Living the incarnational life (Feb 3rd 06)

CHINESE NEW YEAR COUPLET

Also Known as "Chun Jie" or "Spring Festival"

<<--Meaning on the left

"Farewell to the cold winter and welcome to the warmth of Spring - the wonder of creation"

Meaning on the Right-->>

'Die to yourself, love others as yourself, the way of Christ"

Living the incarnational life (Feb 3rd 06)

Text: John 1:1-14
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood (or overcome) it. ……..

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[αιμα] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[μονογενους ] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

A. The Uniqueness of Incarnation
* “carnal” is Latin for “flesh”, the New Testament Greek word is “Sarx”
* The Mighty Creator God steps into humanity and became one of us!
* The sinless Son of God, born through the immaculate conception of the Holy Spirit is God’s way of providing a sinless lamb of Go for the sins of the World.
* John 1: 14 “14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us”

B. Incarnation is NOT “reincarnation”
- For Christ – once and for all, the monogenous
- Never before and never after!
- Totally and absolutely unique! – Our God is a God of new creation not re-cycling!
- A Holy & Awesome mystery!
- For Christ – what condescension!
- For us – an example to follow – to live a life of service is just natural (no condescension involves for us – we are just dust “made in the image of God!”

C. What does such awesome truth mean to us?
- Live like Christ – honour him in our lives – not just our lips
- Live for the higher purposes of God
- Live to serve – all creatures big and small, the good and the bad, the pretty and the pretty ugly….
- To go the path of downward mobility – Duppy not Yuppy
- Mission and transformation – Go and live and share our life with the unreached people - Eg Eric Liddell, Jim Elliot etc.

D. The Divine Paradox
-Jesus gave us the fail proof way to live – Read Phil 2:5-11
->> He gave up the Heavenly Glory and came to die for us all. He went down to the lowest of low and God exalted Him to the highest of high!
Closing Story

- Jim Elliot – Martyred at 28 yrs old. But change the tribe from homicidal to mostly Christian – reversed the population declined due to killing –from 500 in 1955 to 2000 plus in present days.
- The Greenpeace activists who is willing to move between the harpoon and the whale
- The US secret agents willingness to take a bullet for the president.
- What kind of believer are you?
- My Pastor during the student days – chased by parangs,
- l My own journey …..etc


Discussion questions

1. Share with us when and where you were born – eg Are you the first, middle or last child? Are you a “surprise” (sounds better than “accidents”) or your parents were planning and expecting your arrival?

2. Why is the “doctrine of incarnation” of the Lord Jesus Christ so important to our faith?


3. In what way is incarnation different to “re-incarnation” of the eastern religions?


4. What does Christ's example taught us to live?


5. Why do people have so many troubles getting along with each other?


6. Can you suggest ways where we can promote a “culture of affirmation” in our community of faith?



7. What do you understand by exhibiting “Christ-like Character”?
What are some of the ways that God used to bring change and transformation of our character?