Abiding in Christ: The Superiority of Jesus
Summary
The sermon began with a prayer for the church family in Gaza and a reading from John chapter 15, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Jesus and the pruning process that God uses to make us bear more fruit. The pastor then shifted the focus to the topic of angels, acknowledging that our understanding of angels today may be influenced by popular culture rather than biblical teachings. The pastor expressed a desire to have a close and intimate relationship with God, acknowledging that Jesus is the one who sacrificed his life for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. The congregation was encouraged to humble themselves before God and offer themselves as a meaningful gift.
The pastor then emphasized the worthiness of Jesus to receive adoration, worship, and praise, referring to Revelation chapter 5. The pastor described a scene in heaven where a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals is presented. A mighty angel proclaims in a loud voice, asking who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. However, no one in heaven, on Earth, or under the Earth is found worthy. This causes the pastor to weep, but one of the elders reassures him, pointing to the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, who has triumphed and is able to open the scroll.
The pastor then encouraged the congregation to use their imagination to picture the magnificent and powerful creatures described in Revelation 4. The pastor emphasized the continuous worship of these creatures, who never stop saying "holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty." The pastor then highlighted the importance of staying focused on the main point of scripture, which is to keep our hearts, eyes, and minds fixed on the living God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The pastor then focused on the comparison between Jesus and angels. The author of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Jesus, highlighting his eternal nature and his role as the Savior of all people. While angels are amazing and serve as ministering spirits to those who will inherit salvation, Jesus is portrayed as even more remarkable. The pastor then challenged the congregation to consider what crowns they have in their lives that they will lay before Jesus, symbolizing their adoration and surrender to Him.
The sermon concluded with the pastor emphasizing the importance of seeking God and being a part of the family of believers. The congregation was encouraged to say "amen" in agreement with this message. The pastor highlighted the significance of seeking a relationship with God, implying that it is a continuous process that requires active effort. Additionally, the pastor emphasized the importance of being a part of the community of believers, emphasizing the idea of being a family.
Key Takeaways:
- Abiding in Jesus and the pruning process that God uses to make us bear more fruit is vital for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Without a connection to Jesus, nothing can be achieved. ([12:45])
- Jesus is worthy to receive adoration, worship, and praise. This is illustrated through the scene in Revelation chapter 5, where no one but Jesus was found worthy to open the scroll. This emphasizes the unique and unparalleled position of Jesus in the heavenly realm. ([24:33])
- The congregation was encouraged to use their imagination to picture the magnificent and powerful creatures described in Revelation 4. This exercise serves to remind us of the awe-inspiring nature of God's creation and the continuous worship that takes place in heaven. ([36:12])
- While angels are amazing and serve as ministering spirits, Jesus is portrayed as even more remarkable. This serves as a reminder of the superiority of Jesus and His eternal nature. ([48:20])
- Seeking God and being a part of the family of believers is a continuous process that requires active effort. Being part of a community of believers provides support and encouragement in this journey. ([59:33])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 1:27-28: "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."
2. Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
3. Romans 8:26-27: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the mother's prayer and dedication of her child to the Lord in 1 Samuel 1:27-28?
2. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what are the ways suggested to keep God's commandments at the forefront of daily life?
3. How does Romans 8:26-27 describe the role of the Spirit in our prayer life and relationship with God?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of dedicating a child to the Lord in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 reflect our own surrender and dedication to God?
2. How does the command to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 relate to the concept of abiding in Jesus and bearing fruit?
3. How does the intercession of the Spirit in Romans 8:26-27 reflect the worthiness of Jesus to receive our adoration, worship, and praise?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on 1 Samuel 1:27-28, what is something in your life that you need to surrender to God? How can you practically do this in the coming week?
2. Considering Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what is one way you can keep God's commandments at the forefront of your daily life? How can you implement this in your routine?
3. In light of Romans 8:26-27, how can you be more conscious of the Spirit's role in your prayer life? What is one specific change you can make in your prayer routine to acknowledge this?
4. How can you demonstrate the superiority of Jesus over other influences in your life, as suggested in the comparison between Jesus and angels?
