Embracing New Beginnings: Knowing Jesus Together

 

Summary

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we are filled with anticipation and hope for what lies ahead. This is a time to reflect on the past and to look forward to new beginnings, new habits, and new opportunities. As a church community, we are embarking on a journey to deepen our understanding of Jesus through a new series titled "Knowing Jesus: The Story Behind the Stories." This series will explore the life and ministry of Jesus, primarily through the Gospel of Mark, supplemented by insights from Matthew and Luke. Our goal is to gain a richer, more detailed understanding of who Jesus was in the first century and what that means for us today.

Reflecting on our recent journey through the Old Testament, we see a narrative of identity, calling, presence, and failure. God formed Israel to reflect His light and truth, yet the darkness within and around them often overshadowed their purpose. Despite their failures, God promised renewal and restoration, a theme echoed in the prophetic writings of Isaiah. The servant songs of Isaiah speak of a remnant called to renew Israel and extend God's salvation to the ends of the earth. This unfulfilled promise sets the stage for the New Testament and the coming of Jesus, the ultimate servant who fulfills these prophecies.

As we transition into this new series, we are invited to reflect on our own lives. What are the unfulfilled promises and hopes we carry? Where do we sense God's presence and calling? How do we respond to our failures and the failures we perceive in God's promises? These reflections are crucial as we seek to understand Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as a living presence in our lives today. Our exploration of Jesus' life is not merely an academic exercise but a spiritual journey to know Him more deeply and to allow His story to transform our own.

Key Takeaways:

1. New Beginnings and Reflections: The new year is a time for reflection and renewal. As we look forward to 2025, we are encouraged to consider what old habits we need to leave behind and what new patterns we wish to establish. This reflection is not just personal but communal, as we embark on a new series to deepen our understanding of Jesus. [05:12]

2. Old Testament Themes: The Old Testament narrative is rich with themes of identity, calling, presence, and failure. These themes are not just historical but resonate with our own spiritual journeys. We are called to reflect on how these themes manifest in our lives and how they shape our understanding of God's work in the world. [11:44]

3. Isaiah's Servant Songs: The servant songs in Isaiah highlight a remnant called to renew Israel and extend God's salvation to the world. These prophecies, unfulfilled in the Old Testament, find their fulfillment in Jesus. They challenge us to consider our role in God's ongoing story of redemption and renewal. [21:21]

4. Unfulfilled Promises and Hope: The gap between God's promises and our reality can be a source of tension and hope. As we reflect on the unfulfilled places in our lives, we are invited to trust in God's faithfulness and to seek His presence and guidance as we move forward. [29:13]

5. Knowing Jesus Today: Understanding Jesus in the context of the first century is crucial for our faith today. Jesus is not just a historical figure but a living presence who speaks to us through His Spirit and His Word. Our journey to know Jesus more deeply is a journey to allow His story to transform our own. [34:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:12] - New Year Reflections
- [07:01] - Old Testament Review
- [08:19] - Creation and Identity
- [10:25] - Abraham's Calling
- [11:44] - Israel's Formation and Presence
- [13:41] - Kingship and Failure
- [15:25] - Promise of Renewal
- [16:51] - Personal Reflection
- [19:53] - Isaiah's Servant Songs
- [21:21] - Israel's New Calling
- [23:00] - Expanding the Mission
- [26:15] - Cosmic Salvation
- [27:19] - Unfulfilled Expectations
- [29:13] - Personal Unfulfilled Promises
- [30:10] - Invitation to Begin Again
- [32:08] - Knowing Jesus: A New Series
- [34:17] - Historical Understanding of Jesus
- [35:22] - Questions and Hopes for Jesus
- [37:13] - Closing Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 42:1-4
2. Isaiah 49:5-6
3. Isaiah 65:17-25

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the key themes identified in the Old Testament narrative as discussed in the sermon? [07:01]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the servant in Isaiah's servant songs? [21:21]
3. What is the significance of the new series "Knowing Jesus: The Story Behind the Stories" for the church community? [32:08]
4. How does the sermon connect the themes of identity, calling, presence, and failure from the Old Testament to our personal lives today? [16:51]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of a "new beginning" at the start of a new year relate to the themes of renewal and restoration in Isaiah's prophecies? [05:12]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the unfulfilled promises in the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Jesus? [23:00]
3. How does the sermon encourage us to view Jesus not just as a historical figure but as a living presence in our lives today? [34:17]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of the church community in reflecting God's light and truth in the world today? [11:44]

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Application Questions:

1. As you reflect on the past year, what old habits or patterns do you feel called to leave behind, and what new habits do you want to establish in 2025? [05:12]
2. How can you actively seek God's presence and calling in your life as you move into the new year? What steps can you take to be more attuned to His guidance? [16:51]
3. In what areas of your life do you feel there are unfulfilled promises or hopes? How can you trust in God's faithfulness and seek His guidance in these areas? [29:13]
4. How can the themes of identity, calling, presence, and failure from the Old Testament narrative help you understand your own spiritual journey? [15:25]
5. What role do you see yourself playing in God's ongoing story of redemption and renewal? How can you contribute to extending God's salvation to those around you? [21:21]
6. How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus through the new series "Knowing Jesus: The Story Behind the Stories"? What specific actions can you take to engage with this series? [32:08]
7. What questions or hopes do you bring to Jesus as you enter 2025, and how can you invite Him to transform your story through His presence and Word? [35:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing New Beginnings
As we stand at the start of a new year, we are invited to reflect on the past and consider the changes we wish to make moving forward. This is a time for both personal and communal reflection, as we seek to leave behind old habits and establish new patterns that align with our spiritual growth. The church community is embarking on a journey to deepen our understanding of Jesus through a new series titled "Knowing Jesus: The Story Behind the Stories." This series aims to explore the life and ministry of Jesus, primarily through the Gospel of Mark, with insights from Matthew and Luke. Our goal is to gain a richer understanding of who Jesus was in the first century and what that means for us today. [05:12]

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19, ESV)

Reflection: What is one old habit you feel called to leave behind as you enter this new year? How can you invite God into the process of establishing a new, life-giving pattern in its place?


