206. The Word Became Flesh: Immanuel, “God with us”.

9 October 2021
“God is not a man.”

Numbers 23 NLT
19 “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Acts 17
23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.


The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14

Immanuel, “God with us”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:22-23

From "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel, pages 143-144 and 157-158

"9: THE PROFILE EVIDENCE
Did Jesus Fulfill the Attributes of God?

Here's how: The Old Testament provides numerous details about God that sketch out in great specificity what he's like. For instance, God is described as omnipresent, or existing everywhere in the universe; as omniscient, or knowing everything that can be known throughout eternity; as omnipotent, or all-powerful; as eternal, or being both beyond time and the source of all time; and as immutable, or unchanging in his attributes. He's loving, he's holy, he's righteous, he's wise, he's just.

Now, Jesus claims to be God. But does he fulfill these
characteristics of deity? In other words, if we examine Jesus carefully, does his likeness closely match the sketch of God that we find elsewhere in the Bible? If it doesn't, we can conclude that his claim to being God is false.

THE EIGHTH INTERVIEW: DONALD A. CARSON, PH.D.

MATCHING THE SKETCH OF GOD
Carson and I talked, sometimes in animated tones, for two hours, filling more tapes than would fit in this chapter. I found his answers to be well reasoned and theologically sound. In the end, however, how the Incarnation works-how Spirit takes on flesh-remained a mind boggling concept.
Even so, according to the Bible, the fact that it did occur is not in any doubt. Every attribute of God, says the New Testament, is found in Jesus Christ:
+ Omniscience? In John 16:30 the apostle John affirms of Jesus, "Now we can see that you know all things."
+ Omnipresence? Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, "Surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age" and in Matthew 18:20, "Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
+ Omnipotence? "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," Jesus said in Matthew 28:18.
+ Eternality? John 1:1 declares of Jesus, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 
+ Immutability? Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Also, the Old Testament paints a portrait of God by using such titles and descriptions as Alpha and Omega, Lord, Savior, King,
Judge, Light, Rock, Redeemer, Shepherd, Creator, giver of life, forgiver of sin, and speaker with divine authority. It's fascinating to note that in the New Testament each and every one is applied to Jesus.
Jesus said it all in John 14:7: "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well." Loose translation: "When you look at the sketch of God from the Old Testament, you will see a likeness of me."

Questions for Reflection
Read Philippians 2:5-8, which talks about Jesus emptying himself and being born into humble circumstances, with the cross as his destination. What are some possible motivations for Jesus to do this? 
Then read verses 9-11. What happens as a result of
Jesus' mission? What could prompt everyone to someday conclude that Jesus is Lord?"

When we look at the sketch of God from the Old Testament, we see a likeness of Jesus.


Has God ever promised and not carried it through?

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, Immanuel, “God with us”.

""Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14).
LORD Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you (Psalm 84:12)." This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

4 February 2018"

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.

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