Grace Church
Walking with Jesus - #1 Jesus INCARNATED on Earth
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Today marks the start of our new series, Walking with Jesus!
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him. This series will take place over several years, similar to what we've been doing with the life of the Apostle Paul each summer.
The focus of this series is to look at the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. We'll slowly and simply examine the life of the Lord, from His first movements to His last and it will be as though we were walking alongside Him. This series will take place over several years, similar to what we've been doing with the life of the Apostle Paul each summer.
In the past few decades there have been numerous movies and television shows about time travel.
Questions: If you could go back to the time in which Christ lived, and walk with Jesus, would you want to?
If so, is there anything in particular that you would want to experience, see, or talk about with him?
If not, what period of time would you want to go back to, who would you like to meet, and what would you talk about?
Questions: If you could go back to the time in which Christ lived, and walk with Jesus, would you want to?
If so, is there anything in particular that you would want to experience, see, or talk about with him?
If not, what period of time would you want to go back to, who would you like to meet, and what would you talk about?
As fascinating as that would all be, it just isn't possible. But our heavenly Father wanted us to know Him...and His Son. So God presented the life and times of Jesus through four different writings called the Gospels.
We'll start at the beginning, John 1:1-4.
We'll start at the beginning, John 1:1-4.
As you read further in John 1, you learn that this is a direct reference to Jesus. This passage conveys numerous facts including His identity, His shared nature of deity, He is preexistent, Jesus is the creator, and He is the sustaining force of all life including mankind.
Jesus has always been and always will be in Heaven. But for a period of time, the Lord lived here upon Earth in human form, which is what we're looking at today.
The Gospel accounts and other passages in the New Testament explain this.
Philippians 2:6-8 [The Message]
Jesus has always been and always will be in Heaven. But for a period of time, the Lord lived here upon Earth in human form, which is what we're looking at today.
The Gospel accounts and other passages in the New Testament explain this.
Philippians 2:6-8 [The Message]
Illustration of Incarnation:
Suppose a king wants to identify with the poorest in his country.
1.One way he could do it would be to disguise himself as a beggar and move among them. However, in this situation he is only pretending to be a beggar; he can go back to the castle at night, and he still has all the resources of a king.
2.On the other hand, the king could renounce his throne and give away everything and become a beggar. But in this case, he would cease to be a king.
3.A third option is that he could, for a time, give up the use of all his resources for a set period of time—let’s say 3 1/2 years—knowing that at the end of that time he would once again resume the throne.
In this last situation, he truly is both a beggar and a King!
Suppose a king wants to identify with the poorest in his country.
1.One way he could do it would be to disguise himself as a beggar and move among them. However, in this situation he is only pretending to be a beggar; he can go back to the castle at night, and he still has all the resources of a king.
2.On the other hand, the king could renounce his throne and give away everything and become a beggar. But in this case, he would cease to be a king.
3.A third option is that he could, for a time, give up the use of all his resources for a set period of time—let’s say 3 1/2 years—knowing that at the end of that time he would once again resume the throne.
In this last situation, he truly is both a beggar and a King!
This Biblical truth is known by the word Incarnation. It literally means: "the act of being made flesh."
Jesus is one person with two natures which are inseparably united - a human nature and a divine nature.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
This understanding is critical to understanding the life and mission of the man we know as Jesus. And it's equally important to understand because it forms the foundation of our Christian faith - what we believe and how we are to live.
Jesus is one person with two natures which are inseparably united - a human nature and a divine nature.
Jesus is fully God and fully man.
This understanding is critical to understanding the life and mission of the man we know as Jesus. And it's equally important to understand because it forms the foundation of our Christian faith - what we believe and how we are to live.
Today we'll look at seven practical implications that incarnation has for our lives today.
First - To FULFILL Old Testament prophecy.
John 5:39
There are some 300 Old Testament prophecies about the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.
First - To FULFILL Old Testament prophecy.
John 5:39
There are some 300 Old Testament prophecies about the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.
Second - To REVEAL the nature of God to mankind.
John 1:18
John 1:18
Third - To PROVIDE an example for living.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Peter 2:21
1 John 2:6
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Peter 2:21
1 John 2:6
Fourth - To OFFER a sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 10:1-10 [NLT]
In Hebrews 10 the author is describing how the Jewish religion used animal sacrifices in a symbolic way to cover over their sin. But it didn't do away with sin because the penalty for human sin must be paid by a human. It was for this reason that Jesus sacrificed His sinless life.