Day 2: Learning from the Old Testament
The Old Testament is rich with themes of identity, calling, presence, and failure. These narratives are not just historical accounts but resonate deeply with our own spiritual journeys. As we reflect on these themes, we are encouraged to consider how they manifest in our lives and shape our understanding of God's work in the world. The story of Israel is one of being called to reflect God's light and truth, yet often falling short. Despite their failures, God promised renewal and restoration, a theme echoed in the prophetic writings of Isaiah. [11:44]

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." (Deuteronomy 7:6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you see the themes of identity, calling, presence, and failure playing out in your own life? How can you seek God's guidance to better align with His purpose for you?


Day 3: The Fulfillment of Isaiah's Servant Songs
Isaiah's servant songs highlight a remnant called to renew Israel and extend God's salvation to the world. These prophecies, unfulfilled in the Old Testament, find their fulfillment in Jesus, the ultimate servant. This challenges us to consider our role in God's ongoing story of redemption and renewal. As followers of Christ, we are invited to participate in this mission, extending God's love and salvation to those around us. [21:21]

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission of redemption and renewal in your community? What specific actions can you take this week to extend God's love to others?


Day 4: Navigating Unfulfilled Promises and Hope
The gap between God's promises and our reality can be a source of tension and hope. As we reflect on the unfulfilled places in our lives, we are invited to trust in God's faithfulness and seek His presence and guidance as we move forward. This journey requires patience and faith, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see the full picture. [29:13]

"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one unfulfilled promise or hope you are holding onto? How can you practice trusting in God's timing and faithfulness in this area of your life?


Day 5: Knowing Jesus in Today's Context
Understanding Jesus in the context of the first century is crucial for our faith today. Jesus is not just a historical figure but a living presence who speaks to us through His Spirit and His Word. Our journey to know Jesus more deeply is a journey to allow His story to transform our own. This transformation is not merely academic but a spiritual journey that impacts how we live and interact with the world around us. [34:17]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of Jesus' life and teachings this week? What specific steps can you take to allow His story to transform your own?

Quotes

"God formed Israel to reflect his light and truth to this world, establishing a nation with Jerusalem as its capital. But the darkness around and within Israel seemed to be stronger than the light that they were given, and this nation is abandoned by God and are scattered. Yet in the darkness of that moment in history, God promises to do something new, and he begins to gather them together again and bring them back to the land." [00:06:19] (26 seconds)


"In creation, God gives us, human beings, a role, a very, very vital role. And that was, I mentioned, a royal role. That is a princely or kingly or queenly role. A role with authority. Authority over creation, dominion over creation, God gives us. As Adam and Eve. But it's not just power and authority for the sake of power and authority, not just to rule over creation, but really it's to represent him in the midst of creation." [00:07:55] (40 seconds)


"Yet in the darkness of that moment in history, God promises to do something new and he begins to gather them together again and brings them back to the land. And really, that's what much of the prophets are about, especially the prophet Isaiah, who formed so much of the background for the New Testament. New Testament teaching. But before we go into that, I just want to pause here and give you an opportunity to reflect on those four chapters, those four key pivotal moments or chapters in the Old Testament." [00:15:45] (29 seconds)


"Through Isaiah and the other prophets, God tells them that there's this new chapter that's now being written for them. There are these four poems in the second part of Isaiah, what biblical scholars call the Servant Songs. And really, they have to do with Israel's calling within this exilic community. What is God trying to do? He's trying to renew Israel. So he's trying to renew Israel. So that they have established again, once more, their calling to be God's nation, to be God's people among this world." [00:20:55] (41 seconds)


"His servant, who has his spirit and bringing justice to the nations, not crying out, not raising his voice. In other words, a kind of a judgment. A gentle strength, a gentle presence of God in the world. Isaiah, chapter 49, it is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob. So it's talking about Israel, but in the context of a greater Israel. So Jacob represents Israel." [00:22:29] (31 seconds)


"Their reality, the exile's reality as they come home, it doesn't match this prophecy. Their reality does not meet God's expectations. So there's this gap now between their experience and God's promises. And perhaps the biggest gap of all is their lack of a leader, of a king to represent to them who God is, for a leader to lead them in God's ways, for a leader to represent the people to God, a king who looks like God to represent him on this earth. Nobody fills that role." [00:28:00] (44 seconds)


"And so there is this yearning also, for what they call a Mashiach, a Messiah, an anointed one to take on that role. And that's essentially where the Old Testament narrative ends. And that's where we ended too, as well, in just before the season of Advent. So I want to pause again and give you some time to reflect as we kind of, that second part of the message, we'll pause here." [00:29:11] (29 seconds)


"Jesus for them was not just a figure on the pages of a Bible. Jesus for them was somebody in the flesh and blood whom they knew, who fit within their understanding of reality and then broke it wide open. And that's what caused the birth of the church because they knew Jesus. They saw Jesus. They walked with Jesus. They heard from Jesus. They were taught by Jesus." [00:32:08] (33 seconds)


"Thank you that Jesus was not just a figure in history, but he's alive today, and he speaks to us today through your spirit, through your scriptures, through your prophets, through your church. He continues to speak to us today, and we hear his voice, those who are his disciples, those who know him. We can discern his voice in our hearts. Thank you." [00:37:13] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
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