|
|
|
- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
|
|
CHRIST’S
MANIFESTATION IN THE FLESH (1Ti 3:16) 12/9/12 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. INTRODUCTION TO MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH A. As we have been
looking at the ecclesiastical view of the church: the living church, the
local church, the ordinances (Lord’s Supper and Baptism), doctrinal
confession, and church membership, it only seems right to view Christmas from
the early church’s perspective. B. Let me say at the
onset that the early church did not celebrate Christmas as we do today.
Without question, they believed in the Scriptures and the Scriptures state
that Christ was born, born of a virgin; therefore
Christ was manifested in the flesh so that He could die for man’s redemption.
But they did not have a Christian holiday called
Christmas celebrated on Dec 25th. C. Let me also say
that I am not in the least suggesting that as Christians we are wrong in
celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25th. Though the actual date of
Christ’s birth is sketchy, we indeed hold to the beliefs in Scripture and
openly confess what the early church believed. D. Speaking from our calendar, some early
church writers suggest that Christ’s birth was possibly in the spring (March
- May), some December, and others the beginning of the year (January). Along
with others and tradition, Chrysostom argued that the plausible Dec 25th
date would separate Christmas from any other Christian holidays. E. It is to Christmas that Christians today
assign all those biblical and historical beliefs, which emphasize that Christ
was “manifested in the flesh.” II. THE MEANING OF CHRIST’S MANIFESTATION IN
THE FLESH A. “He Who” 1. There is a lot that could be said about
the early church’s perspective on the birth of Christ, but perhaps the phrase
in 1Ti 3:16 describes it best; “He who was
manifested in the flesh.” 2. The phrase begins with “He who, “and is
equally important to becoming flesh. Who is the “He?” There
really is no debate that Paul was referring to Christ in vs. 16. Who
else was revealed in the flesh? Vindicated
by the Spirit? Seen by angels? Proclaimed among the nations? Believed
on in the world? Taken up in glory? It is
Christ and only Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. 3. However, there is some debate on the
translation, though it does not change the meaning of the person of Christ or
the fact that He became flesh. Some translations read, “God was manifested in
the flesh.” Is Christ God? There is absolutely no question
that the Scriptures teach the deity of Christ. Furthermore, the early
church held this as their “common confession” (adverb - homologoumenous -
to say or confess the same thing, agree). 4. Many Scriptures attest to the truth that
Jesus was God. a) Jesus, as the Word, “was God” in Jn 1:1.
The verb ê,n, being in the imperfect tense, teaches that Christ
continually was God from the beginning. b) Jesus claimed not only to exist before
Abraham but identified Himself with the Jehovah, the Great “I AM” (Jn 8:58
cp. Ex 3:14). 5. The very fact that Christ was “manifested
in the flesh” begs the question as to what form He possessed before being manifested in the flesh? The answer is that He was
in the form of God, i.e. God. a) Christ always existed (present
participle hupa,rchō - continually existeing) in the form of God (Php 2:6). “Form” (morphê, - essence and nature) means that Christ possessed the nature of God along with all
the properties that constitute what God is. b) Before He was man, He was first and always
God, eternally. 6. The oldest and best manuscripts of 1Ti
3:16 read ho,s (relative pronoun in the nominative masculine singular)
translated, “who” or “He who.” Later manuscripts, for one reason or another
replaced the pronoun with theo,s (God). While warranting against such free
liberty, it does not change the fact the vs. 16 is
referring to Christ who was God. B. “revealed or manifested” 1. The word “revealed or manifested” is the
Greek word phanero,ō. It comes from the root phai,nō and means to bring to light or cause to appear (Mk 16:14). In
addition, it can mean to make something known as in God’s revelation to man
(Mk 4:22). 2. In the context of 1Ti 3:16, both ideas
are expressed. Christ became human and took on visible human appearance (Php
2:8), also the Son of God was being revealed (Jn
2:11), and He Himself was revealing the invisible God (Jn 1:18; 14:7-11; Col
