From Adam to Christ: The New Creation's Hope
Summary
The essence of the message today is the profound contrast between the first man, Adam, and the second man, Jesus Christ, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:47. The first man, Adam, was of the earth, created from dust, and through his disobedience, sin and death entered the world. In contrast, the second man, Jesus, is the Lord from Heaven, who brings life and righteousness. This comparison is not just a theological concept but a transformative truth that impacts our lives and our understanding of God's redemptive plan.
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem marks the beginning of a new creation. While the Old Testament recounts the first creation, the New Testament heralds the new creation initiated by Christ. In the first creation, God made a perfect world and placed Adam in it. However, in the new creation, God begins with the perfect man, Jesus, and through Him, will ultimately restore the universe to its original perfection. This reversal of order highlights the uniqueness of God's redemptive work through Christ.
The first man, Adam, was created and placed in a perfect world, yet he failed, bringing sin and death into the world. In contrast, Jesus, the second man, entered a fallen world, yet He lived a life of perfect obedience, overcoming sin and death. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers us righteousness, peace, and eternal life. This is the hope and joy of Christmas: that through Jesus, we are no longer bound by the failures of the first man but are invited into the new life of the second man.
Key Takeaways:
- The contrast between Adam and Jesus highlights the transformative power of Christ's coming. While Adam's disobedience brought sin and death, Jesus' obedience brings righteousness and life. This truth invites us to live in the reality of the new creation, where we are no longer defined by sin but by the righteousness of Christ. [06:11]
- God's method in the new creation is a reversal of the old. Instead of starting with a perfect world, He begins with the perfect man, Jesus, who will ultimately restore all things. This emphasizes the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan and calls us to focus on Him as the source of our hope and transformation. [09:43]
- Jesus' entry into a fallen world underscores His mission to redeem and restore. Unlike Adam, who was placed in a perfect environment, Jesus came into a world marred by sin. His life and work demonstrate God's commitment to redeeming creation and invite us to participate in His redemptive mission. [18:33]
- The obedience of Jesus contrasts sharply with Adam's disobedience. Jesus' perfect obedience, even unto death, secures our righteousness and peace with God. This calls us to trust in His finished work and live in the freedom and joy that His obedience provides. [23:04]
- The ultimate victory of Jesus over death assures us of eternal life. While Adam's sin brought death, Jesus' resurrection guarantees our resurrection and eternal life. This hope transforms our present reality, giving us confidence and joy as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. [29:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15:47
[01:11] - The Message of Christmas
[02:07] - Beginning of the New Creation
[03:17] - Old Testament vs. New Testament
[04:00] - God's Method: Old and New
[05:01] - The Two Adams: A Contrast
[06:11] - The Glory of the Second Man
[08:14] - God's Reversed Method
[09:43] - Perfect Man, Perfect World
[11:00] - The New Creation's End
[12:10] - The Eternal Nature of Christ
[13:35] - Created vs. Begotten
[15:03] - Earthly vs. Heavenly
[17:21] - The Image of God
[18:33] - The World Christ Entered
[20:22] - The Work of the Two Men
[22:47] - The Obedience of Christ
[25:23] - The Righteousness of Christ
[27:06] - No Condemnation in Christ
[29:33] - Victory Over Death
[31:17] - The New Humanity
[32:44] - The Restoration of All Things
[34:01] - Conclusion and Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
2. Romans 5:12-21
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#### Observation Questions
1. What are the key differences between the first man, Adam, and the second man, Jesus, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:47? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the world into which Adam was placed compared to the world Jesus entered? [18:33]
3. What does the sermon say about the method God used in the old creation versus the new creation? [09:43]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the contrast between Adam's disobedience and Jesus' obedience highlight the transformative power of Christ's coming? [06:11]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' entry into a fallen world underscores His mission to redeem and restore? [18:33]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being the "Lord from Heaven" in contrast to Adam being "of the earth"? [12:10]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt defined by past failures. How does the message of being invited into the new life of the second man, Jesus, change your perspective? [06:11]
2. The sermon emphasizes focusing on Jesus as the source of hope and transformation. What practical steps can you take this week to keep your focus on Christ amidst daily distractions? [09:43]
3. How can you actively participate in God's redemptive mission in your community, following Jesus' example of entering a fallen world to bring restoration? [18:33]
4. Consider the areas in your life where you struggle with obedience. How can Jesus' perfect obedience inspire you to trust in His finished work and live in freedom and joy? [23:04]
5. The sermon speaks of the ultimate victory of Jesus over death. How does this assurance of eternal life impact your daily life and decisions? [29:33]
6. Identify one way you can embody the righteousness of Christ in your interactions with others this week. What specific action will you take to reflect this transformation?
7. How can the hope and joy of Christmas, as described in the sermon, influence your relationships and interactions during this holiday season? [06:11]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Christ's Coming
The contrast between Adam and Jesus is profound and transformative. Adam's disobedience introduced sin and death into the world, while Jesus' obedience brings righteousness and life. This truth invites believers to live in the reality of the new creation, where they are no longer defined by sin but by the righteousness of Christ. This transformation is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that impacts daily life. Embracing this truth means recognizing the power of Christ's coming to redefine identity and purpose, moving from a life bound by sin to one characterized by righteousness and life. [06:11]
1 Corinthians 15:22-23 (ESV): "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out the reality of being defined by Christ's righteousness rather than past failures today?
