God Became Man Sermon Guide – Advent 2024

God Became Man Sermon Guide

Download the sermon guide to print here.

This powerful sermon explores the profound mystery and wonder of the Incarnation — the astounding reality that the infinite, all-powerful God chose to enter our world as a vulnerable baby. Through examining both Scripture and Charles Wesley’s beloved carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” we discover how God bridged the divide between heaven and earth through Jesus Christ. This guide will help us reflect on the implications of the Incarnation for our daily lives and deepen our appreciation of this magnificent truth during the Advent season.

This sermon emphasizes:

• The story of Scripture reveals a separation between heaven and earth due to human rebellion, with God initiating a plan to bridge this divide
• Throughout the Old Testament, God’s appearances (theophanies) often caused fear and trembling — highlighting humanity’s inability to approach Him
• Instead of requiring humans to become divine, God chose to become human through the Incarnation
• Jesus revealed God’s nature perfectly while remaining fully approachable to all people — from children to outcasts
• The Incarnation demonstrates God’s profound love for humanity and His desire to restore relationship with us
• Three key implications of the Incarnation:
  • God understands our human experience
  • God is revealed through Jesus
  • God redeems humanity through Christ

Key Scriptures:

• “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)
• “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span?” (Isaiah 40:12)
• “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)
• “He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3)

Table Questions:

1. What aspects of God’s nature — His omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence — most capture your sense of wonder? How does it affect you to think about this same God becoming a human baby?
2. The sermon mentions how we can become “anesthetized” to the familiar Christmas story. What practices help you maintain or rediscover a sense of wonder about the Incarnation?
3. How does it impact your view of Jesus to consider that children felt comfortable approaching Him? What does this tell us about His character?
4. In what ways does knowing that Jesus experienced human life help you relate to Him in your current circumstances?
5. The sermon discusses how we often feel our humanity through our shortcomings and struggles. How does the Incarnation specifically speak hope into those feelings?
6. What does it mean to you personally that God chose to enter our world “screaming in his own blood” rather than appearing in power and glory?
7. Of the three implications discussed (God understands, God is revealed, God redeems), which resonates most deeply with you right now and why?
8. How might reflecting on the Incarnation change the way you approach this Advent season differently than previous years?
9. The sermon mentions that Jesus remains our “faithful high priest.” How does this role of Jesus bring comfort in your daily life?
10. What specific aspects of Jesus’ character revealed in the Gospels help you better understand the nature of God the Father?