5. What is one practical step you can take this week to actively seek God and be a part of the family of believers?
Devotional
Day 1: The Vitality of Abiding in Jesus
Abiding in Jesus and the pruning process that God uses to make us bear more fruit is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Without a connection to Jesus, nothing can be achieved. This connection is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires active participation and commitment. It is through this connection that we are able to bear fruit and grow spiritually. ([12:45])
John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What does abiding in Jesus look like in your daily life? Can you identify one specific area where you need to deepen your connection with Jesus?
Day 2: The Unparalleled Worthiness of Jesus
Jesus is worthy to receive adoration, worship, and praise. This is illustrated through the scene in Revelation chapter 5, where no one but Jesus was found worthy to open the scroll. This emphasizes the unique and unparalleled position of Jesus in the heavenly realm. His worthiness is not just a theological concept, but a reality that should shape our worship and devotion. ([24:33])
Revelation 5:12 - "In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
Reflection: How does the worthiness of Jesus shape your worship and devotion? Can you think of one specific way to express your adoration for Jesus today?
Day 3: The Awe-Inspiring Nature of God's Creation
The congregation was encouraged to use their imagination to picture the magnificent and powerful creatures described in Revelation 4. This exercise serves to remind us of the awe-inspiring nature of God's creation and the continuous worship that takes place in heaven. It is a call to join in this heavenly worship, acknowledging the greatness and majesty of God. ([36:12])
Revelation 4:8 - "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.'"
Reflection: How can you join in the heavenly worship of God in your daily life? Can you think of one specific way to acknowledge the greatness and majesty of God today?
Day 4: The Superiority of Jesus Over Angels
While angels are amazing and serve as ministering spirits, Jesus is portrayed as even more remarkable. This serves as a reminder of the superiority of Jesus and His eternal nature. His role as the Savior of all people sets Him apart from all other beings, including angels. ([48:20])
Hebrews 1:4 - "So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs."
Reflection: How does the superiority of Jesus over angels impact your understanding of His role as Savior? Can you think of one specific way to honor Jesus in your life today?
Day 5: The Continuous Journey of Seeking God
Seeking God and being a part of the family of believers is a continuous process that requires active effort. Being part of a community of believers provides support and encouragement in this journey. It is not a solitary endeavor, but a communal one, where we grow together in our understanding and experience of God. ([59:33])
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you actively seek God and engage with the community of believers today? Can you think of one specific way to encourage a fellow believer in their journey of faith?
Quotes
1. "Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from me you can do nothing." [41:47]
2. "The Old Testament and then the New Testament are full of stories of God working in and through angels to intervene to love to care to guide to bring messages to God's people." [46:17]
3. "Allow your heart and your mind to imagine again just what one of these creatures again if if one just showed up in the room right now how you would respond to such a magnificent and beautiful and Powerful Eternal creature" [55:58]
4. "The main point of every single one of these texts and the main point of the entirety of scripture is to keep our hearts and eyes and Minds fixed on the Living God to keep our hearts eyes Minds fixed on Jesus Christ on the holy spirit that he has sent" [57:49]
5. "We want to give fully of ourselves and fully of all that you've given to us right back to you God, and we thank you that as we adore you in that way we find real true everlasting life." [01:12:17]
6. "God chooses to bless us with relationships. Are we willing to lay those relationships at the feet of Jesus as a way of adoring him and worshiping him?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BXA6aIY0jM&t=3818.4s
7. "The value of the crown that awaits everyone who believes in Jesus Christ pales in comparison to any earthly crown. There's eternal and infinite value in the crowns that God gives to you and me when we are standing in his presence." - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BXA6aIY0jM&t=3855.559s
8. "Are you willing to take your power, authority, and influence and lay them at the feet of Jesus? Are you willing to say, 'Lord, I want you to be able to use my authority, my influence, my power to bring your presence, your love, your joy into the lives of other people?'" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BXA6aIY0jM&t=3894.68s
9. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory." This quote emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of God and His presence, as proclaimed by the seraphim in Isaiah's vision. It reminds us of the greatness and holiness of God that permeates the entire earth.
10. "The voices of these Angels were so great and so powerful as they declared holy holy holy is the Lord Almighty that the door frames, the thresholds, the doorposts of the temple of God were shaking." This quote highlights the immense power and impact of the angelic voices, shaking the very foundations of the temple. It serves as a reminder of the overwhelming power and majesty of God.
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