Podcast Summary: The Church of Eleven22

Episode: Jesus - Real Men of Christmas: Wk 4
Host/Speaker: Pastor Joby Martin
Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This Christmas Eve episode continues the “Real Men of Christmas” series, culminating in a message centered on Jesus as “the Real Man of Christmas.” Pastor Joby Martin explores the Incarnation—the belief that Jesus was fully God and fully man—explaining its theological depth and practical implications for listeners. Throughout, he uses humor, personal stories, and biblical exposition to make a compelling call for all to consider their relationship with Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Compassion International Partnership Update

• The church has a longstanding partnership with Compassion International, aiming to “release children from poverty in Jesus' name.”
• Past week: 3,789 children sponsored (totaling around 28,000 by the church so far).
  [00:03]

2. The Miracles and Myths of Christmas

• Pastor Joby launches into Christmas movie references (Home Alone, Die Hard, etc.) with the local sports hope: “The greatest Christmas miracle of all. The Jags are going to win the Super Bowl. Let’s go. Why not?”
  [00:18]
• He sets apart the “Christmas miracle” as not magical Hallmark sentiment, but the powerful Incarnation of God coming to earth.

3. Addressing Doubt and Belief: The Virgin Birth

• Pastor Joby directly addresses skeptics and nominal churchgoers who may struggle with the idea of the virgin birth, stating:

  “You mean to tell me you believe that a virgin named Mary gave birth to a child? And my answer is, uh huh, I do. I do. And I believe it because the Bible says it.” (00:42)

• He argues everyone believes in some form of a virgin birth—either God creating life or something from nothing.

4. The Hypostatic Union: Jesus, Fully God and Fully Man

• Central doctrine: Hypostatic union—Jesus had two natures, fully God and fully man, not mixed or alternating:

  “He was fully God and fully man... This is made possible because his mom was named Mary... And yet he was also fully God because his dad wasn’t Joseph. His dad is God the Father.” (01:40)

• Implication: Because Jesus was fully human, he could die; because he was fully God, he could conquer death.

5. Understanding God’s Grandeur and Intimacy

• Illustrative metaphors about feeling small at the Grand Canyon or ocean lead to the point that God, though immense, made himself approachable:

  “One of the things that’s hard for us to get our minds around that Christmas helps us with is just how small God made himself.” (02:16)

• Incarnation explained as “God con carne—God with meat,” tying the theological to the practical.

6. John 1: The Word Became Flesh

• Unpacks John 1:1–14, emphasizing Jesus as the eternal “Word” (Logos) who existed from the beginning and took on flesh:

  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (02:46)

• Discusses the dual Hebrew (God speaks things into existence) and Greek (Logos as animating force) backgrounds.

7. John the Baptist’s Testimony

• Explains John the Baptist as the forerunner who declared:

  “‘Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the entire world.’ That was his testimony.” (04:16)

8. Receiving Jesus Personally

• Stresses the personal nature of faith:

  “But to all who did receive him... he gave the right to become children of God.” (04:40)

9. Jesus’ Humility and “Checking His Dignity at the Door”

• Uses a humorous yet vivid story about medical procedures and embarrassment to illustrate how Jesus “emptied himself” (Philippians 2).

  “Jesus emptied himself. You and I are full of ourselves. I’ve seen your Instagram. It’s all about you... While we are full of ourselves, Jesus emptied himself.” (05:32)

10. Why the Incarnation Matters

• Explains the necessity of Jesus’ coming and sacrifice:

  “Because if Jesus does not come on a rescue mission for you and me, then every single one of us would be lost in our own sins and our own trespasses.” (07:34)

• Outlines the biblical narrative from creation, the fall, through the sacrificial system, culminating in Jesus.

11. The Foreshadowing of the Sacrificial Lamb

• Explains the link between the shepherds, Bethlehem, and sacrificial lambs:

  “The shepherds would put the sacrificial lamb in swaddled clothes in a manger.” (11:11)

  • Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is tied to Old Testament prophecy and sacrificial practices.

12. The Finished Work of Christ

• Summarizes Jesus’ death, resurrection, and present ministry:

  “He lives a perfect life... He dies a sinner’s death that every single one of us deserve... On the cross, he says, ‘It is finished.’” (12:30)

  • Emphasizes both Christ's humanity and divinity—his ability to empathize and to save.

13. Current Ministry of Jesus and Challenge to Listeners

• Discusses what Jesus is doing now (interceding, preparing a place, seeking and knocking).
• Warns against “lukewarm” faith (Laodicea, Revelation 3) and dares listeners:

  "I dare you. Give me one year... Prioritize gathering together... live a life of generosity… develop Christian community… serve the least of these…I promise, your whole life will be different." (17:50–18:22)

14. Invitation to Respond to Jesus

• Details Revelation 3:20—Jesus knocking on the door, awaiting personal response:

  “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him.” (19:01)

• Encourages all to consider:

  “For anyone who would believe that when Christ died on the cross, somehow that counted for you… you receive the right to become a child of God.” (21:12)

• Outlines ABCs of faith:
  • A: Admit you are a sinner.
  • B: Believe Jesus died for you.
  • C: Call on Jesus as Lord.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Modern Skepticism:

  "Everybody believes in a virgin birth. Either a virgin gave birth by the Creator, or nothing gave rise to something… so which one do you believe in?" — Pastor Joby Martin (00:52)

• On Self-Absorption:

  “You and I are full of ourselves. I’ve seen your Instagram… We invented the selfie.” (05:32)

• On Jesus’ Humility:

  “At Christmas, Jesus checked his dignity at the door.” (06:08)

• On the Sacrifice:

  “He is the Lamb of God who’s come to take away the sin of the entire world.” (11:20)

• On Lukewarm Faith:

  “You’re just lukewarm… you’re neither hot nor cold. You’re just kind of bleh. And I want to spew you out of my mouth.” (18:07)

• On Salvation:

  “There is more grace in Jesus than sin in you.” (19:59)

• Summary Invitation:

  “For all who call on the name of the Lord, you will be saved.” (21:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Opening remarks, Compassion update, humorous intro | | 00:42 | Addressing doubts about the virgin birth | | 01:30 | Introduction to the Hypostatic Union | | 02:16 | God’s grandeur and Incarnation explained | | 02:46 | John 1 exposition: Word became flesh | | 04:16 | John the Baptist’s role and testimony | | 04:40 | The offer to “all”—becoming children of God | | 05:32 | Self-centeredness vs. Jesus’ humility | | 07:34 | Why the Incarnation and cross matter | | 11:11 | Bethlehem, shepherds, sacrificial lamb typology | | 12:30 | Finished work of Jesus | | 17:50 | The “all in one year” dare to listeners | | 18:07 | Lukewarm faith and Revelation 3 | | 19:01 | Jesus stands at the door and knocks | | 21:12 | Gospel invitation and ABCs of faith | | 21:54 | Closed with: “For all who call on the name of the Lord”|

Style & Tone

Throughout, Pastor Joby blends humor, relatable stories, direct challenges, and deep biblical teaching. His trademark candidness—sometimes irreverent, always earnest—makes theological truths accessible and urgent for all.

Conclusion

This message invites everyone—doubters, seekers, committed believers—to grapple with the true miracle of Christmas: that God became man in Jesus, lived, died, and rose again to bring peace with God. Far deeper than tradition or myth, Christmas is about the God who comes close, who knocks, and invites every listener into an abundant, changed life.

For more information on The Church of Eleven22, visit coe22.com.