Embracing Christ's Preeminence: Faith, Generosity, and Discipleship

 

Summary

In reflecting on the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, we see a profound lesson in the willingness to give and the abundance that follows. Jesus, through a simple act of sharing, provided for thousands, illustrating the power of faith and generosity. Yet, the crowd's subsequent pursuit of Jesus for material benefits rather than spiritual truth highlights a common human tendency to seek God for what He can give rather than who He is. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Jesus' identity and His call to discipleship.

In the upper room, Jesus shared intimate moments with His disciples, emphasizing servanthood, love, and prayer. This sacred time is commemorated in the Christian tradition of communion, a practice of remembrance and reflection on Christ's sacrifice. Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of Me" invites believers to continually reflect on His life, death, and resurrection, recognizing the profound gift of salvation.

The sermon then transitions to the preeminence of Christ, as articulated in Philippians 2:9. Jesus is exalted above all, His name above every name, demanding our worship and devotion. This is not based on tradition or culture but on the reality of who Jesus is. C.S. Lewis's famous trilemma challenges us to confront the truth of Jesus' claims: He is either Lord, lunatic, or liar. Neutrality is not an option.

The call to follow Jesus is personal and unique, shaped by our God-given purpose. It is not about perfection but about determination and stewardship of what we have. Jesus' preeminence demands that He be first in our lives, above all earthly things. This alignment with Christ brings enlightenment, hope, and the immeasurable greatness of His power in our lives.

Ultimately, the sermon challenges us to make Jesus preeminent, recognizing that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Our response to His call is to follow Him, not out of obligation, but out of a deep recognition of His supremacy and love. In doing so, we align ourselves with God's eternal purpose and experience the fullness of life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Generosity and Abundance: The feeding of the 5,000 teaches us that when we give what we have, no matter how small, God can multiply it to meet the needs of many. This act of faith and generosity is a powerful reminder of God's provision and the impact of selfless giving. [01:29]

2. The Call to Remembrance: Communion is a sacred practice that invites us to remember and reflect on Christ's sacrifice. It is a time to pause and consider the depth of His love and the gift of salvation, reminding us of the importance of gratitude and reflection in our spiritual journey. [02:47]

3. The Preeminence of Christ: Jesus is exalted above all, His name above every name. This truth demands our worship and devotion, challenging us to confront the reality of who Jesus is and to make Him first in our lives, above all earthly things. [09:45]

4. Personal Call to Follow: Following Jesus is a personal call shaped by our unique purpose. It is not about perfection but about determination and stewardship of what we have, aligning our lives with God's will and experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. [35:06]

5. The Power of Alignment: Aligning ourselves with Christ brings enlightenment, hope, and the immeasurable greatness of His power in our lives. This alignment allows us to resist worldly temptations and live in the fullness of God's purpose and joy. [38:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:29] - Feeding the 5,000
- [02:47] - Communion and Remembrance
- [03:43] - Invitation to Participate
- [04:28] - The Bread and the Body
- [05:20] - The Wine and the Blood
- [08:17] - Who is Jesus to You?
- [09:45] - C.S. Lewis and the Trilemma
- [10:30] - The Choice We Must Make
- [12:39] - The Preeminence of Christ
- [14:27] - Faith and Imperfection
- [15:31] - Four Reasons for Christ's Preeminence
- [18:13] - The Model Prayer
- [21:16] - Aligning with Eternal Glory
- [23:12] - Jesus as Head of the Church
- [27:23] - The Fullness of God in Christ
- [35:06] - Personal Call to Follow
- [38:38] - Benefits of Believing
- [45:51] - The Great Divide
- [52:46] - The Preeminence of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 6:1-14 - The Feeding of the 5,000
2. Philippians 2:9-11 - The Preeminence of Christ
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - The Lord's Supper

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, what was the significance of the boy's willingness to share his lunch, and how did Jesus use it to teach a lesson on generosity and abundance? [01:29]

