13 – Dwelt among us

13 – Dwelt among us

John 1:14-16 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

Because he Dwelt among us

  1. We behold His Glory
  2. We behold The Glory of the only begotten of the Father
  3. We see and experience He is full of grace and truth
  4. We know He is Eternal
  5. Because he dwelt among us, we have received grace upon grace.

Before the Birth of Jesus, He had always been active in History. I am going to focus on, “He dwelt among us”.  This one has been in production for a long time.  I want us to see fully the biblical and theological and personal impact of God coming to live among us.  In the Old Testament we know there are many times where God directly talks with man. We can talk about the Lord walking with Adam in the Garden, God speaking to Noah and how the Ark was representative of being in Christ, or Abraham meeting with the Lord before he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, many theologians believe this meeting was with the pre-incarnate Jesus, God talking with Moses through the burning bush, The Lord came and dwelt in the tabernacle so he would be among His people, then the temple as well, Then Jesus coming in a body like ours and living a life like ours.  The New Testament is clear he still lives among us in fact he lives in us.

  • 1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
  • 2 Cor 6:16 Or what agreement has a sanctuary of God with idols? For we are a sanctuary of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
  • 1 Cor 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

As a Man he lived a life like ours. Meaning He experiences all of life like we do. Wasn’t this Jesus born like we are in Bethlehem?  We know his mother was Mary, and His Father was Joseph. (In John 6:44 the Jews discussed this same thing) He even had brothers and sisters.  We know he had flesh, bones and blood. He arrived as a baby in the same manner as we are.  He grew up in a family just like we have. We know as a child he moved around a bit as he lived in Egypt and then Galilee.  We know he aged like we do. We know he got tired and slept, he grew hungry and thirsty, He wept, He taught, He walked the earth, he was tried and died and was buried.  All things normal human experiences. 

Heb 2:17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to help those who are tempted.

Heb 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

As God He lived among us and demonstrated His power, performed signs and wonders. He also showed often He cared and sympathized with the hurting, the diseased and the lost. He often demonstrated His compassion for us and showed us His great love. Ultimately, He showed His great love for his sheep by dying on the cross and taking all our unrighteousness on Himself and giving to us His righteousness (see 2 Cor 5:21), So, we may be perfect in His sight. In fact, the book of John has a purpose statement about Jesus (see John 20:30-31). These are written so we may believe.

  • 2 Cor 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
  • John 20:30-31 Therefore many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

In fact, in some mysterious way we are all connected with Jesus and the Father, us in Him and He in us.

  • John 14:20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
  • John 17:20-23 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as you Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

This idea of Jesus coming to dwell among us is amazing and comforting. It is not just about him living a life like ours but also so we can ultimately be united with Him and the Father by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The ultimate result is we become like Him.

  • Rom 8:29 Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers;

But what means so much to me today is Jesus dwells with me and in me. I can trust He is with me always and will never forsake me.

  • Heb 13:5 I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 6 so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
  • Matt 28:20 and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The knowledge of Jesus in me, knowing He will always be with me, has truly been a great comfort over the last many years. 

Several years ago, I was shocked to learn I had congestive heart failure and would need a 5-way-by-pass.  At the time I figured I would be back to “mostly” normal after a short recovery period.  I did not anticipate fluid buildup, A leaky heart valve, intermittent chest pain when walking and sleeping (this is due to the smaller vessels also having issues), difficulty sleeping more nights than not.  I suppose if the operation had been the end of it with no other health issues along the way, then it is likely I would be boring you all and writing about “dwelt among us” leaving out my personal experience for a more theologically approach.

However, the story continues, I also was diagnosed and treated with prostate cancer, I am still getting monthly shots to keep the cancer down, I have severe anemia, I struggle with low energy and low red blood cell count, and restless legs syndrome, and finally I had a severe leaking tricuspid heart valve which they replaced.

As I write the reality is I have no idea if I have 20 years or 1 day (left).  But because he dwells with me:

  1. I know He chose me and I have eternal life given to me by Him
  2. John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
  3. Eph. 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
  4. 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life
  5. I know I can be at peace in the whatever of life.
  6. Rom. 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
  7. Rom. 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?
  8. Ron 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
  9. I know he is in control of my every breath
    1. (sing with me…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY
    1. Acts 17:24-25 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;
  10. I know the Lord dwells in me.
    1. 1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
  11. I know he will never leave me nor forsake me.
    1. Heb 13:5 Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” 6 so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
  12. I know I can depend on the one who is full of grace and truth.
    1. John 1:14-16 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *bore witness about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has been ahead of me, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
  13. I know he knows the number of my days so I will rejoice in this one
    1. Ps 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unshaped substance; And in Your book all of them were written The days that were formed for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
  14. I know I plan my way – but the Lord establishes my steps
    1. Prov 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, But Yahweh directs his steps.

I have learned over the last several years to trust the One who dwells with and in me.  So can you.  He provides you with every moment of each day.  Rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psalm 118:24 – This is the day which Yahweh has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.)

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