From Skepticism to Faith: Embracing Christ's Truth
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound journey of Lee Strobel, a former atheist and journalist, who set out to disprove Christianity but ended up embracing it. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of truth and grace. Strobel's skepticism led him to investigate the claims of Christianity rigorously, and through this journey, he discovered the undeniable evidence of Christ's resurrection, which ultimately led him to faith. This narrative parallels the journey many of us face as we wrestle with truth and seek understanding in a world filled with skepticism.
We delved into the Gospel of John, particularly John 1:14, which encapsulates the essence of Christmas: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This verse, though simple, carries profound implications. It speaks of God incarnate, the divine becoming human, and dwelling among us. This concept was revolutionary and controversial to the Jews of the first century, who had no concept of the Trinity. Yet, it is the cornerstone of our faith, revealing the depth of God's love and grace.
The incarnation of Christ is not just a historical event but a living reality that continues to impact our lives. It is a reminder that God is with us, guiding us through life's journey, much like the Israelites were guided through the desert. The birth of Christ is intricately linked to His resurrection, highlighting that Christmas is a precursor to the ultimate miracle of Easter. Without Easter, the significance of Christmas would be lost.
As we reflect on the glory of Christ revealed through His life, death, and resurrection, we are called to recognize the treasure that is Jesus. In a world that often overlooks this divine treasure, we are encouraged to seek and embrace His grace, which is abundant and never-ending. This grace is evident from the beginning of creation and continues to sustain us today.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Journey from Skepticism to Faith: Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to Christianity highlights the power of seeking truth with an open heart. His story encourages us to investigate our doubts and questions, trusting that God will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. [04:44]
2. The Profound Mystery of the Incarnation: John 1:14 reveals the mystery of God becoming flesh. This verse challenges us to grasp the depth of God's love and the significance of His presence among us. It is a reminder that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. [12:08]
3. The Link Between Christmas and Easter: Christmas and Easter are inseparable in the Christian narrative. The birth of Christ is a precursor to His resurrection, emphasizing that the miracle of Christmas finds its fulfillment in the miracle of Easter. [18:07]
4. Recognizing the Treasure of Christ: In a world that often overlooks the divine treasure of Jesus, we are called to seek and embrace His glory and grace. This requires intentional reflection and a willingness to see Christ for who He truly is. [21:13]
5. The Abundance of God's Grace: God's grace is limitless and ever-present, sustaining us through life's challenges. From creation to the resurrection, grace is woven into the fabric of our faith, reminding us of God's unending love and provision. [31:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:50] - Lee Strobel's Journey
- [04:44] - Investigating Christianity
- [06:06] - Embracing Faith
- [07:46] - The Gospel of John
- [08:49] - Simplicity and Profundity
- [09:55] - The Theme of Love
- [12:08] - The Incarnation
- [13:14] - Controversy of the Trinity
- [14:37] - God Dwelling Among Us
- [16:08] - The Manger and the Cross
- [18:07] - Christmas and Easter
- [19:16] - Christ's Glory Revealed
- [21:13] - The Treasure of Jesus
- [23:14] - Waiting for Christ
- [24:13] - Beholding His Glory
- [25:18] - John the Baptist's Witness
- [27:16] - Our Greater Witness
- [28:42] - Amazing Grace
- [30:44] - Sharing the Gospel
- [31:27] - Grace Upon Grace
- [32:23] - God's Grace in Creation
- [33:41] - The Gospel in Genesis
- [36:59] - Invitation to Grace
- [39:50] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 1:14-17
- Philippians 2:8
- Hebrews 1:3
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Lee Strobel's initial attitude towards Christianity, and what led him to investigate it? [02:50]
2. How does John 1:14 describe the incarnation of Christ, and why was this concept controversial to the Jews of the first century? [12:08]
3. What is the connection between the manger and the cross as described in the sermon? [16:08]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between Christmas and Easter? [18:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Lee Strobel's journey from skepticism to faith illustrate the power of seeking truth with an open heart? [04:44]
2. In what ways does John 1:14 challenge believers to understand the depth of God's love and presence among us? [12:08]
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of recognizing Jesus as a divine treasure in a world that often overlooks Him? [21:13]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the ongoing impact of God's grace in our lives, from creation to resurrection? [31:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you wrestled with doubts or skepticism about your faith. How did you seek answers, and what was the outcome? [06:06]
2. How can you intentionally reflect on the profound mystery of the incarnation during this Christmas season? What specific actions can you take to deepen your understanding? [12:08]
3. In what ways can you keep the connection between Christmas and Easter alive in your daily life, especially during the holiday season? [18:07]
4. Identify one way you can actively seek and embrace the treasure of Christ in your life. How can you make this a regular practice? [21:13]
5. Consider the abundance of God's grace in your life. How can you share this grace with others, especially those who may not yet know Christ? [31:27]
6. What specific steps can you take to ensure that you don't overlook the divine treasure of Jesus in your daily routine? [21:13]
7. How can you use your personal story of experiencing God's grace to encourage someone else in their faith journey? [30:44]
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of Seeking Truth
Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to Christianity is a testament to the transformative power of seeking truth with an open heart. As a journalist, Strobel approached the claims of Christianity with skepticism, determined to disprove them. However, his rigorous investigation led him to undeniable evidence of Christ's resurrection, which ultimately brought him to faith. This narrative encourages us to confront our doubts and questions, trusting that God will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him. In a world filled with skepticism, Strobel's story serves as a powerful reminder that truth and grace have the power to transform lives. [04:44]
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Reflection: What doubts or questions about your faith have you been hesitant to explore? How can you begin to seek answers with an open heart today?
