Lisa Godard (Lisa)

“Incarnation Planned & Promised” - Eph. 1:3-10, Gen.3:15

Do you know that Christmas & what you do w/your life are inseparable?
“Incarnation” - “the act of clothing w/flesh, or the state of being so clothed; the act of taking, or being manifested in, a human body & nature.” Theologically, it is “the union of the 2nd person of the Godhead w/manhood in Christ” (Webster’s).
J. I. Packer (Knowing God) - “The real difficulty, the supreme mystery w/which the gospel confronts us, does not lie [in the virgin birth or the Gospel miracles]…not in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation. The real staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man - that the 2nd person of the Godhead became the ‘2nd man,’ determining human destiny, w/out loss of deity, so that Jesus of Nazareth was as truly & fully divine as He was human.”
God had/has a plan - Ephesians 1:3-10
Jesus Christ is the One who has carried/will carry out the Father’s eternal plan.
But how?
The incarnation.
Genesis 3:15 - The seed of a woman would defeat/crush Satan.
David Gudzik - “There is no doubt this is a prophecy of Jesus’ ultimate defeat of Satan. God announced that Satan would wound the Messiah, but the Messiah would crush Satan…Gen.3:15 has been called the ‘protoevangelium,’ the 1st gospel. For God to see the defeat of Satan at Satan’s 1st flush of victory shows God knew what He was doing all along. God’s plan wasn’t ‘set back’ when Adam & Eve sinned, because God’s plan was to bring forth something greater that man in the innocence of Eden. God wanted more than innocent man; His plan is to bring forth redeemed man.”
Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16
Genesis 49:10 - “until He comes to whom it belongs” (NLT)
The King has come! He broke into humanity thru the womb of a woman, just as God planned & promised.

If from eternity past God planned the redemption of fallen man & to bring all things together in Christ, then don’t you want to be on the right side of that plan?

If Jesus, God incarnate, is He to whom tribute belongs, is King of kings & Lord of lords, then shouldn’t you & I focus our whole lives, existence upon Him?

If the eternal, almighty, holy God would take on human flesh to carry out His eternal plan & bring whoever will believe into relationship w/Him for eternity future, then shouldn’t that relationship with Him be what our lives are about?

Title: The sin nature will help you bring glory to God

Passage: Gal 2:20 (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The sin nature will work in cahoots with me.

It will work gladly with me.

-It will not fight me if I want to make my flesh do great things for God

- It will not stop me from striving to make my flesh please God.

Rom 7:18 (ESV) For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

Rom 8:8 (ESV) Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:3 (ESV) For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

I do not to presume to understand fully who I am.

- Other than that I am a new creation in Christ.

- That I am a Child of the most High God

- That I am covered in the life giving work

- That Christ did in my stead.

- And that I am fully pleasing and loved by God

- Because of my Lord Jesus Christ.

- And that I am now hidden in Christ Jesus

Gal 2:20 (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Gal 5:24 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Eph 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Watchmen Nee - In the book - The Spiritual man.

“The hazard for young believers is to stop short of the putting to death of the power of the flesh in doing good by only knowing what the cross does for the sinful side of the flesh. In so doing they retreat again into the sins of the flesh.” Pg. 116 Watchmen Nee – The Spiritual Man.

Luk 11:13 (ESV) If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

This evil is the sin nature

- It will work beside us hand in hand

- So we may do great things for God

- In a flesh

- That cannot please God

- And in the end will only produce wood, hay and straw

- When Jesus returns

- Because the flesh is incapable of pleasing God

It’s not that God is angry

- At all of our works in and thru the flesh

- But rather the only payment

-He can give us

- For something worthless

- Is wood hay and straw

- Why?

- Because the flesh is incapable of pleasing God

Watchmen Nee again:

“Whether good acts or evil, all are but the expression of the same flesh. If the flesh is not furnished opportunity to sin, it is willing to do good; and if once the opportunity to perform good is provided, the flesh will soon revert to sin. Here satan deceives God’s children. If believers would habitually maintain the attitude of the flesh being crucified satan would have no chance; for the flesh is satan’s work shop.” P. 117 Watchmen Nee – The Spiritual man.

If you have come to know God

- By Faith in Jesus Christ

- Jesus made you God’s Child

- This was an act of God’s Spirit

- With no help from your or my flesh.