Hebrews 10:1-10 [NLT]
In Hebrews 10 the author is describing how the Jewish religion used animal sacrifices in a symbolic way to cover over their sin. But it didn't do away with sin because the penalty for human sin must be paid by a human. It was for this reason that Jesus sacrificed His sinless life.
Fifth - To DESTROY the works of Satan.
Hebrews 2:14-16
Hebrews 2:14-16
Sixth - To FUNCTION as our Mediator and High Priest.
1 Timothy 2:5
Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 5:1-10; 7:25
1 Timothy 2:5
Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 5:1-10; 7:25
Seventh - To DEMONSTRATE the nature of our mission.
John 20:21b [ESV]
Jesus demonstrated the need to have a new set of priorities in order to accomplish the mission of His Father.
Incarnation for you and I means that we willingly leave our comfort zone and represent the Lord to those who are in our life path. Care for them, offer prayer for them, and share the Gospel with them.
John 20:21b [ESV]
Jesus demonstrated the need to have a new set of priorities in order to accomplish the mission of His Father.
Incarnation for you and I means that we willingly leave our comfort zone and represent the Lord to those who are in our life path. Care for them, offer prayer for them, and share the Gospel with them.
This week:
1. Read and pray over Philippians 2:6-8 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
2. What progress have you made using the “Circles of Concern” (from December 29th service) to identify 6 people and the Proclaiming Graphics that were provided?
3. Browse some of the points and passages in today’s message that weren’t talked about and allow God’s Spirit to guide your thoughts.
1. Read and pray over Philippians 2:6-8 until you can answer three questions:
a) What did God say? (The meaning of the passage in your own words)
b) What is God saying to you? (Specifically, what is God telling you to do?)
c) What will you say about this passage to someone? (Think of one person)
2. What progress have you made using the “Circles of Concern” (from December 29th service) to identify 6 people and the Proclaiming Graphics that were provided?
3. Browse some of the points and passages in today’s message that weren’t talked about and allow God’s Spirit to guide your thoughts.
Proclaiming Graphics
https://gc3.org/proclaiming-graphics/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held on January 26th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
January/February Grace U Classes
Freed-Up Financial with Brian Krauss and John Mater 8:30 am on Sunday mornings beginning January 5th This class provides a Biblical perspective of stewardship as well as skills to help you control your finances in a God honoring way. The book can be purchased online or in CJ's ($10). Child care is offered if you sign-up by December 29th and note that you need child care. Foundations 1 with David Smith Sundays at 9:00 am beginning January 5th This class takes you deeper into the basic doctrines of the Bible. The book will be available in CJ's soon. Child care is offered if you sign-up by December 29th and note that you need child care. Get Out of the Boat 1 with Aaron Smith Monday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm beginning January 6th. This class will help you to respond to God's call to live with greater faith. The book can be purchased online or in CJ's ($12).
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Read the Bible this year
Pastor Don is encouraging us to "THRIVE in 25." Part of Thriving in your faith in 2025 will include time spent in God's Word. We encourage you to read through the Bible this year by using the Bible Project plan "One Story that leads to Jesus" on the YouVersion Bible app.
You can find this plan at the link below.
Contact Lisa Sterkenburg (lisa@gc3.org) if you have questions.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/22273Marriage Conference
Jeff and Mary Burpee would like to invite all couples of the church to prayerfully consider attending the Never Alone Marriage Conference on February 7th and 8th at Peace Church in Middleville, MI. This conference is designed to encourage and equip married couples in their journey with Christ. The keynote speakers are Jimmy and Kelly Needham. Registration is $99 per couple through January 26th. After that it is $125 per couple. To learn more and to register, visit the link below. If you'd like to talk with Jeff and Mary more about this, you can email them (jburp24@gmail.com).
https://www.peacechurch.cc/marriageconWednesday Nights in CJ's
CJ's coffee shop will be open on Wednesday nights 6:00-7:30 pm. This is a great time to invite others and "pull up a chair" to have conversations.
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Monday, January 6th - Jeff Fisher, Braxton Dykhouse
Tuesday, January 7th - Jenny Krauss, Avery Simons
Friday, January 10th - Belinda Harwood
Tuesday, January 7th - Jenny Krauss, Avery Simons
Friday, January 10th - Belinda Harwood