Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son, Our Lord
Texts: John 1:1–14 | Philippians 2:5–11
Big Idea: Jesus is fully God and fully human — the Son who reveals the Father and reigns as Lord of all.
As we continue our study of the Apostles’ Creed, we arrive at the heart of the Christian confession:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.”
Christianity does not begin with an idea or a philosophy.
It begins with a person.
The question the church must always answer is:
Who is this Jesus?
He Came to Us — The Incarnation
John’s Gospel begins with a powerful declaration:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1
John calls Jesus the Logos, the Word through whom all things were made. But this Word is not an abstract principle or philosophical idea.
The Logos is a person.
The Logos is Jesus.
Then John tells us the miracle of the Gospel:
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” — John 1:14
The Creator stepped into His creation.
The eternal Son entered the story of humanity.
God did not save us from a distance — He came to us.
No “Medias Tintas”
During the message, we reflected on the Spanish phrase “medias tintas,” which refers to half-measures or something diluted.
Many people want a Jesus of medias tintas — a Jesus who is only a teacher, moral example, or spiritual guide.
But the Gospel leaves no room for half measures.
Jesus is not half God and half man.
He is fully God and fully human.
This is the wonder of the Incarnation.
The Church’s Confession
From the earliest centuries, the church defended this truth.
Athanasius wrote that Christ did not merely appear human but truly took on our humanity. The church later described this mystery as the Hypostatic Union:
One person. Two natures. Fully God and fully human.
As Gregory of Nazianzus famously said:
“What is not assumed cannot be redeemed.”
Because Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, He alone can save us and represent us before God.
He Humbled Himself for Us
Philippians 2 shows us the humility of Christ:
“He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.” — Philippians 2:8
Where humanity grasped for power, Christ chose humility.
Adam reached upward and fell.
Christ humbled Himself and came down for us.
As Augustine said:
“Pride changed angels into devils; humility makes men into angels.”
The way of the kingdom is clear:
The way up is down.
He Reigns Over Us
Because of His obedience, God exalted Christ:
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” — Philippians 2:10–11
The confession of the church echoes through the centuries and across the world:
Jesus Christ is Lord.
After the resurrection, Thomas stood before the risen Christ and declared:
“My Lord and my God.” — John 20:28
Doctrine became devotion.
Our Confession
Jesus does not offer a half gospel.
He offers:
• full forgiveness
• full restoration
• full salvation
In His humanity, He understands our pain.
In His divinity, He has the power to make us whole.
This is the faith of the church:
The prophets saw Him.
The apostles touched Him.
The church confesses Him.
Jesus Christ — God’s Only Son — Our Lord.