- We did not receive this gift

- By striving in the flesh to do the right thing.

But after our rebirth

- That had nothing to do with us

- We go back to striving with the flesh to please God

- A flesh that we are made dead to.

- A flesh that cannot please God.

Paul speaking to the Galatians:

Gal 3:2-3 (ESV) Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Watchmen Nee again

“Who can fathom the deceitfulness and vitality of this self. The flesh opposes the spirit not just in sinning against God, but now even in the matter of serving and pleasing Him. It opposes and quenches the Holy Spirit by leaning upon it’s own strength without wholly relying upon God’s grace and simply being led by the Spirit.” Pg. 109 Watchmen nee – the spiritual man

God would like you to know

- That not only could you not save yourself

He want’s you also to know

- That you are also incapable of doing anything for His Glory.

You and I started this Journey in the Spirit

- Now we must live in the Spirit.

A spiritual presence that changes everything.

A presence that when we are filled

- Makes our sin nature cower. A presence that when we are filled with

- We will be filled with the Joy of the Lord

- that will become our strength A presence that when we are filled with

- We will be filled with a peace

- that passes all understanding

A presence that when we are filled with

- Fills us with His Love

- A love that surpasses knowledge (Eph 3:19)

- A love that overflows to everyone around you and I

- A love that will control us (2 Cor 5:14)

Works that produce Gold, Silver, and precious stones.

- Works that just as our salvation

- we did not do

- But Christ did them thru us

- As we strive to get closer to Him

The only Work in our life that God will accept

- Is the work done by Jesus Christ

- And by His Holy Spirit Because only by seeking God

- And being at His feet

- And letting His presence fill us

- Will we start to change This is not an act of the flesh It is an act of His Spirit

Jesus, I’m so grateful that there was no formula – no secret way to regain my peace. No amount of Bible reading or forced prayer time (on my part) brought this state on. But you in answer to the desperate crying out of my heart came and rescued me from the bondage of works and self spirituality. “No Compromise – Pg. 276 – 2000 edition”

If you don’t know Jesus

-The greatest works of your flesh will never be good enough for God.

-Coming to Jesus is the only way for our salvation.

- Jesus’ work is the only work God will accept

- Because no other work will be adequate for this Holy God.

If you know Jesus as your Savior The greatest works of your flesh will never be good enough for God.

- God sent His only Son

- Not so we can do good works

- But so we can come to Him and really Know Him

- He will fill us with His presence

- And He will do good works thru us

The Holy Spirit’s work is the only work God will accept

- Because no other work will be adequate for this Holy God.

Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son…

Rom 7:25 … but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Paul’s sin nature is not the new Paul

- The sin nature is condemned in the flesh

- Paul’s flesh is not Paul

- Paul was crucifed to it

So as with Paul

- Let us press on for the goal

- The goal Paul explains in Phil 3

- To know Christ more

- Paul’s life’s ambition.

Php 2:12 (ESV)Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Php 2:13 (ESV)for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Because, the only work that God will accept

- Is the work done by God the Father

- The work done by God the Son

- And the work done by God the Holy Spirit.

See God knew something that I didn’t That His presence changes everything.

Sermon Outline

“Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Until Then, Pray!” James 5:13-20

The simple, but profound & urgent conclusion of James: Pray!

Until Jesus comes, in the midst of trials, when in need of wisdom & grace, pray!

Oswald Chambers: “…the purpose of prayer is the maintenance of fitness in an ideal relationship w/God…by prayer we lay hold on God & He unites us into His consciousness. The purpose of prayer is to reveal the presence of God equally present all the time in every condition.”

James 5:13-20 -

I)In trouble? Pray! Philippians 4:6, I Peter 2:23

II)Happy? Sing praises (a form of prayer)! Set your attention on God in every circumstance.

III)Sick (not just physical sickness, but powerlessness)? Call for the elders/church to come & pray over you.

“Call for”: bid to come - the onus is on the one in need - act of humility.

Elders - God-appointed leaders - as if the whole church is praying. Anoint w/oil - invoking the Holy Spirit’s presence & power.

“In the name of the Lord” - “onoma” is “used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, or remembering the name” (Strg’s).

“kyrios” - “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about what he has power of deciding” (Strg’s). Acknowledge, submit to, cry out for His Lordship!

