On the Incarnation - When God Drew Near

On the Incarnation – When God Drew Near
(John 1:1, 14)

When God Drew Near

At the heart of every human longing is a quiet question: Does God ever come close? In this opening sermon of our Incarnation series, we are reminded that the gospel answers that question with a resounding yes. In Jesus Christ, God did not remain distant or theoretical—He drew near.

This message begins by addressing the cultural season surrounding Christmas, clarifying that while Scripture never commands the observance of a specific date for Jesus’ birth, it does give us a powerful opportunity to speak about the incarnation itself. The church does not celebrate a calendar day, but proclaims a Savior. Using Romans 14 as a guide, we are reminded to hold Scripture above tradition while wisely redeeming moments when hearts are more open to spiritual truth.

From there, the sermon takes us back before Bethlehem—before the manger, Mary, and the shepherds—to eternity itself. John’s Gospel reveals that Jesus did not begin in a stable; He existed before all things as the eternal Word. Fully divine, uncreated, and the agent of creation itself, Jesus is not a created being but God Himself who has always been.

The wonder deepens as we consider the miracle of the incarnation: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Without ceasing to be God, the Son took on full humanity, entering our weakness, suffering, temptation, and sorrow. Because of this, Jesus is both able to save us completely and able to sympathize with us fully. God did not merely visit humanity—He entered it.

Finally, the sermon turns from doctrine to discipleship. John says, “We beheld His glory,” and believers today are invited to do the same—not with physical eyes, but by fixing our gaze on Christ through Scripture, prayer, obedience, community, service, and even suffering. As we behold Him, we are transformed into His likeness.

The incarnation is not just something to admire; it is an invitation to follow. God drew near in Christ so that we might walk with Him, trust Him, and be remade in His image.