Completing the Incarnation

INCARNATION - Dios con Carne (God with flesh)
Matt. 1:23 John 1:1, 14 Col. 1:15 (a) Col. 1:19 Col. 2:9

Question: Why would God become a man?
A. The General Answer is: it was the best way and only way to accomplish His purpose(s)
B. The Specific Answer is: God became man to:

#1. Reveal truth. further revelation of God and man, origin and destiny, life and death, heaven and hell, right and wrong

#2. Redeem man ie: buy back - through the sacrifice of the cross
He didn't just pay the penalty, but bought us back.

#3. Reconcile God and man - salvation plus intimacy. An Abba/Father relationship between God and his people

#4. Model humanity (as it should be) - Therefore, "what would Jesus do" should lead to "what should I do?"

#5. Minister God's grace - Acts 10:38 - so when touched by Christ, are touched by God.

#6. Establish His Kingdom - ON earth ..... until the end...

#7, Offer hope. - certainty, expectation. Based on His words and works.
So, when 'life happens', we can have confidence... in God and in the outcome.

Therefore, Remember Him, celebrate Him, worship Him - especially at Christmas.

BUT, Question??? Is the work of the incarnation done? Is it complete?
Answer: Yes - John 17:4 The work of the incarnation is complete.
However: No - Acts 1:1 - The work begun at the incarnation is not complete.

Question? So how is it to be done?
Answer: by the hands of His people!! God has chosen to do it this way. So what Christ started is to be finished by us.

So, go back through the list..... and see
Your part in the works of incarnation.

#1. Revelation?- on one hand, the Canon of Scripture is closed. However, not all people have heard!! The Great Commission - Matt. 28:19-20 - teach, make disciples - We're to be His hands, feet, and mouth.

#2. Redemption? - The work of redemption is completed. John 19:30 However, are all saved?? Therefore, there should be personal evangelism.

#3. Reconciliation? - The bridge is built, but not all people have: A. crossed the bridge
B. established a relationship with Him

#4. Modeling the faith? - preachers and Christians. We're here to model Christ. He's being revealed through His people's behavior.

#5. Ministering Grace? - 1 Pet. 4:10 - when touched by His people, touched by God.

#6. Building the Kingdom? - this is more than individual salvation. God has called us to Social Transformation. We're to be Salt & Light, and Make A Difference

#7. Dispensing Hope? - this hope is not just idle notion, empty sentiment, feel good faith, etc.
but, a certainty, assurance, confidence BASED ON the truth of His Word(s)
There's lots of false hope around.

Stay balanced here!! On on hand, you ARE NOT God in the flesh.
you ARE NOT Christ incarnate
But, on the other hand, you are (to some degree) His hands, feet, presence..

Christmas day is a great time to give "self" fully to Him, His work.
A better time is today!! (so you can be His hands and feet through the Christmas season).