Hebrews 2 - But We Do See Jesus! (Part 1)

Luke 2, Matthew 2, Hebrews 2
Title: "But We Do See Jesus!"

1. In Luke 2, God reveals the beautiful side of Christmas!

2. In Matthew 2, God reveals the dark side of Christmas!

• Matthew 2:12-23
• Hebrews 2:8

3. In Hebrews 2, God tells the completed story of Christmas!

•  Hebrews 2:9-11
•  God perfected the author of our salvation through sufferings. 
•  God perfects the saved through sufferings. 

Audio:

John 10:10 - Jesus came to give Life (Part 4)

Advent, Part 4

Jesus came to give Life

John 10:10

John 10:10: “Jesus came to give Life”
 - Jesus Referred as the Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
 - “I am” proclamations point to His exclusive, divine character and purpose.
 - Ezekiel 34, fulfilled by Jesus.  There are a number of places where Jesus is referred to as that  Good Shepherd.
 - New Life is the Spiritual Life:

John 5:24. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life”

We need Life because we were dead in our sins:
 - I. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcised of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses”, Colossians 2:13
 - II. “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:5

How do we receive His Gift Of Life
 - I. To receive Christ, you must recognize him for who he really is, “If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority”. John 7:17
 - II. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.. John 1:11–13
 - III. Receiving him is to believe in all that he is.

Benefits of a New Life in Jesus:
 - I. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthian 5:17.
 - II. We are reconciled with God and found blameless,  “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” Colossians 1: 21-22
 - III. No longer living in darkness, the people dwelling in darkness  have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,  on them a light has dawned.”

Audio:

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 - Christ Came To Fulfill Righteousness (Part 3)

Advent

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Christ Came To Fulfill Righteousness

I. Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15) What was missing?
    A. What was missing from God's character? NOTHING! All righteousness is God's character.
        -Only Righteous God (Psalm 25:8; Isaiah 45:21; 2 Peter 1:4)
        -The Word (Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Psalm 33:4)
        -All that is necessary (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

    B. What was missing from the old covenant? NOTHING!
        -The Law (Romans 2:13 "doers of the law will be justified")
        -Old covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13 the fault was with the people)
        -OT Roll of Faithful (Hebrews 11 "heirs of righteousness according to faith;" "performed acts of righteousness;")

    C. What did Jesus bring that righteousness required? EVERYTHING!
        -Jesus didn't abolish the Law, the old covenant, He completed the promise of God to Abraham.
       -The Law made obsolete (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Hebrews 8:13)
        -Way, Truth, Life (John 14:6 "no one comes to the Father but through Me."
        -Resurrection and life (John 11:25-26 "Do you believe this?" John 3:16)

II. Our righteousness is fulfilled in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
    A. Why do we live and struggle as though Christ is not enough?
        -Our internal conflict (Galatians 5:17 the Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other)
        -Our separating sin (Isaiah 59:2 "your iniquities have made a separation between you and God")
        -Our wake up call (1 Corinthians 15:34 "I speak this to your shame.")
        -Reconciling crucible (2 Corinthians 5:20b "We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God")

    B. Christ is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9 "my grace is sufficient for you")

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God."

Audio:

Matthew 10:16-39 - Jesus Came to Bring A Sword (Part 2)

Advent, Part 2

Jesus Came to Bring A Sword

Matthew 10:16-39

I. The Sword of Advent
A. WHAT: There will be separation between Christians and the world (10:34-36)
- We are different, but we are sent into the world.
B. WHY: Jesus calls us to supreme love and allegiance.
- Greater than family relationships (10:37)
- Complete and All-encompassing (10:38)
- Not because we are jerks (10:16, 1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Not because we are better.


II. The Security of Advent
- We will be saved - therefore we endure. (10:22)
- He knows all - therefore we don’t fear. (10:29-30)
- He will acknowledge us - therefore we acknowledge him. (10:32-33)
- He will give true life - therefore we give him our life. (10:39)

Audio: