Advent: The Incarnation: Word Made Flesh
This is the first sermon in our Advent series on the Incarnation. This sermon is “Word Made Flesh”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 1:1-14
Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church · The Rev'd Adam Lowe
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Show Notes
Sermon & Small Group Resources
This is the first sermon in our Advent series on the Incarnation. This sermon is “Word Made Flesh”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 1:1-14
DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this Week
BIBLE READING: John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of 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.
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
CONNECT: When you are facing challenge, what most helps you to stand firm and depend on the Lord?
WARM-UP
When was the last time that you experienced a sense of ʻwonderʼ? What is at the heart of wonder?
What is the ʻincarnationʼ? How is verse John 1:14 a brilliant summary of this event and good news?
Read John 1:1-5
What are the opening words in Johnʼs Gospel? What do they remind you of?
Who is the Word? What is the Word like? When did the Word begin?
What are the ways in which John points to the Sonʼs eternal nature? How is he uniquely qualified to bring us life?
What is the darkness? How have you experienced that? How is Godʼs light greater than the darkness?
Read John 1:6-14
How human did the Son become? What evidence do we have that the Son was not merely masquerading as a human, but truly human?
Do you think people struggle more with Jesusʼ humanity or divinity? Why do you think that is the case?
Do you ever emphasise Jesusʼ humanity over his divinity (or vice versa)? What could be the effect?
How is God becoming human a big ʻYESʼ to our humanity and physical world?
What does John mean by the Word making his dwelling among us? How is it related to the tabernacle?
What are the implications of Jesus dwelling with us? What significance does that have for you?
What are the ways that people try to “find God”? How is it through Jesus that we can meet with God?
Re-Read verse 12. What is the status we can receive from Jesus? How do we become ʻchildren of Godʼ?
What are the types of filters that prevent or inhibit us from seeing who Jesus is fully? Do you have any filters that particularly are a struggle for you?
What could help you this year to let the wonder of the incarnation interrupt your life more?
APPLY: What is one practical way (this advent) that can help you to grow in the wonder of the incarnation?
PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the tremendous news that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Help us to grow in our wonder of this truth, that Jesus may take a bigger grip on our lives. Amen.
GOING DEEPER
On Your Frontline This Week: Who are you going to invite to CAROLS? Of all events in the year - this is the simplest invite! Maybe you could invite a neighbour, family friend, colleague or someone youʼve just met.
Listen, Watch, and Read:
LISTEN: In the Beginning by Tim Keller
SERIES Resources:
Grow as Families
Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.
Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray
High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions
Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk
eBook: Watch the eBook