Christ: The Fulfillment of Grace and Worship

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Sacrifice as the Fulcrum of Grace

The cross of Christ stands as the pivotal point in the history of grace, where every act of grace before it anticipated its coming, and every act since reflects back on its significance. This centrality of the cross underscores the profound truth that Jesus' sacrifice is the foundation of all grace, past and present. It is through this sacrifice that the fullness of God's grace is revealed, offering redemption and reconciliation to humanity. The cross is not merely a historical event but the axis upon which the entire narrative of grace turns, making Christ the center of redemption history. [10:43]

Hebrews 9:26 (ESV): "For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Reflection: How does recognizing the cross as the center of grace change the way you view your daily interactions with others? Can you identify one relationship where you can extend grace today, reflecting the grace you have received through Christ's sacrifice?

Day 2: The Reality Beyond Shadows

With the coming of Christ, the Old Testament shadows, such as the Tabernacle and sacrifices, have been fulfilled and surpassed. These were mere pointers to the reality found in Christ, who embodies the true essence of what they symbolized. The rituals and symbols of the old covenant served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate reality that is realized in Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection bring to completion the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, replacing the shadows with the substance of His presence and work. This transition from shadow to reality invites believers to embrace the fullness of life in Christ, free from the constraints of the old system. [05:22]

Colossians 2:17 (ESV): "These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."

Reflection: In what ways have you been holding onto old traditions or rituals that may be hindering your experience of the reality found in Christ? How can you begin to embrace the fullness of life in Him today?

Day 3: The Unmatched Priesthood of Christ

Jesus' priesthood is superior to the old priesthood established under the Mosaic Law. Unlike the priests of old, who were weak and sinful, Jesus is sinless, eternal, and His sacrifice was once for all. His priesthood is established by a divine oath, making it unchangeable and superior. This eternal priesthood means that Jesus lives forever to intercede for us, offering a perfect and complete mediation between God and humanity. His role as the ultimate high priest assures believers of a constant and unbreakable connection with God, grounded in His once-for-all sacrifice and eternal intercession. [09:16]

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus intercedes for you change your approach to prayer and your relationship with God? What specific area of your life do you need to bring before Him in prayer today, trusting in His eternal priesthood?

Day 4: The Liberating Freedom in Worship

The old forms and rituals of worship have been replaced by a spiritual, personal encounter with Christ. This freedom in worship allows for diverse expressions, focusing on a genuine connection with God rather than adherence to tradition. Worship is no longer confined to specific places or forms but is a continuous, all-encompassing act of living in connection with the living Christ. This shift calls believers to engage in worship that is both liberating and challenging, as it requires a focus on authenticity and personal relationship with God. [19:12]

John 4:23-24 (ESV): "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to worship God in spirit and truth in your daily life? How can you incorporate this understanding into your personal worship practices today?

Day 5: The Missionary Call of Worship

The New Testament's stripped-down approach to worship is intentional, allowing it to be adapted to every culture. This reflects the missionary call to spread the gospel across the world, as worship becomes a vehicle for sharing the message of Christ in diverse cultural contexts. The simplicity and adaptability of New Testament worship enable believers to engage with people from all walks of life, breaking down barriers and building bridges for the gospel. This missionary nature of worship challenges believers to think beyond their own cultural expressions and embrace a global perspective in their worship and witness. [24:22]

1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

Reflection: How can you adapt your worship practices to better connect with those from different cultural backgrounds? What steps can you take today to engage in worship that reflects the missionary call to spread the gospel?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the centrality of Christ's sacrifice on the cross as the foundation of all grace throughout history. From creation to the cross, every act of grace looked forward to this pivotal event, and every act of grace since looks back to it. Jesus is presented as the ultimate high priest and mediator, surpassing the old priesthood established under the Mosaic Law. The Old Testament rituals, including the Tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifices, were mere shadows pointing to the reality found in Christ. With His coming, these shadows are replaced by the reality of His presence and work.

The sermon emphasizes that Jesus is not just another priest but the final high priest who fulfills and ends the need for the old system. His sinlessness, once-for-all sacrifice, and eternal priesthood set Him apart. Unlike the priests of old, who were weak and sinful, Jesus is strong, sinless, and eternal, ministering in the true heavenly Tabernacle. His priesthood is established by a divine oath, not a changeable law, and He lives forever to intercede for us.

The implications for worship are profound. The old forms and rituals are gone, replaced by a spiritual, personal encounter with Christ. Worship is no longer confined to specific places or forms but is a continuous, all-encompassing act of living in connection with the living Christ. This freedom in worship is both liberating and challenging, as it calls for a focus on genuine connection with God rather than adherence to tradition.

Key Takeaways

1. down approach to worship is intentional, allowing it to be adapted to every culture. This reflects the missionary call to spread the gospel across the world. [24:22]
** [24:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Christ as the Center of Grace
[00:56] - Jesus as High Priest and Mediator
[01:13] - Old Testament Shadows
[03:34] - Illustration of Shadows and Reality
[05:01] - Christmas: Reality Replacing Shadows
[06:00] - The Main Point: Our High Priest
[08:01] - The True Tabernacle
[08:38] - Superiority of Jesus' Priesthood
[10:25] - Once for All Sacrifice
[11:33] - Divine Oath and Eternal Priesthood
[13:28] - Forever Priesthood
[15:52] - Summary of Christ's Work
[18:32] - Implications for Worship
[24:22] - Missionary Nature of Worship
[25:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 7:26-8:5
- Exodus 25:40
- Psalm 110:4