Day 2: The Mystery of God Becoming Flesh
John 1:14 reveals the profound mystery of the incarnation, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This verse challenges us to grasp the depth of God's love and the significance of His presence in our lives. The concept of God becoming human was revolutionary and controversial to the Jews of the first century, yet it is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It reminds us that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives, guiding us through our journey. The incarnation is not just a historical event but a living reality that continues to impact us today. [12:08]
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: How does the reality of God becoming flesh change your understanding of His presence in your daily life? What steps can you take to become more aware of His guidance?
Day 3: The Interconnectedness of Christmas and Easter
The Christian narrative intricately links Christmas and Easter, emphasizing that the birth of Christ is a precursor to His resurrection. Without Easter, the significance of Christmas would be lost, as the miracle of Christ's birth finds its fulfillment in the miracle of His resurrection. This connection highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan, from the manger to the cross. As we celebrate these events, we are reminded of the profound love and grace that God extends to humanity through Jesus Christ. [18:07]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How can you celebrate both Christmas and Easter in a way that acknowledges their interconnectedness? What traditions or practices can you incorporate to honor this connection?
Day 4: Embracing the Divine Treasure of Jesus
In a world that often overlooks the divine treasure of Jesus, we are called to seek and embrace His glory and grace. Recognizing the treasure that is Christ requires intentional reflection and a willingness to see Him for who He truly is. As we reflect on the glory of Christ revealed through His life, death, and resurrection, we are encouraged to seek His grace, which is abundant and never-ending. This grace sustains us through life's challenges and reminds us of God's unending love and provision. [21:13]
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
Reflection: In what ways have you overlooked the treasure of Jesus in your life? How can you intentionally seek and embrace His grace and glory today?
Day 5: The Limitless Abundance of God's Grace
God's grace is limitless and ever-present, woven into the fabric of our faith from creation to the resurrection. This grace sustains us through life's challenges and reminds us of God's unending love and provision. As we navigate our journey, we are encouraged to recognize and embrace the abundance of God's grace, which is evident in every aspect of our lives. This grace is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to be intimately involved in our lives, guiding us and providing for us in every season. [31:27]
Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."
Reflection: How have you experienced God's grace in your life recently? What specific steps can you take to acknowledge and embrace His grace more fully in your daily walk?
Quotes
"Lee had been an atheist for quite some time, dating as far back as when he was in junior high school. You see, he would ask uncomfortable questions to Christians, and when they would avoid speaking to him or didn't have any good answers, he just assumed that there were no good answers from a Christian perspective." [00:02:22] (17 seconds)
"When you couple that with his desire to live a life that was contrary to the scripture, you can understand how he became cemented in his atheism. His rationale for it, I think, is actually pretty logical. He said this, If there is no God, if there is no heaven, if there is no hell, if there is no judgment, if there is no ultimate accountability, then the most logical way for me to live my life would be as a hedonist who just pursued pleasure." [00:03:24] (28 seconds)
"While he was trying to do this, he was trying to get his marriage back to the way it was, so he started going to church with his wife, and he said this about going to church. While I didn't believe it, I realized that if it were true, it would have big implications for my life. So I decided to use my journalism experience and legal expertise—at the time, I was legal editor of the Chicago Tribune—to investigate whether there was any credibility to Christianity or any other faith system." [00:04:50] (31 seconds)
"This simple yet profound message is all about love. In fact, through the writings of John, which include the gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John, and Revelation, the theme of love comes up more than 45 times. In fact love is a foundational concept in john's theology he beautifully sums up his argument for love in first john 4 7 through 11 beloved let us love one another for love is of god and everyone who loves is born of god and knows god he who does not love does not know god for god is love." [00:09:55] (38 seconds)
"You see, John had already established that Jesus is God. John 1, 1, and the word was with God and the word was God, the word meaning Jesus. So when John writes verse 14, he is saying literally, and God became flesh and dwelt among us. You might think, yes, so what? I've read that a thousand times. To the Jewish people in the first century, this verse was as controversial as it gets." [00:12:37] (29 seconds)
"God came to this earth in the person of Christ, wrapped himself in flesh, lived a perfect life, a sinless life, went to the cross, died for our sins, was buried, rose again three days later. Now he lives in the portable dwelling place of all of his believers and guides us and walks with us on this barren land while we await for our promised land. Someday." [00:15:16] (30 seconds)
"Grace is but glory begun and glory is truth proclaimed. God's truth, the word made flesh, magnifies his glory to the radiance of his grace. He is full of grace and truth. Don't walk by Jesus without marveling at his glory this season. Look at him. Walk with him. Study his words. Meditate on his life. See for yourself what you think about his truth. Lee Strobel did." [00:22:12] (36 seconds)
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