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Being in Awe of Jesus Introduction: A.
We
should be in awe of Jesus 1. 2. The gospel truth is that… a) JESUS IS GOD b) JESUS BECAME HUMAN c) JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR d) JESUS IS LORD B. Have you ever been brought down to size? 1. a) One afternoon, former Vice President Dan Quayle was driving home after picking up his daughter Corinne from school. At a red light, a fellow motorist pulled alongside and rolled down his window. "You’re a double for Dan Quayle!" he shouted. b) "Gee, I hope I don’t look like that guy," Quayle replied, jokingly. c) "Yeah," the man shot back. "I know what you mean." 2. I don’t know about you, but I would rather not be humbled. a) I dislike being brought low. b) I hate to be embarrassed. c) And I don’t like putting myself in a situation that makes me look bad. C. The Christmas Story 1. But Jesus was willing to do the unnatural thing – the supernatural thing - to bring Himself low. 2. Jesus was willing to humble Himself, even to the point of death on the cross. 3. Have you ever wondered what it was like in heaven before the first Christmas? 4. Have you ever considered what it was like for Jesus before He came to earth? a) He was the Co-creator with the Father and Holy Spirit. b) Life in heaven was characterized by all that was perfect, including the ideal relationship they had with each other. c) It was a way of life characterized by true joy. d) Jesus had a limitless existence with all the glory and privilege at His disposal. e) And what did Jesus choose to do? He chose to leave all that. f) Because of the love He had for His creation, He decided to come to earth for you and me. 5. WE SHOULD BE IN AWE OF JESUS. a) And today, I want to share with you why… 6. a) 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I.
Jesus
is God (vv. 5-6) The first truth is that JESUS IS GOD. A.
The
Nature of Jesus 1. Throughout history, and even now, the nature of Jesus continues to be debated.… 2. Many articles have appeared in Newsweek and Time over the years, Jesus is always considered to be one of the great religious leaders of all time. a) He is placed alongside Buddha, Confucius, Moses, and Mohammed. (1) All their websites mention Jesus and compare them to some worldly view of Him! (2) Doug Gresham – when you search for truth, you will run head on into Jesus! b) But the Bible does not place Jesus alongside religious leaders! c) The Bible says that Jesus, by His very nature, is God! 3. Jesus was in the form of God. a) “form” = “morphe” = shape or nature - that which is essential to one’s nature and character b) Form is an outward expression of an inward reality. c) Paul understands that Jesus is the outward expression of the inward essence of God. d) What He is today, He has always been and will always be. e) He is always possessing what is required for Him to be God. 4. Paul describes this in Colosians 1:15-20… (NLT) 15Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. 16Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. 17He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together. 18Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything. 19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. a) Note again…for in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. b) This means that… B. Jesus is “God with us” (Matthew 1. He is Immanuel – God with us. a) And throughout His life, He proved it. b) He gave signs for those that were willing to see them. c) He calmed a storm, establishing His authority over nature. d) He cast out demons, demonstrating authority over the spiritual realm. e) He healed cripples, signifying His authority over disease. f) He even raised Lazarus out of his grave, proving that He had authority over death. 2. Jesus is Immanuel - God with us - Jesus is God. II.
Jesus
Became a Human (vv. 7-8) The second truth is that JESUS BECAME HUMAN. Paul states that Jesus was found in appearance as a man. The apostle John also described
the same phenomenon (John And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… ILL : Jesus (Nixon greatest moment) When President Nixon was the
president of the God walked the earth. And when He did in the form of Jesus, it was both extraordinary and ordinary. A.
Limitations
1. Jesus imposed limitations on His earthly appearance. 2. As the text says, “He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” 3. For 33 years, the privileges of being God in glory were set aside and He became limited by space and time. a) In the person of Jesus, God experienced flesh and bones. b) He suffered and grieved. c) He got thirsty and hungry. d) He was frustrated and disappointed. e) He could no longer be everywhere at one time. f) He had to have clothes to wear. g) If you hit Him, it would hurt. h) If you cut him, He bled. B. Humility 1. Never underestimate the humility of the Incarnation! 2. When we see the pictures of Christmas, the pictures all look so pristine. a) There was no sweat, or disheveled clothing. b) But that was not how it was… c) God was born to peasants among all the smells that come with being in a barn. d) God was born. e) Birth is messy, painful f) Jesus was right there in the middle of it. g) Then He was placed in a feeding trough – a manger 3. If that was not humble enough for you, Jesus was born to a carpenter’s family in an occupied country. a) His
parents lived in b) His mission as an adult was to communicate God to people. c) But He had little success in numbers of people. d) Jesus, so righteous and just, yet so radical that He was hated and condemned by every traditional religious authority. e) Then He was betrayed by His closest friends, brought up on false charges, tried before a prejudiced people and a cowardly judge. f) Is that humiliating enough for you? 4. Jesus became human for a reason. a) If
you look closely a cross can be seen in the III.
Jesus
is Our Savior (vv. 7-8) The third truth is that JESUS IS OUR SAVIOR. A.
Jesus
shows us His love 1. Jesus goes to the extreme to show us His love. a) He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant. Why? b) Because humans were given a perfect place to live; but we messed it up. c) We were given the opportunity to live for God; we messed that up too. d) We were given law to live by, but we did not have the ability to do it. 2. So
to help us, Jesus became one of us, to serve us (Mark a) You see, Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. b) Jesus came all the way from heaven to save us from the penalty of sin. c) 19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. 21This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, 22yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23But you must continue to believe this truth and stand in it firmly. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. 3. Jesus did not come to be recognized or praised by the world. a) He did not seek the prestige of this world. b) He made Himself of no reputation. c) But instead of appreciating this and embracing Him, people reject Him. d) The people of His day wanted a king, not a servant. e) No one really listened, not even His own disciples! B. Jesus was “born that man no more may
die.” 1. Jesus was born to die in our place. a) Lord Jesus, You are my righteousness, I am Your sin; You have taken upon Yourself what was mine. You have set upon me what was Yours. You have become what You were not That I might become what I was not. b) (1) One ant said, “Dad, who is Jesus?” (2) The father ant replied, “He’s the reason for the season.” (3) The next panel says, “But Dad, I thought Santa Claus was the reason.” (4) And the father ant replies, “He is - if you prefer Nintendo to everlasting life.” IV. Jesus is Lord (vv. 9-11) The fourth truth is that JESUS IS LORD. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. A.
The
Contrast 1. We must note the contrast of the Incarnation and the Exaltation. 2. Jesus went from a birth in a smelly stable to the highest place imaginable. 3. Jesus was once a weak, helpless baby, but now is the ruler and Lord of the universe. B. Lordship: both a universal and a personal
issue 1. What we have done so far here today just scratches the surface about Jesus. 2. Nevertheless, a personal decision about Jesus is still required. 3. For we know enough! 4. a) He’s enduringly strong, (1) He’s entirely sincere, (2) He’s eternally steadfast. (3) He’s immortally graceful. (4) He’s imperially powerful. (5) He’s impartially merciful. (6) He’s God’s Son. (7) He’s a sinner’s savior. (8) He’s the centerpiece of civilization. (9) He stands alone in Himself. (10)He’s unparalleled. (11)He’s unprecedented. (12)He’s supreme. (13)He’s preeminent. (14)He’s the loftiest idea in literature. (15)He’s the highest idea in philosophy. (16)He’s the fundamental truth in theology. (17)He’s the miracle of the age. (18)He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. (19)He supplies strength for the weak. (20)He’s available for the tempted and the tried. (21)He sympathizes and He saves. (22)He guards and He guides. (23)He heals the sick, (24)He cleans the lepers. (25)He forgives sinners, (26)He discharges debtors, (27)He delivers captives, (28)He defends the feeble, (29)He blesses the young, (30)He serves the unfortunate, (31)He regards the aged, (32)He rewards the diligent, (33)He beautifies the meek. (34)Do you know Him? b) Well, my king is the king of knowledge, (1) He’s the well-spring of wisdom, (2) He’s the doorway of deliverance, (3) He’s the pathway of peace, (4) He’s the roadway of righteousness, (5) He’s the highway of holiness (6) He’s the gateway of glory, (7) He’s the master of the mighty, (8) He’s the captain of the conquerors, (9) He’s the head of the heroes, (10)He’s the leader of the legislators, (11)He’s the overseer of the overcomers, (12)He’s the governor of governors, (13)He’s the prince of princes, (14)He’s the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords. c) His life is matchless. (1) His goodness is limitless. (2) His mercy is everlasting. (3) His love never changes. (4) His word is enough. (5) His grace is sufficient. (6) His reign is righteous. (7) His yoke is easy and His burden is light. d) Well, I wish I could describe Him to you. (1) But He’s indescribable. (2) Yes. He’s incomprehensible. (3) He’s invincible, (4) He’s irresistible. (5) I’m trying to tell you, the Heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explain Him. (6) You can’t get Him out of your mind. (7) You can’t get Him off of your hands. (8) You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. (9) Well, the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. (10)Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. (11)Herod couldn’t kill Him. (12)Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. (13)That’s my king! e) He always has been, and He always will be. (1) I’m talking about He [who] had no predecessor and He [who] has no successor. (2) There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. (3) You can’t impeach Him, and He’s not going to resign. (4) We try to get prestige and honor and glory to ourselves, but the glory is all His. (5) Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, and ever, and ever, and ever. (a) How long is that? (b) And ever, and ever, and ever, and ever, and when you get through with all of the forevers, then Amen. f) Oh I wish I could describe him to you. g) Do you know Him? He is so worth knowing! C. Conclusion If you do know Him, let me ask a question – Are you in awe of Jesus?… 1. He has given us the example. a) He has demonstrated self-sacrifice. b) He has shown us love. c) This kind of act seems to be supernatural! 2. But you know, if Jesus had looked at things the way we do, we would never have had Christmas. 3.
Are
you in awe of Jesus? a) He is truly awesome! b) He has gone all out to demonstrate His love for us. c) Jesus set aside the powers and comforts of heaven to come on earth to walk as a man. d) It is that kind of love that deserves worship e) Let your heart declare today that Jesus is the Lord of your life. f) Be in awe of Jesus - He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! |
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