2. During the Last Supper, what specific actions did Jesus take to emphasize the importance of remembrance and reflection on His sacrifice? [02:47]

3. According to Philippians 2:9-11, what does it mean for Jesus to have a name above every name, and how does this relate to His preeminence? [09:45]

4. How did Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, reflect his understanding of Jesus' identity despite his personal weaknesses? [08:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 illustrate the relationship between faith, generosity, and God's provision? What might this teach us about our own acts of giving? [01:29]

2. In what ways does the practice of communion serve as a call to remember and reflect on Christ's sacrifice, and how might this impact a believer's spiritual journey? [02:47]

3. What are the implications of Jesus' preeminence for a believer's daily life, and how might this understanding challenge cultural or traditional views of worship? [09:45]

4. How does the concept of following Jesus as a personal and unique call shape a believer's understanding of discipleship and their God-given purpose? [35:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you gave generously, even if it seemed small. How did God use that act of generosity to bless others or yourself? How can you be more intentional about giving in your daily life? [01:29]

2. During communion, believers are invited to remember Christ's sacrifice. How can you incorporate this practice of remembrance into your daily routine to deepen your gratitude and reflection on His love? [02:47]

3. Jesus' preeminence demands that He be first in our lives. Identify one area where you struggle to put Jesus first. What steps can you take this week to realign that area with His preeminence? [09:45]

4. Consider your unique God-given purpose. How can you steward your current resources and circumstances to follow Jesus more closely? What might be holding you back from fully embracing this call? [35:06]

5. The sermon mentioned the power of alignment with Christ. What specific worldly temptations do you face that challenge this alignment, and how can you resist them to live in the fullness of God's purpose? [38:38]

6. Reflect on C.S. Lewis's trilemma about Jesus being Lord, lunatic, or liar. How does this challenge your understanding of Jesus' identity, and how might it influence your conversations with others about faith? [10:30]

7. Think about a person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, sharing the hope and power of aligning with Christ? [35:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Generosity Multiplies Blessings
In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, we witness a profound demonstration of how generosity, even when it seems small, can lead to abundance. Jesus took a modest offering of five loaves and two fish and, through faith and the willingness to share, provided for thousands. This miracle illustrates the power of giving and the divine multiplication that can occur when we offer what we have to God. It challenges us to trust in God's provision and to recognize that our acts of selfless giving can have far-reaching impacts. The crowd's pursuit of Jesus for material benefits rather than spiritual truth serves as a reminder to seek God for who He is, not just for what He can provide. [01:29]

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." (Proverbs 11:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a small act of generosity you can perform today. How can you trust God to multiply its impact beyond what you can see?


Day 2: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice
Communion is a sacred practice that invites believers to remember and reflect on Christ's sacrifice. It is a time to pause and consider the depth of His love and the gift of salvation. Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of Me" is an invitation to continually reflect on His life, death, and resurrection. This practice of remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound opportunity to express gratitude and deepen our spiritual journey. By participating in communion, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude and reflection in our walk with Christ. [02:47]

"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare for your next communion, what specific aspect of Christ's sacrifice are you most grateful for, and how can you express that gratitude in your daily life?


Day 3: Christ's Supreme Authority
The preeminence of Christ is a central theme in the Christian faith. Jesus is exalted above all, His name above every name, demanding our worship and devotion. This truth challenges us to confront the reality of who Jesus is and to make Him first in our lives, above all earthly things. C.S. Lewis's trilemma—Jesus as Lord, lunatic, or liar—compels us to make a choice about His identity. Neutrality is not an option. Recognizing Christ's supreme authority calls us to align our lives with His will and to live in a way that reflects His lordship. [09:45]

"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to acknowledge Christ's authority? How can you begin to surrender that area to Him today?


Day 4: Embracing Your Unique Call
Following Jesus is a personal call shaped by our unique purpose. It is not about perfection but about determination and stewardship of what we have. Each believer is called to align their life with God's will, experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. This journey is personal and unique, requiring us to embrace our God-given purpose and to steward our resources and talents for His glory. It is a call to live with intention and to pursue the path that God has set before us, trusting in His guidance and provision. [35:06]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What unique gifts or talents has God given you, and how can you use them to serve others and fulfill your purpose in Christ?


Day 5: Aligning with Christ's Power
Aligning ourselves with Christ brings enlightenment, hope, and the immeasurable greatness of His power in our lives. This alignment allows us to resist worldly temptations and live in the fullness of God's purpose and joy. When we prioritize our relationship with Christ, we experience the transformative power of His presence, which empowers us to overcome challenges and to live with purpose and joy. This alignment is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to seek His will and to walk in His ways. [38:38]

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to align your life more closely with Christ's teachings and experience His power in your daily walk?

Quotes

"The little boy willing to share his lunch. Through His giving, the benefit was to the thousands. And imagine that. I don't know who in the crowd really even realized what was going on, but everyone in the crowd ate and ate and they ate and it was like Thanksgiving lunch. They couldn't eat anymore. And they took over all of the baskets extra." [00:00:27] (27 seconds)


"Depending on the tradition, they pause to have a time of reflection of what Christ has done. And Jesus said, when He was with them and eating and drinking with them, He said to them, do this in remembrance of Me. And so that's what we will do today." [00:02:29] (18 seconds)


"Philippians chapter 2 verse 9 calls to our attention a name above every name the name of Jesus I started last week just considering not a name by name character change or description of who Jesus is but kind of a concept of Jesus being preeminent as Colossians says he's preeminent above every earthly thing his name has been given a credit by God as being first foremost among every name upon the earth and to me I think it's reasonable for us as thinking people why should I worship Christ why should I give time and effort and money and time talent why should I be involved in Christian life why should we do this it's based not on tradition not based upon culture not based upon family of origin practices it is based upon the reality of who Jesus is Philippians 2 verse 9 here's the verse Verse, therefore God has highly exalted Him, Jesus, and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name." [00:06:21] (81 seconds)


"Putting Jesus as a name above every name. Seeing Jesus superior over every earthly thing. No substitute. Making him preeminent first. This orients you. It puts you in a position to succeed and grow spiritually where you begin to seek God for who he is and who Jesus is." [00:27:03] (21 seconds)


"Follow me is a personal call from God to you, and it is shaped by your unique God -created purpose for which he made you. So when I say to you, follow me, it's not the same for all of us. For some of them, they had to give up their nets. They had to give up their business. They had to go and be itinerant evangelists." [00:34:34] (24 seconds)


"From the beginning of time, God knew you and made you for his glory. And for your joy in fulfilling that purpose. What purpose? That you would be what he made you to be. For most of us, the call is centered in our present circumstances. Therefore, most of us need not abandon our nets, like when Jesus called the fishermen to put their nets down and become my disciple." [00:35:20] (24 seconds)


"Under the idea that God created us, created each of us uniquely and purposefully for His glory and our joy, we get busy with what we have today at this moment. If God's got something bigger for you to do, He'll let you know. He's got no problem communicating what He's got. So therefore, everybody can worship God and place Jesus preeminently by being a good steward of what they have in their possession right now." [00:37:48] (28 seconds)


"The eyes of your heart would be enlightened that you may know what is the hope in which He has called you that are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the same. Benefits three. That you would know the riches of the glorious inheritance of His saints. This life is passing along." [00:41:12] (16 seconds)


"Verse 19, and what is the immeasurable... This is the fourth benefit. What is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe? Immeasurable greatness of His power. Everybody's moping around. I can't get out of a rut. I can't fix my problem. I can't solve any of this problem. I, I, I, I." [00:42:41] (18 seconds)


"Some of you just need to give up and give it to Jesus. You're this close to getting born again. Come on now. 1 John 4, 10. In this love, not that we have loved God, but in this love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation. He solved it and took it away." [00:45:51] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
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