1:15; Heb 1:3a). 3. In the context of His birth, it
especially means that He came into the world to be seen
by men. “in the flesh” 4. Here the text says that He was specifically
being manifested “in the flesh.” As previously mentioned, phanero,ō can mean to appear of become visible and Christ appeared in the
flesh. C. “in the flesh” 1. “Flesh” (sa,rx) has
various meanings. It can have a figurative meaning that the Scriptures
often refer to the sinful nature and it base desires and passions (1Jn 2:16;
Ro 13:14; Ep 2:3). It is of utmost importance that we realize that this is
not at all what is meant in regard to Christ. a) Christ never sinned. Otherwise who could
not have been our Savior not to mention that it would disprove that He was
God (1Pe 1:19; 2:22 cp. Is 53:9; He 4:15). b) Christ did not possess or share in our
sinful nature. God, did not permit the sinful nature of Mary to transfer to
Jesus (Lk 1:35; He 7:26; 1Jn 3:5). 2. “Flesh” can also mean a literal physical
body and its consistency. With reference to Christ, it certainly refers to
His physical body. He took on human flesh and human likeness and became a man
(Php 2:7). III. THE EXTENT OF CHRIST’S MANIFESTATION IN THE
FLESH A. The idea of “extent” here is the scope of
Christ’s manifestation in the flesh in his life. Does the phrase “in the
flesh” of 1Ti 3:16 have a wider view than just His
birth? I believe it does which by no means
diminishes the importance of His birth. 1. Incarnation - The phrase “in the
flesh” is explained by the theological term called
“incarnation” (Latin - en carno - in flesh). Christ came “in the
flesh.” This includes His birth but encompasses more. It includes its reality
as well as its purposes, which could only be accomplished
“in the flesh.” a) John states in Jn 1:14 that He “became
flesh” so that He could live (“dwelt” - skêno,ō - lit. tent, or take up residence, live) among us. b) Man would also be able to see His glory as
the Son of God by His person and works. c) Man would see that God’s grace and truth was offered in Christ. 2. Prophesy - Christ’s incarnation
was not a surprise injected into the history of mankind,
but God’s redemptive plan from the beginning which included signs and
purposes. a) The birth of Christ was important to
Christ’s incarnation, but it also was a sign to identify the Messiah, who
would be born of a virgin (Is 7:14 cp. Mt 1:22-23). b) The prophecy of the birth of Christ was a
prediction that God would give His own Son to save sinful
mankind (Is 9:6). 3. Birth - Aside from being a sign of
the Messiah, the birth of Christ was the sole means of Christ’s incarnation
(“in flesh”) through the Holy Spirit (Mt 1:20; Lk 1:35). As the means of His
incarnation, the birth of Christ is of great importance because it obviously
is how Christ came into the world to save sinners (Mt 1:21). Had Christ not
come into the world “in the flesh,” there would be no incarnation and no
redemption. 4. Life - The birth of Christ was
just the beginning. Christ being “manifested in the flesh,” was able to live
out His divine life (never ceasing to be God, rather humanity was added to
His deity), be man’s example of perfect righteousness, and become man’s
Savior through His death. a) Christ’s life “in the flesh” is the
believer’s example of how he ought to walk in righteousness as Christ walked
in righteousness (1Jn 2:6; 1Pe 2:21). b) Christ’s “manifestation in the flesh” is
what made him human and mortal. Christ’s mortality gave Him the ability to
die on the cross as man’s substitutionary atonement. This was Christ’s
ultimate purpose for being “manifested in the flesh” (Ga 4:4-5; He 2:9). IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Though the early
church did not celebrate Christmas as we do is no reason for us to abstain from its
celebration. Rather, by understanding Christ’s purpose for being “manifested
in the flesh,” believers are able to celebrate Christmas today in its truest
meaning. B. Though we celebrate Christ’s birth, we
understand that His birth allowed Him to be “manifested in flesh” so that He
could accomplished many purposes, including our
redemption and eternal life. C. Christ’s manifestation in the flesh lets
believers understand Christ’s divine glory, the grace and truth that is found
in Him, the example left for them to emulate, and rejoice in the blessing
that the Son of God died to taste death for us. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
