Jeffrey Johnson's sermon, centered on Philippians 2 and John 3:16, delves into the profound concept of God's greatest gift to humanity: the incarnation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Johnson contrasts the imaginable material gifts, like immense wealth or entire universes, with the immeasurable gift of God's only son, Jesus. He emphasizes that while creating wealth or universes is effortless for God, giving His son was a sacrifice that cost Him everything.
Exploring Philippians 2:6-8, Johnson reflects on Jesus' humility and obedience, culminating in His death on the cross. He highlights the incarnation's cost – Jesus, being fully God, willingly forgoing His divine privileges to become human. This act was not a diminishing of His deity but a veiling of His glory in human form. Johnson points out the humility of Jesus' earthly life, from His birth in a manger to a life of service and poverty, culminating in His ultimate act of love and sacrifice on the cross.
Johnson further discusses Jesus' life and ministry, marked by selflessness and service. He speaks of Jesus' constant availability to those in need, His rejection and humiliation by those He came to save, and the personal cost of His mission, including His death on the cross. This death, Johnson notes, was not just a physical ordeal but also involved bearing the weight of humanity's sins and experiencing separation from God the Father.
Concluding his sermon, Johnson urges his listeners to recognize the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice and love. He encourages a response of worship, gratitude, and a reorientation of priorities away from materialism, especially during the Christmas season. Johnson's prayer at the end reflects a deep sense of unworthiness before the enormity of what Jesus has done and a plea for a greater understanding and appreciation of this divine gift.