“There is strength…power…hope in the name of the Lord!”

“Prayer of faith” - conviction of the truth of the Lordship of Christ.

“Will save” - “keep safe & sound, rescue from danger or destruction… deliver” (Strg’s)

“the Lord will raise him up” - will “arouse, cause to rise from seat or bed, awake,” even to “recall the dead to life” (Strg’s).

“If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” The greatest need is spiritual.

Confess sin - to acknowledge openly & agree w/God.

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful & effective” - You/I are righteous in Christ!

Elijah - just a man who “prayed with prayer” (earnestly/fervently). Others can be delivered & restored through prayer!

James is not guaranteeing physical healing nor any particular answer, but he is guaranteeing God’s deliverance & rescue & salvation in whatever way He chooses - physical, emotional, eternal, etc. Isn’t that what we want?

It’s about is a submitting ourselves & situation to God, looking to Him, trusting in Him for His good & perfect gift.

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers are people of prayer, humbling themselves before God & the church, relying upon the name of the Lord.

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Until Then,” Pt.2 --James 5:7-8

The Christ-follower is called to live with a sense of urgency, because Jesus is coming again & there is much work to be done. At the same time, we are called to be patient, because Jesus is coming again! Both are necessary.

Last week: There is a great deal in our lives that press us and for which we need patience: world in chaos, natural calamity, personal loss, injury, sickness, failure (our own or others’).

James 5:1-12 - call to patience - persevering without losing heart, enduring bravely, bearing the offenses of others without seeking revenge, etc.

I)The Christ-follower’s patience is born of hope (vs7-8)
- of God’s grace - “He gives grace to the humble”
- of Christ’s soon return - He will balance the scales, lift the veil, restore His order.
In Christ, we have hope, which enables us to be patient.

James 5:1-12 (This is when I’ll read it) II)We can be patient in the face of hardship (vs1-6) - trials, persecution, oppression, mistreatment.

An example: the ungodly rich, who mistreat those under them.
Their riches won’t last - corrupt, moth-eaten, corroded.
Their riches witness against them.
God sees & will judge.

The sins of the ungodly rich:
Not depending on God
Fraud - withholding wages, etc.
Seeking (1st) pleasure & luxury
Hurting others, even to murder.

Exhortation: Matthew 6:19-21
“Not me!” What kind of steward are you? Where is your treasure?

Be patient in the face of hardship - God will give you grace, Jesus is coming again!

III)We must be patient with each other (vs9)
Don’t grumble against each other
God is Judge!

IV)Examples of patience (vs10-11)
- Prophets
- Job

God proved Himself compassionate & merciful (& will be to us!)

V)Exhortation of patience (vs12)
- No rash, idle, misguided oaths (I will never…)
- Just yes or no - say what you mean, mean what you say.
- Seek the Lord, wait upon Him, & choose wisely.
“Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord.”

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers are humble before God and others, are patient in trial, depending upon God’s grace & hoping in Christ’s coming again.

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Until Then” James 5:7-8

“Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can; never found in woman, always found in man” (women read it differently!). (smile)

There is a great deal in our lives that press us and for which we need patience: world in chaos, natural calamity, personal loss, injury, sickness, failure (our own or others’), etc.

The injunction of Scripture is that we be patient - Rom.12:12, Eph.4:2. James 5:1-12 - call to patience in the midst of oppression & trials, & in relationships.

FD, FE CFs are called to patience - persevering without losing heart, enduring bravely, bearing the offenses of others without seeking revenge, etc.

Patience requires hope - release, growth, improvement, help, etc. In Christ, we have hope!

I)Hope of Grace (God’s favor) - Psalm 27:13, 14

Remember that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble - James 4:6, 10.

II)Hope of Christ’s coming again - vs7-8. He will balance the scales, lift the veil, restore His order.

The Bible is filled with the promise of Christ’s coming: John 14:3, Acts 1:11, I Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 22:7, 12, 20

Early rain: Christ’s 1st coming? Gift of the Holy Spirit? God’s saving grace? God’s daily grace? Perhaps all the above.

Latter rain: Christ’s coming - sure hope - Romans 8:18-21, Revelation 21:1-4 - We are God’s people now and will be His people, with Him, unhindered by the struggles of this life, forever!

