Destiny Church | The Ultimate GOAT | Hebrews 2:14-18

I invited us to light candles because Christmas is about the Light entering the dark. John says the life of Christ is the light of humanity, and the darkness cannot overcome it. We named the darkness we see—moral, political, financial, even spiritual—and then we reminded our souls: you only know it’s dark because the Light is real. That Light is not an idea; He is a Person. And unlike every “GOAT” we argue about in sports, business, or tech, Jesus doesn’t dominate one domain for a short season. He confronts the deepest human enemies—sin, death, fear, and separation from God—and He wins.

Hebrews 2 takes us deeper than the wrapping paper of the holiday. It shows the implications of the incarnation. First, He associates with us. He “had to be made like His brothers,” entering our flesh and blood. Redemption requires identification. Second, He intervenes for us. Through His death He destroys the one who held the power of death. Death is beaten by the only One who walked through it and came out Lord. Third, He emancipates us from lifelong slavery to the fear of death. Freedom is not the absence of hard circumstances; it’s the presence of Christ’s authority inside them. Fourth, He empathizes with us and helps us. Having been tempted and suffered, He now meets us with mercy and timely grace. Emmanuel is not a Sunday word; He is a Monday-through-Saturday Presence—in the boardroom, the classroom, the kitchen, and the checkout line. Finally, He propitiates for us. Our best efforts cannot cleanse guilt; only the atoning sacrifice God accepts can do that. Jesus is that sacrifice. So we stop measuring ourselves with our own tape measure and submit to God’s standard—Christ’s righteousness for our sin.

So let’s celebrate. But let’s be clear about what we celebrate. Not the gifts under a tree, but the One who hung on a tree. Love righteousness. Hate wickedness. And rest in the joy that the Ultimate GOAT remains with us and for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Light that darkness cannot overcome The presence of Christ doesn’t deny the darkness; it defines it and defeats it. When the Light shows up, we gain clarity about what’s broken and hope about what’s possible. Our courage doesn’t come from favorable headlines but from an unfailing Light that keeps shining. Live as a person of the Light in dark places. [29:01]
• 2. Jesus is the unrivaled GOAT Every human “great” has limits: one field, one era, one decline. Jesus alone enters our condition, confronts sin and death, and reconciles us to God. He is not just impressive; He is without rival. Align your awe accordingly. [43:09]
• 3. He came near to redeem us Incarnation means identification—He “had to be made like His brothers.” He didn’t rescue us from a safe distance; He stepped into our skin and our struggle. Because He knows it from the inside, His mercy is never condescending, only faithful and near. [53:23]
• 4. Freedom from fear of death now The fear of death quietly governs our decisions, control, and anxiety. Christ breaks that bondage, separating our inner disposition from our outer circumstances. You may not be out of the storm, but you are out of slavery to it. Walk as someone already free. [67:07]
• 5. God-accepted atonement, not self-atonement We try to pay for sin with sincerity, philanthropy, or morality—our tape measure always lies. Propitiation means God Himself provides the atoning sacrifice He accepts. Lay down self-payment plans and rest in the cleansing only Christ’s blood accomplishes. [83:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Candlelighting: Christ the Light
• [29:01] - Light That Darkness Cannot Overcome
• [39:46] - The GOAT Debate Across Domains
• [43:09] - Jesus, the Ultimate GOAT
• [46:35] - Incarnation: Deeper than Gifts
• [49:51] - Hebrews: Christ’s Supremacy
• [53:23] - He Associates With Us
• [56:40] - He Intervenes: Defeats Death
• [61:55] - The Cross Begins Victory
• [64:57] - New Representation in Christ
• [67:07] - Freedom from Fear of Death
• [71:07] - He Helps the Tempted
• [83:30] - Propitiation: Atoning Sacrifice
• [91:44] - Next Steps and New Year Vision

1. In Hebrews 2:14-18, what specific actions does Jesus take? Name them from the text and note who benefits from each one.
2. Verse 17 says He “had to be made like his brothers in every respect.” What necessity is being emphasized here by the phrase “had to”?
3. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” ([29:01]). What is being claimed about light and darkness in that line?
4. “No one else has entered our condition, defeated our enemy, freed our capacity, satisfied God’s justice, and remained present in our current struggle” ([49:51]). Identify these five works and match them with the parts of Hebrews 2:14-18 that speak to each one.

1. If redemption requires identification, why does verse 17 say He “had to be made like his brothers”? What does that teach about why the incarnation matters for saving people, not just inspiring them?
2. Hebrews 2:14 says Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death “through death.” How does defeating death by dying make sense? What is this saying about the cross as victory, not defeat ([01:01:55])?
3. Hebrews 2:15 says Jesus delivers people from lifelong slavery to the fear of death. What might real freedom look like if circumstances stay hard but the heart is released from fear ([01:07:07])?
4. Verse 17 says Jesus made “propitiation” for sins. Why are human “payment plans” (sincerity, philanthropy, morality) not enough, and what does it mean that God accepts Jesus’ atonement in our place ([01:20:33])?

1. “The light shines in the darkness” ([29:01]). Where do you see darkness right now (home, news, work, inner life)? What is one small, concrete way you can live as a person of the Light there this week?
2. Many “GOATs” are great for a season, but only Jesus confronts sin, death, fear, and separation from God ([43:09]). Whose greatness most captures your awe lately? What would it look like to re-align your awe toward Jesus in a daily habit (music, Scripture, conversation, giving)?
3. Emmanuel is not just a Sunday word; He is present in ordinary places—the boardroom, classroom, kitchen, and checkout line. Where do you tend to forget He is with you, and what simple practice will raise your awareness there (a breath prayer, a verse on your phone, a pause before speaking) ([01:01:55])?
4. “Through fear of death” people are held in lifelong slavery ([01:07:07]). Think about a recent decision driven by control or anxiety. If you were already free in Christ, how would that same situation look different next time (pace, tone, words, boundaries)?
5. Jesus invites people to “draw near to the throne of grace” for mercy and timely help ([01:11:07]). Where are you being tempted right now? What is your plan this week to draw near for help (when, where, what Scripture, who will you tell)?
6. Using the wrong “tape measure” leads to self-atonement—trying to pay for failure with effort, image, or niceness. Where do you see that in yourself (overworking, people-pleasing, giving to feel “clean”)? What would laying down your tape measure and resting in Christ’s righteousness look like in one specific situation ([01:26:19])?
7. “Love righteousness and hate wickedness” (Hebrews 1:8-9 echoed) ([01:27:46]). Name one habit this week that will help you love righteousness (serve, confess, tell the truth, reconcile) and one step to hate and flee wickedness (remove a shortcut, set a boundary, change a feed). What support do you need from the group to walk it out?