Incarnation is, at its essence, embodiment. When we speak of “the incarnation” we talk of Jesus as the embodiment of God’s heart and mind – God’s love and wisdom (God’s Word) made flesh. According to first chapter of Hebrews, God, after speaking for generations through the prophets, chose to speak “in the flesh” and in doing so “made purification for our sins” (Hebrews 1:1-3 CEB). The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is the full and final revelation of God’s self to the world. Jesus, in the flesh, was God’s presence on earth.
In my ministry, I have learned another dimension to the incarnation. The same Spirit that indwelt Christ indwells each and every follower of Jesus. Another aspect of Christianity as an incarnational faith, is that we continue …show more content…
This proclamation means that we look to Jesus as the authority. For the early Church, living in the shadow of the Roman Empire, to proclaim “Jesus is Lord” was a dangerous prospect. It meant that Jesus alone was the ultimate authority; not any local governor, king, or even the Emperor. John Wesley once wrote, “He is Lord of all, having absolute, supreme, universal dominion over all things; but more peculiarly our Lord, who believe in Him, both by conquest, purchase, and voluntary obligation” (Burtner and Chiles …show more content…
Hearing her proclaim her absolute trust of Jesus served as a great lesson in faith. She did not simply proclaim “Jesus is Lord,” she lived as if Jesus truly was her Lord. As she watched her husband’s health deteriorate, as they suffered set-back after set-back, and even as her health faded after her diagnosis, her trust in Jesus remained steadfast. Her life of faith was an inspiration to me and to our congregation.
(c) The Holy Spirit is the continuing and continuous presence of Christ active in our lives. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence and God’s power in and around us. According Article III of our Confession of Faith, the Holy Spirit “convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment… comforts, sustains, and empowers the faithful and guides them into truth” (Book of Discipline ¶104 71). My experience in ministry has taught me the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide
In my ministry, I have learned another dimension to the incarnation. The same Spirit that indwelt Christ indwells each and every follower of Jesus. Another aspect of Christianity as an incarnational faith, is that we continue …show more content…
This proclamation means that we look to Jesus as the authority. For the early Church, living in the shadow of the Roman Empire, to proclaim “Jesus is Lord” was a dangerous prospect. It meant that Jesus alone was the ultimate authority; not any local governor, king, or even the Emperor. John Wesley once wrote, “He is Lord of all, having absolute, supreme, universal dominion over all things; but more peculiarly our Lord, who believe in Him, both by conquest, purchase, and voluntary obligation” (Burtner and Chiles …show more content…
Hearing her proclaim her absolute trust of Jesus served as a great lesson in faith. She did not simply proclaim “Jesus is Lord,” she lived as if Jesus truly was her Lord. As she watched her husband’s health deteriorate, as they suffered set-back after set-back, and even as her health faded after her diagnosis, her trust in Jesus remained steadfast. Her life of faith was an inspiration to me and to our congregation.
(c) The Holy Spirit is the continuing and continuous presence of Christ active in our lives. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence and God’s power in and around us. According Article III of our Confession of Faith, the Holy Spirit “convinces the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment… comforts, sustains, and empowers the faithful and guides them into truth” (Book of Discipline ¶104 71). My experience in ministry has taught me the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide