Advent: The Incarnation: Begotten Not Made

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our Advent series on the Incarnation. This sermon is “Begotten Not Made”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-11DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Philippians 2:1-11 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:who, being in very nature God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature of a servant,    being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death –        even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place    and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What is one practical way (this advent) that can help you to grow in the wonder of the incarnation? WARM-UP Think about the most humble person you know. Why do you think they were like this? What does our culture think about humility? Read Philippians 2:6-11 How does Paul describe what Christ has done for us in these verses? What was the nature of Jesus before he became human? How does this make the incarnation all the more wonderful? What did he do with his high position of being with God? How is this different from people in authority here on this earth? How did Jesus make himself nothing? In becoming human, how was this Jesus emptying himself? What did Jesus empty himself of? Why did Jesus have to become human? Why is it important that Jesus didnʼt become any less God or any less of a human? How is this of great comfort for you? In what ways has our God served us? How is this distinct from other human religions? If you were to ask your friends who donʼt know Jesus yet what they thought Christianity was all about, what do you think they would say? Does this align with the picture we see here? How could you let them know of the reality of what Jesus has done for us? Read Philippians 2:1-5 What would make Paulʼs joy complete? Why do you think that this should be a high priority and hope for the church? In what ways might we be tempted to do things for our own praise or our own selfish ambition? As we interact with others, what should be the lens through which we think of serving them?APPLY: How could we grow in our service to others to be more like Jesus over advent? PRAYER Lord God, thank you for the awesomeness of the incarnation, that Jesus would step down from his high position to become human and serve us. Help us in our interactions with others to be like him. Amen GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Ask someone what is their favourite moment of Christmas. Listen, Watch, and Read: WATCH: Seminary Now: Talks on AdventLISTEN: “Worthy of the Gospel” by Simon ManchesterLISTEN: “Adopt Jesusʼ Death as the Test of Your Outlook” by Don CarsonLISTEN: “Humility” by John StottLISTEN: “Imitating the Incarnation” by Tim KellerBORROW & READ: “Knowing God” by J.I. PackerSERIES Resources:Series Overview (PDF & Audiobook)Read: “The God who Became Human” by Graham ColeRead: “On the Incarnation” by AthanasiusRead: “What Christians Ought to Believe” by Michael BirdRead: “Is Christmas Unbelievable” by Rebecca McLaughlinWatch: “The Word Becomes Human” by the Bible ProjectWatch: “The Incarnation (Spoken Word)” by Humble WordListen: A Carols Playlist (curated by the St Bartʼs staff team)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 PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook