Series Summary
The Incarnation – when God became human in the person of Jesus Christ – is the fullest example of God’s profound love and desire to redeem and restore humanity. Jesus is eternal, one with God the Father, and yet when he took on flesh, he became fully human, even while still being fully divine. In doing so, he bridged the gap that separated us from God. In the Incarnation, Jesus became one of us, entered into our suffering, shared in our experiences, and made a way for our salvation, through his life, death, and resurrection.
At Christmas, celebrating the Incarnation carries deep significance. It reminds us of the hope, peace, and joy that come with God’s presence among mankind. This Christmas, we will look at how Jesus is eternal in nature, how he is both fully human and fully God, and what that means for us as Christians. And as we do so, we’ll find more and more reasons to celebrate, not only his birth, but also the transformative power of God’s love shown most clearly in the cry of a baby.
It may be a profound mystery, but in Christ, the mystery has been revealed! In Jesus, we see God’s plan, why it matters, and how we can live in response. So we invite you to join us this Christmas season, and marvel at the Incarnation and its call to respond in faith, worship, and imitation of Christ.
Sermon Summary
Matthew 1 beautifully presents the dual natures of Jesus – His full humanity and complete divinity – offering us a profound glimpse into the miracle of the incarnation. The chapter begins with a detailed genealogy, grounding Jesus in human history as a descendant of Abraham and David. This lineage is filled with flawed and diverse individuals, reminding us that Jesus fully embraced the human experience, including its brokenness. He didn’t come to a sanitized or perfect world; He came to redeem it. His human nature makes Him relatable and accessible to us, allowing Him to be our perfect representative before God.
At the same time, Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature through the miraculous circumstances of His birth. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Jesus’ origin transcends human limitations. This divine intervention fulfills ancient prophecies, declaring that He is “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Through Jesus, God steps directly into the human story in a way that changes everything. His divine nature assures us that He is not only able to save us but also worthy of our worship and faith.
This message of the dual natures of Jesus is one of hope and transformation. Because He is fully human, He understands our struggles, pains, and weaknesses. Because He is fully divine, He has the power to overcome sin, death, and every obstacle we face. Matthew 1 is an invitation to marvel at the God who chose to come close to us and to find our place in His unfolding story of redemption. And if you are willing to hear, it can help shape your own life and faith.