Until then - Be patient, stand firm, be strong - I Corinthians 15:58

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers are humble before God and others, are patient in trial, depending upon God’s grace & hoping in Christ’s coming again.

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Posture (Pt.3)- James 4:11-17

How’s your posture (attitude/approach to life, people & God)? The proper posture of the Christ-follower: Humility

Living faith is evidenced by a posture/attitude of humility towards God and our fellow Christ-followers.

Pride is the bane of the Christian life & invokes God’s opposition! Pride takes many forms: Selfish, sinful passions within, covetousness, unrighteous anger, idolatry, friendship with the world, light regard of sin, etc.

Vs11-17: Not random thoughts, but 2 more facets of pride.[READ]

Vs11-12 - Pride of puffing ourselves up by putting others down & thinking we’re right & everyone else is wrong, & thus judging their spiritual standing or walk. There is a tendency, when we sin, to point to others.

James equates speaking evil against others to judging, which doesn’t belong to us.

John Calvin: This is “another disease innate in human nature, that everyone would have all others to live according to his own will or fancy… We dare to impose on our brethren our rule of life.” This is not to say that we cannot lovingly confront others - takes humility, the Holy Spirit’s leading, & an eye to our own sin.

Vs13-17 - Pride of independence from God.

David Gudzik: “James rebukes the kind of heart that lives & makes its plans apart from a constant awareness of the sovereignty of God, & with an underestimation of our own limitations.” He’s not saying don’t plan or set goals, but don’t leave out God! We don’t know what tomorrow holds. Our lives are frail at best.

Psalm 103:15-16 We do not possess tomorrow, only the hope of it. It is the gracious gift of our gracious God. We are totally dependent upon God, & so ought to order our lives after Him. Our lives are not our own. We hold all things in opened hands.

John Calvin: “Though they robbed God of His government they yet flattered themselves; not that they openly set themselves up as superior to God, though they were especially inflated with confidence in themselves, but that their minds were inebriated with vanity so as to disregard God.”

What are you doing with your life? Where is God in your plans? Better yet, are you living daily in relationship with God? Are you following His lead, ordering your life by His will and word?

A final warning from James: If we know the right thing to do - lay down our pride & humble ourselves before God & others - & we don’t do it, it is sin.

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers assume a posture of humility before God & others. We don’t arrogantly judge others nor live our lives independent of God.

Coming Sunday October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to Vernon Advent Christian Church! He will also play special music for our church service at 10:30 a.m. Come one, come all!

Knowledge without historical/cultural context Margaret Feinburg: Scouting the Divine Sheep are not dumb; they're defenseless; sheep always come when called--if the sheep doesn't come, it's because it's in trouble. John 10:27 99 can be left...because they are content (they are eating). John 10:14 Do you really know Jesus? Your belief system is based, produced by your knowledge. Doxia - nosis = knowledge - belief ortho = straight or connect Some won't understand... "just believe this truth" Why do I believe it's truth? Experienced knowledge - changed doxia Phil 3:8 (Road to Damascus experience changed him When we look into the face of God we will be changed. This experiential knowledge of God NEVER contradicts the word of God The purpose of the encounter is so we can know Him intimately and it will change us. Ex. Moses Romans 2:14-16 Law is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Satisfaction/ dreams come true... we look to people, organizations, (job) etc., to make this happen. John 6:35 -99 sheep didn't stay because they wanted to please, but because they were eating (experiencing pleasure). He is the only pleasure that will satisfy. Matt. 25 Sheet vs. Goats Goats believe they know Him... they are busy doing works for Jesus... striving. Sheep are not striving, busy finding their pleasure-not to strive for Him but to KNOW HIM. Do works as we choose to abide in Him. (Mary vs. Martha) Ex. Army alcoholics (alcohol took control over them) Eph. 5:19 NLT Sheeps couldn't remember doing things for Jesus because they were sloshed in the Spirit. Get sloshed in the Spirt- intoxicated by Him When you look at His face (ex. of woman with almost child abduction; she did this because she knew her children (not because she wanted to do the right thing). Hosea 4:6 My people are being destroyed because they don't know Me. He died so that we could know the Father Want to know Him more than anything He will honor that and He will answer He will respond to that heart. Psalm 37:4