The Great Divide
The sermon highlights the unique nature of Christianity, which is based on the Incarnation, where God the Son became flesh and dwelled among us.
Selwyn Hughes emphasizes the uniqueness of the Christian faith, highlighting the profound truth that the Word of God became flesh in the Son of God, making Christianity distinct from all other religions. This concept of the Incarnation, where God took on human form, sets Christianity apart as the only faith where God physically dwelt among His people. Hughes reflects on the awe and joy that comes from contemplating the Incarnation, recognizing it as a divine mystery that reveals God's love and pursuit of humanity.
Text
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." (v. 14)
For reading & meditation:
John 1:1-18
We continue meditating on the fact that the Christian faith is unique in that it is the Word not of a prophet but of the Son of God Himself. And when I refer to the Son of God I mean also God the Son. The Son is as much God as God Himself. One commentator says of the verse before us today: "If I were to put my finger on the most important verse in Scripture I would unhesitatingly put my finger on this one: 'And the Word became flesh.' " This verse has been described as "The Great Divide," because no other religion can claim that the word they received from God became flesh. In all other religions the essential element is a word become word - a philosophy, a moralistic system, and so on. Only in Christianity does God appear in human form; the Word become flesh. Early in my career as a minister I found that whenever I tried to present the Christian gospel to people of other faiths, everything I said brought the bland reply: "Yes, what you say is good, but we have the same teaching in our sacred books also." The Sermon on the Mount? Muslims have something similar in the Qur'an. Turning the other cheek? Hindus would reply: "Our sacred books tell us the same." Caring and sensitivity to the needs of others? Buddhists would respond: "We believe in that too, perhaps even more than you." Every issue I raised had its parallel. I was puzzled. Where was Christianity's uniqueness? Then it dawned upon me - the Incarnation. No other religion has anything like the Incarnation.
O God our Father, just to reflect on the Incarnation is to be filled with amazement and joy. We are not knocking at the door of heaven. You are knocking at the lowly doors of our hearts. How can such a thing be true? Yet it is. I am so thankful. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- The Unique Nature of Christianity
- 'The Incarnation: God''s Unique Revelation'
- The Implications of the Incarnation
- It sets Christianity apart from other religions
- It is the key to understanding the uniqueness of the Christian gospel
Key Quotes
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” — Selwyn Hughes
“If I were to put my finger on the most important verse in Scripture I would unhesitatingly put my finger on this one: ''And the Word became flesh.''” — Selwyn Hughes
“No other religion has anything like the Incarnation.” — Selwyn Hughes
Application Points
- Reflect on the Incarnation and be filled with amazement and joy, recognizing that God is knocking at the doors of our hearts.
- Recognize the unique nature of Christianity and its implications for our lives.
- Respond to the Incarnation with gratitude and amazement, recognizing the incredible truth that God became flesh for us.