The Incarnation

in the Gospels

Daniel M. Doriani

Philip Graham Ryken

Richard D. Phillips

PUBLISHING

P.O. BOX 817 • PHILLIPSBURG • NEW JERSEY 08865-0817

© 2008 by Daniel M. Doriani, Philip Graham Ryken and Richard D. Phillips

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—except for brief quotations for the purpose of review or comment, without the prior permission of the publisher, P&R Publishing Company, P.O. Box 817, Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865-0817.

Scripture quotations in chapters 1–4 are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations in chapters 5–12 are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Italics within Scripture quotations indicate emphasis added.

Page design by Lakeside Design Plus

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Doriani, Daniel M., 1953–

The incarnation in the Gospels / Daniel M. Doriani, Philip Graham Ryken, Richard D. Phillips.

p. cm.—(Reformed expository commentary)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-59638-140-7 (cloth)

1. Advent sermons. 2. Incarnation—Sermons. 3. Bible. N.T. Gospels—Sermons. I. Ryken, Philip Graham, 1966–II. Phillips, Richard D. (Richard Davis), 1960–III. Title.

BV4254.5.D67 2008

252'.61—dc22

2008034189

Reformed Expository Commentary

A Series

Series Editors

Richard D. Phillips

Philip Graham Ryken

Testament Editors

Iain M. Duguid, Old Testament

Daniel M. Doriani, New Testament

Contents

Series Introduction

Preface

Part 1: The Incarnation in Matthew: The Hope of Israel

Daniel M. Doriani

1. The Identity of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:1–17)

2. The Origin of Jesus, Our Immanuel (Matt. 1:18–25)

3. The Adoration of Jesus (Matt. 2:1–12)

4. The Protection of Jesus (Matt. 2:13–23)

Part 2: The Incarnation in Luke: Songs for the Savior

Philip Graham Ryken

5. Magnificat (Luke 1:39–55)

6. Benedictus (Luke 1:56–80)

7. Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Luke 2:1–20)

8. Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:21–38)

Part 3: The Incarnation in John: The Coming of the Light

Richard D. Phillips

9. The Divine Word (John 1:1–3)

10. The Light of Men (John 1:4–5)

11. Light for Everyone (John 1:6–13)

12. The Word Became Flesh (John 1:14–18)

Appendix 1: Gospel-Centered Worship Connected to Christ’s Nativity

Mark L. Dalbey

Appendix 2: A Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols

Richard D. Phillips

Appendix 3: Five Recent Advent Carols

Paul S. Jones, James Montgomery Boice, Eric J. Alexander, Derek W. H. Thomas, Philip Graham Ryken

Appendix 4: Meditations on Christmas Customs

Daniel M. Doriani

Index of Scripture