Day 2: God's Reversal in the New Creation
God's method in the new creation is a reversal of the old. Instead of starting with a perfect world, He begins with the perfect man, Jesus, who will ultimately restore all things. This emphasizes the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan and calls believers to focus on Him as the source of hope and transformation. The new creation is not about returning to the past but moving forward into a future where Christ's perfection restores and redeems. This reversal highlights the uniqueness of God's work through Christ and invites believers to participate in this redemptive mission. [09:43]
Isaiah 65:17-18 (ESV): "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness."
Reflection: How can you focus on Christ as the source of your hope and transformation in a specific area of your life today?
Day 3: Jesus' Mission to Redeem and Restore
Jesus' entry into a fallen world underscores His mission to redeem and restore. Unlike Adam, who was placed in a perfect environment, Jesus came into a world marred by sin. His life and work demonstrate God's commitment to redeeming creation and invite believers to participate in His redemptive mission. This mission is not just about personal salvation but about the restoration of all things, calling believers to join in the work of redemption in their communities and the world. [18:33]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can participate in Christ's mission to redeem and restore in your community this week?
Day 4: The Obedience of Christ
The obedience of Jesus contrasts sharply with Adam's disobedience. Jesus' perfect obedience, even unto death, secures believers' righteousness and peace with God. This calls believers to trust in His finished work and live in the freedom and joy that His obedience provides. Trusting in Christ's obedience means letting go of striving for righteousness through personal efforts and resting in the assurance of His completed work. This trust transforms how believers live, freeing them to experience the joy and peace that come from being in right relationship with God. [23:04]
Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV): "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust more in Christ's obedience rather than your own efforts?
Day 5: Victory Over Death and Assurance of Eternal Life
The ultimate victory of Jesus over death assures believers of eternal life. While Adam's sin brought death, Jesus' resurrection guarantees believers' resurrection and eternal life. This hope transforms present reality, giving confidence and joy as believers await the fulfillment of God's promises. The assurance of eternal life is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how believers live today, providing strength and courage to face life's challenges with the knowledge that death has been defeated. [29:33]
1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV): "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life through Jesus' victory over death change the way you approach challenges and difficulties today?
Quotes
The first man, Adam, was of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from Heaven. And as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the Heavenly, such are also they that are Heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly. [00:19:52]
Bethlehem, I say, is the beginning of the new creation. We very rightly divide our Bible into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Now, the Old Testament is the book in which we have an account of the first creation, what we may call the old creation. [00:02:52]
God dealt with the old world, the old creation, through a man. Adam was not only the first man, he was the representative man and the representative of men, and God dealt with Mankind in and through Adam. The great point which we must grasp as we contemplate what happened at Bethlehem is this: that God is here producing a second man. [00:04:16]
In the second creation, God has reversed the order completely. What He now has done is this: He starts the process of the second Creation with the perfect man, and He's going to end by producing the perfect world. Now, a hymn, one of the hymns we've sung this morning, has got this point. [00:09:34]
The first man was put into a perfect world. God made everything, and He looked at it and He saw that it was good. There was no defect, there was no blemish, there was nothing wrong in that original creation. There were no Thorns, there were no Briars, there were no pestilences, there were no diseases. [00:17:39]
The second man came into such a world. What a contrast! He didn't come into paradise and into Perfection; He came into the world such as you and I know it to be and such as men have made it to be. And the first man, you see, placed in Paradise, he didn't have any work to do. [00:19:24]
The first man failed. He was a failure, though he'd been made perfect and in the image and likeness of God and had Perfection round and about him. He failed, and he failed miserably and lamentably. He was guilty of an offense, the offense, rebellion of God, and transgression of his holy law. [00:21:12]
The first man failed; he became unrighteous himself, and he made us unrighteous. We are all born in sin and shapen in iniquity. There has never been a perfect man since Adam fell. All men have fallen with him, and we're all born imperfect. There is sin in us by nature. [00:25:00]
The first man brought us under judgment, under condemnation. But in the name of the second man, we are able to say there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation. We are finished with it. He's borne the punishment. [00:27:06]
The first man brought in death. What of this second man? Well, of course, as you know, it is the great theme of this 15th chapter of First Corinthians. But listen to our Lord in self putting it. He says, I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. [00:29:21]
This second man has entirely undone all the work of the first and infinitely more, and he has brought life and immortality to light through his gospel. And he is the firstborn of many Brethren. He's the head of a new humanity, and all who believe in him no longer belong to that first man. [00:30:50]
In this babe of Bethlehem, God has not only produced a second perfect man, the Lord from Heaven, in and through him, he's making a new race of men, and we shall finally be perfect. And then this son of God will come back again, and he will destroy all his enemies. [00:31:56]
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