To explore and understand the superiority of Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
Good morning, church family. It's a total joy to be with you today as we dive into the word of God, specifically into the book of Hebrews. We're going to kick off a new series today called "Jesus Is Better." Now, I know, that might sound a bit obvious, right? But, let's take a moment to really dwell on that. Jesus is better - not just in the big, grand scheme of things, but in the everyday, nitty-gritty details of our lives.
In his book “Knowledge of the Holy,” A.W. Tozer remarked, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This quote sets the perfect tone for our series because our understanding of who Jesus is - His superiority, His victory, and our position in Him - directly impacts how we live our lives.
Opening Scripture Reading – Our anchor scripture for these next few weeks will be Hebrews 1:1, which reads, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways." This verse is just the beginning of the writer's argument about the superiority of Christ. The author of Hebrews wants us to know that Jesus is better than anything or anyone else we could ever know or experience.
Opening Prayer – Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunity to gather here today to study Your Word. Open our hearts and minds to understand the depth of the truth that Jesus is better - better than our fears, our challenges, even our dreams and aspirations. Help us to grasp the reality of our position in Christ and the victory that is ours through Him. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.
As we delve into the first point of our series, "Jesus Is Better: A Revelation of Our Position with and In Christ."
A. The first thing we need to grasp is that our position with Christ is one of unmerited favor and acceptance. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." This means that our standing with God is not based on our performance, but on Christ's finished work on the cross. We are accepted and loved, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.
Application – This understanding liberates us from the pressure to earn God's love and acceptance. It frees us from the fear of failure and the trap of perfectionism. We can rest in the assurance that we are fully loved and accepted by God, not because we are perfect, but because we are perfectly loved by a perfect Savior.
B. Secondly, our position in Christ is one of victory. In 1 Corinthians 15:57, the Apostle Paul declares, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This means that in Christ, we are not victims, but victors. We are not defeated, but triumphant. We are not overcome, but overcomers.
Application – This doesn't mean that we won't face challenges or difficulties. It means that in Christ, we have the power to overcome them. We are not defined by our circumstances, but by our position in Christ. We are not held captive by our past, but we are liberated by our future in Christ.
C. Thirdly, our position with and in Christ gives us a new identity. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" This means that in Christ, we are not who we used to be. We are not defined by our past mistakes, failures, or sins. We are defined by our new identity in Christ.
Application – This new identity is not something we achieve, but something we receive. It's not something we earn, but something we are given. It's not something we work for, but something we are born into. In Christ, we are not just forgiven, but we are new creations. We are not just saved from something, but we are saved for something.
D. Finally, our position with and in Christ gives us access to God's presence. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to "approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This means that in Christ, we have direct access to God. We don't need a mediator or a go-between. We can come boldly into God's presence, knowing that we are welcomed and accepted.
Transition – This access to God's presence is not a privilege we earn, but a right we inherit. It's not a reward for good behavior, but a birthright of every believer. In Christ, we are not distant from God, but we are close to Him. We are not strangers, but we are sons and daughters.
Pastor – Share a personal story that illustrates this truth of our position with and in Christ.
The second point that we're going to delve into is the concept that Jesus is not just better, but He is the key to absolute victory ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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