Subject: Apologetics: Know What You Believe & Why #10 Title: What If God Became a Man? Why? Texts: Matthew 1:22-23 Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. What If God Became a Man? We have spoken about several of the most important truths of the historic, orthodox, Christian faith: God, God the Creator, the Love of God, the Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit, Sin, Hell and others. We have posed each of these truths in the form of a What if? question. In each case we believe these what if s to be true and have looked to bring a practical application of each to our lives. Today we conclude this series with the thought, what if God became a man? Of course our whole Christmas celebration centers around the birth of Jesus Christ - the God-man. We believe that He indeed came to this Earth. God became a man, born of a virgin. God clothed in flesh. The big question is Why? That is the focus of our thoughts today. Why did Christ come? Why did God become a man, a God-man? What was the purpose? What did He gain? What do we stand to gain? Why? It is an incredible story - that God became a man, but the why s may have even greater significance. I. Jesus Came to Reveal God to Man Historically God has revealed Himself to mankind in several ways: * Creation (Romans 1:19-20); Psalm 19) * Appearances: Adam, Abraham, Jacob, etc. * Dreams (Genesis 20:3; 31:11, etc.) * The Word of God * Innate Sense of Being God has revealed God to man in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...8-9 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world...14 And the Word was made fl esh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. I Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the fl esh, justifi ed in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Jesus is God incarnate (in flesh). 1
II. Jesus Came to Reveal Man to Himself The God-man, Jesus Christ, is perfect, sinless, undefi led and separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26), although He has the nature of a man. In declaring God or revealing God to us, we are confronted by His holiness and righteousness. All men are sinners. All men are corrupt. All men are not equally corrupt, but all men are equally dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and in need of spiritual life and God s forgiveness. Christ came to reveal God s standard of sinlessness and show that all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Jesus Christ. When comparing ourselves to one another, we may feel justified and good about ourselves. Men having seen the light of God in Christ, rejected the light, for darkness. Christ s righteousness exposes man s fallenness. III. Jesus Came to Redeem Man from the Penalty of Sin Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. - Jesus came to reveal God to man. - Jesus came to reveal man to himself. - Jesus came to redeem man from the penalty of his sin. 2
IV. Jesus Came to Restrain Satan and Procure Final Victory over Him Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man...14-15 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of fl esh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. II Timothy 1:9-10 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. V. Jesus Came to Rescue All of Creation All of God s creation has been tainted by the sin of man. Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the fi rstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Colossians 1:16 -...all things were created by Him and for Him (Jesus). Creation began in harmony. The fall brought a curse and disharmony in God s creation. That harmony will be restored as all of creation is rescued in the cross of Christ. The curse will be lifted and a new creation will emerge. Salvation effects all of creation. VI. Jesus Came to Restore the Nation of Israel God made several unconditional covenants with His elect people, the nation of Israel. 3
The nation of Israel has been judged for their rebellion and disobedience, but there will be a national revival and acceptance of their Messiah yet in the future. The promises to Israel have not been given to another. Israel s present rejection has brought salvation to the Gentiles, but the promises to Israel have not been negated. Romans 11:1-2 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel... 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Many of the Old Testament prophets predict the literal restoration of the nation of Israel. The Jewish nation lives in darkness today, but in Messiah, their future is very bright. Zechariah 8:3 Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. 4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 6 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; 8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness. VII. Jesus Came to Reign as King Jesus was born King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2). Zechariah wrote of the coming of the King in Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 2:6, Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Jesus came to be the King of Israel, that He might be King of all the Earth. The nation rejected their King. Romans Chapters 9, 10 and 11 record the failure and future of Israel. He will come again. 4
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. He is coming again: Revelation 19. Conclusion At this time of year we not only celebrate His first coming, but we celebrate and expect His second coming. His first coming was intentionally humble and with little fanfare. His second coming will be much different. Just as Christ fulfilled the prophesies of His first coming, we believe that He will come to fulfill those of His second coming. * Jesus came to reveal God to man. * Jesus came to reveal man to Himself. * Jesus came to redeem man from sin. * Jesus came to restrain Satan and procure final victory. * Jesus came to rescue all of creation. * Jesus came to restore the nation of Israel. * Jesus came to reign as King on Earth. All these are vitally important but none more important than to redeem man from the penalty of sin. 5