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Observation Questions:

What does Hebrews 7:26-8:5 say about the nature of Jesus' priesthood compared to the old priesthood? How is Jesus described in these verses? [00:56]
According to the sermon, what was the purpose of the Old Testament rituals and how do they relate to Christ? [01:34]
How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "shadows" and "reality" using the example of a child in a grocery store? [03:34]
What does the sermon say about the significance of Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice? How does this differ from the sacrifices of the old priests? [09:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' priesthood is superior to the old priesthood? Consider the aspects of sinlessness, eternal life, and divine oath. [08:38]
How does the concept of "shadows" and "reality" help us understand the transition from Old Testament practices to New Testament faith? [05:22]
What does the sermon imply about the nature of worship in the New Testament compared to the Old Testament? How does this reflect the freedom and challenge of worship today? [19:12]
How does the sermon describe the missionary nature of worship in the New Testament? What implications does this have for how worship is practiced across different cultures? [24:22]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea that Christ's sacrifice is the center of all grace. How does this understanding impact your view of God's grace in your life today? [10:43]
The sermon describes Jesus as the final high priest who fulfills and ends the need for the old system. How does this influence your understanding of religious rituals and traditions? [06:00]
With the freedom in worship described in the sermon, how can you ensure that your worship is a genuine connection with God rather than mere tradition? [19:12]
The sermon emphasizes the missionary nature of worship. How can you incorporate this perspective into your personal worship and community worship practices? [24:22]
Consider the idea that every act of worship is an act of living in connection with Christ. How can you integrate this mindset into your daily routine, whether at work, home, or church? [19:56]
The sermon suggests that the New Testament's approach to worship is adaptable to every culture. How can you embrace this adaptability in your own worship experience, especially in a multicultural setting? [24:42]
Reflect on the freedom and challenge of worship as described in the sermon. What specific steps can you take to deepen your personal worship experience and encourage others to do the same? [22:13]

Sermon Clips

Christ is established in his death as the center of the history of Grace so that beginning with creation right down to the Cross Every Act of Grace that God performed looked forward to the Cross as its foundation and Every Act of Grace that God is now performing in history and will perform to all eternity looks back to the Cross as its foundation. [00:00:06]

Now the point here is is that when God came down assembled His People Israel at Mount Si and and established a kind of constitution with them in the Mosaic law and told them how to build the Tabernacle and dress his priests and do the sacrifices he was not making something up ad hoc that's what this text is saying. [00:01:27]

Christmas is Jesus stepping out from around the corner and the Shadows are gone the priesthood is gone the Tabernacles are gone the temple is gone the animal sacrifices are gone the yearly feasting is gone circumcision is gone vestments are gone it's over why because they were all verse 5 Shadows pointers copies of what of Christ mainly and so Christmas is the replacing of Shadows with reality. [00:05:01]

The main point in what has been said is this we have such a high priest such he's just referred to a sinless glorious son we have such a high priest who has taken his seat at the right hand of the Throne of the majesty and Heaven a minister in the sanctuary and the true Tabernacle not the shadow Tabernacle which the Lord pitched not man. [00:06:03]

The point of these verses in 26 to 28 is simply to celebrate extol lift up the superiority of Jesus our high priest above all those other priests let me point out five superiorities just briefly first he's sinless verse 26 holy innocent undefiled separated from Sinners exalted above the heavens they were all Sinners those former priests not he. [00:08:38]

He didn't therefore have to offer any sacrifices for his own sin but instead he himself as sinless could become the sacrifice verse 27 he does not need daily like those High priests to offer up sacrifices first for his own sin since he didn't have any and then for the sins of the people because this he did once for all when he offered up himself. [00:09:05]

Instead of a law which was very changeable ordaining weak priests you have an oath ordaining a sun priest let's read that verse 28 the law appoints men as high priests who are weak every levite every son of of Aaron was weak but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a son. [00:11:30]

The oath appoints a son made perfect forever Jesus Never Dies he never has to be replaced he has an indestructible life he outlives all of his foes and enemies and he is therefore always like we saw last week in verse 25 of chapter 7 always able to save because he ever lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through him. [00:13:34]

The sacrificial offerings are gone the priesthood is gone the Tabernacle is gone the dietary laws are gone in other words the entire worship life of the Old Testament has been decimated and in its place comes something radically spiritual not a new building but a radically spiritual personal encounter with the living Christ. [00:18:36]

The external is real but in the New Testament the spiritual unseen reality of the living in Christ present by his Spirit filling empowering transforming receiving worship so pervades all externality that not one building but every building is a place of worship and not one place or act is worship but every Act is an act of worship. [00:19:16]

This is stunning when you read the New Testament mark this all the religious objects and forms of the Old Testament are gone read the New Testament to try to find out how to Worship in vain there is no authorization in the New Testament for worship buildings worship dress worship time kinds of music worship liturgy worship size 35 minutes sermons Advent poems choirs any instruments candles nothing is authorized or forbidden. [00:21:02]

The New Testament is a missionary document it means for radical intense personal worship to be transferred to and incarnate in every culture and every people group in the world even though they may do it radically different than we that's why the New Testament is strip form it goes free into every culture. [00:24:22]

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Christ: The Fulfillment of Grace and Worship

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Sacrifice as the Fulcrum of Grace

Day 2: The Reality Beyond Shadows

Day 3: The Unmatched Priesthood of Christ

Day 4: The Liberating Freedom in Worship

Day 5: The Missionary Call of Worship

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Christ: The Fulfillment of Grace and Worship

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