Jesus (2nd Advent) - Pastor Johnny Dyck

Christmas brings us back to the name given before Bethlehem’s manger ever saw a cry—Jesus. Matthew 1:21 anchors our focus: “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” In Scripture, names aren’t labels; they carry identity and purpose. Just as Samuel meant “God has heard,” and Elijah meant “Yahweh is my God,” the name Jesus—Hebrew Joshua—means “Savior,” and announces his mission from the start. That shared name invites us to see Jesus as the “better Joshua”: Joshua led Israel into a land and a season of rest; Jesus leads his people into eternal rest. Joshua fought physical enemies; Jesus conquered sin and death at the cross and empty tomb.

Hebrews tells us Joshua’s rest was incomplete, pointing beyond itself. Christ offers the full Sabbath-rest of God—rest not only from wandering but from the tyranny of guilt, shame, and fear. Through his blood we have redemption and forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7). And he doesn’t just save us from something; he saves us for something: a transformed, abundant life in him (John 10:9–10), with an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade (1 Peter 1:3–4). Joshua’s victories held for a generation; Jesus’ victory is for all who believe, and it outlasts death itself (1 Corinthians 15:54–57).

So how do we respond to the better Joshua? First, with surrender. Joshua called Israel to choose whom they would serve; Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and follow him. Surrender is not perfection, but a posture that lets him lead. Second, with confidence. If God could topple walls under Joshua’s leadership, how much more can we trust the One who conquered the grave to shepherd us through storms and sin’s struggle? Finally, with hope. He will not abandon the work he began in us, and even in the hard places he forms our dependence and deepens our joy. This Christmas we call the baby by the name that tells the whole story: Jesus—Savior—the better Joshua who brings us into the true promise: forgiveness, transformation, and an unfading inheritance.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus’ name reveals his mission His name isn’t decorative; it’s declarative. “Jesus” (Joshua) means “Savior,” signaling from birth that his purpose is to rescue, not merely inspire. Christmas honors a birth, but worships a Deliverer who came for our deepest need—freedom from sin’s guilt and power. The manger already points to the cross and the empty tomb. [06:49]
• 2. Jesus surpasses Joshua’s partial rest Joshua settled a people in a land; Jesus settles restless hearts in God. Israel’s rest was real yet temporary—punctuated by battles, failures, and exile—designed to awaken longing for a greater Sabbath. In Christ, rest is not the absence of trouble but the presence of a trustworthy Lord who secures our future and steadies our present. He is the end toward which Joshua’s story was always aimed. [10:04]
• 3. Saved from sin, for abundant life Grace doesn’t just cancel the past; it launches a new way of living. Forgiveness removes condemnation, and union with Christ dismantles sin’s power to define us. Abundance is not excess; it’s life reoriented around Jesus—purpose, joy, courage, and obedience flowing from his presence. Salvation is subtraction of guilt and addition of a Spirit-filled life. [15:59]
• 4. Surrender breeds confidence and hope Yielding to Jesus clarifies leadership: we don’t carry the weight of being our own savior. Surrender opens the path where his wisdom guides and his strength sustains, even when the terrain is rough. Confidence grows as we watch him lead us through impossibilities; hope matures as trials become the soil of deeper trust. He finishes what he starts. [22:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Mission beyond the manger
• [02:56] - Jesus and Joshua: same name
• [03:28] - Why names mattered in Scripture
• [05:45] - Joshua’s rest vs Jesus’ salvation
• [10:04] - Hebrews 4: a better rest
• [10:47] - From physical wars to spiritual victory
• [11:55] - Death defeated; victory in Christ
• [13:14] - Jesus greater than Moses and Joshua
• [14:32] - Freed from guilt and power
• [15:30] - Saved for abundant life
• [17:01] - Our eternal inheritance secured
• [19:20] - Responding with surrender and confidence
• [22:01] - Hope in hardship and eternity
• [24:01] - We call him Jesus

1. What exactly does Matthew 1:21 say the name "Jesus" means and why is that meaning part of the verse itself?
2. The sermon notes that "Jesus" is the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua" and both mean "Savior." How does that connection shape the way the birth story points to mission? [02:56]
3. Hebrews 4 is used to argue that Joshua’s rest was incomplete. What example from Israel’s history did the sermon give to show that their rest was partial and repeated failure followed? [10:04]
4. What specific victories did Joshua win (physical) and what specific victory did Jesus win (spiritual) according to the message? [11:18]

1. What does it mean that Matthew 1:21 says Jesus will "save his people from their sins"? Who are "his people" in this context and how does that limit or enlarge the mission described?
2. The claim is that Jesus is a "better Joshua" because Joshua’s rest was temporary while Christ’s rest is final. How does the comparison to Joshua help explain the nature of the rest Jesus offers? [10:04]
3. The sermon says Jesus "saves us from something" (guilt and the power of sin) and "saves us for something" (abundant life). How should those two aspects shape the church’s understanding of what salvation changes in a believer’s daily life? [15:30]
4. The message points to an "inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade." How does that promise affect the way believers evaluate earthly success, suffering, and loss? [17:26]

1. Jesus calls people to deny themselves and follow him. In one concrete area of your life (time, money, relationships, habits), what would "taking up the cross daily" look like this week? Be specific. [20:41]
2. The sermon invites surrender so Jesus can lead. Name one current problem or fear you are holding onto. What is one practical step you will take this week to hand that over to Jesus and trust his leadership? [21:11]
3. Hard seasons often deepen dependence and joy. Looking at a difficult situation you are in now, how might God be using it to grow your trust? What small faithful response can you practice this week? [22:30]
4. Salvation includes forgiveness of guilt and a new, Spirit-filled life. Identify one habit or spiritual discipline (scripture reading, confession, accountability, worship, service) you will start or strengthen to live more consistently in that "abundant life." [15:30]
5. The grace that brings salvation has "appeared to all" (Titus 2:11). Who in your circle needs to hear that "Jesus means Savior" this season? Name one specific person and one step you will take to share with them. [18:50]
6. The promise of an unfading inheritance reorients priorities. What is one daily practice (phone limits, generosity, Sabbath rest, prayer habit) you will adopt to store up treasure and live as someone shaped by eternity? [17:26]