A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Monday, December
17, 2018
Note: Last week we did a series on words:
This
week our messages will all be on "The Incarnate
Word". These messages may tend to be a bit more
theological in nature than many of our messages!
"The
Incarnate
Word"
(Part
1)
Message
summary:
This
week, as we can so
easily get distracted by
all the preparations for
Christmas, let us not
lose our focus on the
incarnate Word.
Listen to our
message on your audio
player.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Christ, by
highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting
Lord
Late in time behold Him come, off-spring of a Virgin’s womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail, the incarnate deity Pleased as Man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the New-born king!” In the Bible the word "word" usually means just as we mostly use it today, to describe the words of our mouth, verbal communication. Last week's series used it in this sense. Another common use in the Bible is the "Word of God" describing God's communication to the human race; at times verbally, at other times through His written Word, the Bible. But this week let us examine a very specialized use of the Word in Scripture describing Christ's incarnation. In the course of studying for this message I discovered there is a "University of the Incarnate Word" a private Catholic university in Texas. Incarnate is a word most of us probably use exclusively in a theological sense and that indeed is its origin. Incarnate means "invested with bodily and especially human nature and form, made manifest or comprehensible". In Christian theology, the doctrine of the incarnation holds that Jesus, the pre-existent divine Logos (the Koine Greek for "Word") and the second person of the Trinity, God the Son and Son of the Father, taking on a human body and human nature, 'was made flesh' and conceived in the womb of Mary. The word, "incarnate" comes from the Latin verb "incarnare" which means "to make flesh". When we say that Jesus Christ is God "Incarnate", we mean that the Son of God took on a fleshly, bodily form (John 1:14). John begins His gospel with the same three words as the first verse in the Bible in Genesis 1:1; "In the beginning". Three times this short verse refers to the incarnate Word. The Word (Greek Logos) is a title for Jesus as the communication and the revealer of God the Father. The Incarnate Word Is Eternally God "In the beginning was the Word" The infant we focus on is infinite. Verse 2 states, "He was with God in the beginning". Christ is pre-existent. I recall a lesson many years ago pointing out that in this text there is no definite article in the first clause although it is added in English versions for readability. Ἐν ἀρχῇ. Our teacher felt this was significant since Jesus existed all through eternity without a definite beginning such as there was at the Creation. The Incarnate Word Is Equally God "and the Word was with God" Christ is co-existent. The Incarnate Word Is Essentially God "and the Word was God" Christ is self-existent. Pastor Steven Cole writes that "John wants us to stand in awe of Jesus as God and as the One who reveals the unseen God to us, just as a word reveals an unseen thought. It is foundational to the Christian faith and crucial to your personal faith that you understand and embrace the truth that Jesus Christ is fully God." This week, as we can so easily get distracted by all the preparations for Christmas, let us not lose our focus on the incarnate Word. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, how grateful we are that Jesus left the splendor of heaven knowing His destiny was the lowly hill of Golgotha there to lay down His life for me. Not only did He lay down His life for me, but He revealed Your character, Father God, and made it manifest in the flesh so that I could more fully understand and relate to the Triune Godhead. Jesus, the incarnate Word, is eternally God, equally God and essentially God made known to us in the flesh and blood person of Jesus Christ who gave His all for us. We will be grateful for all eternity. Amen. We want to thank all who
have financially supported our
ministry this past year (and some for
many years!). We realize there are many
fine ministries and causes requesting
support at this time but if the Lord
would lead you we surely need and
appreciate the financial support from
our readers and listeners. Like
many ministries, we typically see a
spike in giving at the end of the year
for which we are most thankful.
Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information. To donate directly online here. This will open to a page that designates the offering to: WEBER,STEPHEN CHAP, Specialized Chaplaincy Ministry ID: 700001-237376 Please Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber" Thank you Stephen & Brooksyne Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Hark The Herald"
Video
Greater Vision
"O
Word of God Incarnate"
Video
Jeff Pardo
"Jesus Messiah"
Video
Gaither Vocal
Band
"Love Incarnate"
Video
Stuart Townend
"Love Came Down at
Christmas" Video
Lyrics from Discovery House
Today's outline points
are from a sermon by
Ken Boa
Further study: What does
incarnate mean? How was Jesus
God incarnate? and What is the
meaning of the Incarnation of
Christ? (from
gotquestions.org)
Resources
for
Christmas Celebrations
(We
will leave these resources
posted below our daily
messages through Christmas
Day)
Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. For many years Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. It is suitable for a church or family gathering "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test "Christmas in Heaven"
Video
Scotty
McCreery Probably a bit
syrupy for some but a source of
comfort for those who have lost a
loved one this past year. I heard
this song on Saturday on the
Gospel greats with Paul Heil
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.) Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact. Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version. Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." © Copyright 2018 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |