Jesus Christ: The Heart of Our Faith

The heart of Christian faith is rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is both fully divine and fully human. From the very beginning, Jesus was with God and was God, the Word through whom all things were made. He is not a distant deity, but the one who took on flesh, entering into the brokenness of humanity to seek and save the lost. The incarnation—God becoming man—is a profound mystery and the ultimate expression of God’s love, showing that He did not send a mere messenger, but came Himself to rescue us.

Jesus’ life was marked by humility, service, and miraculous power. He healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed storms, and demonstrated authority over evil. Yet, His greatest act was His willing suffering and death under Pontius Pilate. Though innocent, He endured injustice, pain, and the full weight of sin, dying on the cross and entering the realm of the dead. This was not defeat, but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan foretold centuries earlier. By His wounds, we are healed; by His sacrifice, we are reconciled to God.

But the story does not end with death. Jesus rose from the grave, conquering death and offering eternal life to all who believe. He ascended into heaven, where He reigns at the right hand of the Father, and will one day return to judge the living and the dead. The resurrection is the cornerstone of hope, assuring us that death is not the end and that Jesus holds the keys to life everlasting.

Belief in Jesus is not merely intellectual assent, but a transformative trust that shapes every aspect of life. The question Jesus asked His disciples—“Who do you say I am?”—is the question each of us must answer. The evidence of Scripture, the testimony of history, and the witness of changed lives all point to Jesus as Lord. Yet, faith ultimately becomes a choice—a decision to trust, to surrender, and to follow. In doing so, we are invited into the fullness of God’s love, to know Him more deeply, and to live in the freedom and hope that only Christ can give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Incarnation reveals the depth of God’s love: Jesus, the eternal Son, took on flesh and entered our world not as a distant observer, but as one who fully identifies with our humanity. This act of humility and solidarity means that God is not far off, but intimately acquainted with our struggles, pain, and joys. The incarnation is the foundation of our hope, showing that God’s love is not abstract, but personal and sacrificial. [54:18]
• 2. Jesus’ suffering was both chosen and redemptive: Though He possessed all power and authority, Jesus willingly endured injustice, pain, and death under Pontius Pilate. His suffering was not forced upon Him, but embraced for the sake of redeeming humanity. In Christ, suffering is not meaningless; it becomes the very means by which God brings healing, forgiveness, and restoration to a broken world. [63:30]
• 3. The resurrection is the heart of Christian hope: Jesus’ victory over death is not just a historical event, but the assurance that death does not have the final word. His resurrection opens the way to eternal life for all who believe, transforming our understanding of life, death, and what it means to truly live. This hope empowers us to face life’s uncertainties with courage and confidence in God’s promises. [67:51]
• 4. Faith is a lived response, not just a belief: What we believe about Jesus shapes how we live, love, and relate to others. The truths of the faith are not mere words or traditions, but realities that call for a response—trust, surrender, and obedience. True faith is not passive; it is active, continually shaping our identity and actions as we follow Christ. [43:57]
• 5. The question of Jesus’ identity is personal and urgent: Each person must answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” The evidence is compelling, but faith ultimately involves a personal decision to trust and follow Him. This choice is not just about intellectual agreement, but about placing the full weight of our lives on Christ, finding in Him the fullness of God’s love and the hope of eternal life. [71:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:39] - Introduction to the Apostles’ Creed
• [01:40] - The Creed’s Historical Roots and Purpose
• [03:29] - The Power of Belief and Its Impact
• [05:21] - Reading the Apostles’ Creed Together
• [07:54] - Prayer and God’s Goodness
• [08:53] - Who Jesus Is: The Son of God
• [09:58] - John 1: The Word Became Flesh
• [12:36] - Jesus’ Divinity and Oneness with the Father
• [14:18] - The Profound Mystery of the Incarnation
• [15:21] - What Jesus Did: Life, Death, and Resurrection
• [17:22] - Audience Q&A: “He Descended into Hell”
• [22:29] - Jesus’ Suffering and Chosen Sacrifice
• [26:28] - The Resurrection and Its Significance
• [29:13] - Jesus’ Ascension and Future Return
• [30:30] - The Call to Personal Faith
• [32:48] - The Supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1
• [33:58] - Final Invitation and Blessing

Bible Reading

John 1:1-14 (ESV) — > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 53:3-6 (ESV) — > He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV) — > He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ... 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to John 1, what are some of the ways Jesus is described, and what does this tell us about his identity? ([49:58])
2. In Isaiah 53, what are some of the specific things the Messiah would experience, and why? (see summary and [01:05:28])
3. What does Colossians 1 say about Jesus’ role in creation and his relationship to God the Father? ([01:11:34])
4. The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ suffering was “chosen and redemptive.” What evidence from the passages or the sermon supports this? ([01:03:30])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the incarnation is “the ultimate expression of God’s love.” Why is it significant that God himself came in the flesh, rather than sending a messenger? ([54:18])
2. How does understanding Jesus’ suffering as “willingly embraced” rather than forced upon him change the way we view suffering in our own lives? ([01:03:30])
3. The resurrection is described as the “cornerstone of hope.” What does it mean for our daily lives that Jesus conquered death? ([01:07:51])
4. The question “Who do you say I am?” is called personal and urgent in the sermon. Why is this question so central to Christian faith? ([01:11:34])

Application Questions

1. The incarnation means God is not distant, but has entered into our struggles. Is there a specific area of your life right now where you need to remember that God is with you and understands what you’re going through? How might that change your response this week? ([54:18])
2. Jesus’ suffering was chosen for our sake. When you face pain or injustice, do you tend to see it as meaningless, or can you see ways God might use it for good? Share a time when God brought something redemptive out of a hard situation in your life. ([01:03:30])
3. The resurrection gives us hope that death is not the end. How does this hope affect the way you approach fears about the future, loss, or uncertainty? ([01:07:51])
4. The sermon says faith is not just intellectual, but a “transformative trust.” In what area of your life do you find it hardest to trust Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area to him this week? ([43:57])
5. Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” requires a personal answer. If someone asked you that question today, how would you respond? Has your answer changed over time? ([01:11:34])
6. The truths about Jesus are meant to shape how we live and love others. Is there a relationship or situation where you need to let your faith in Jesus change your actions or attitude? What’s one step you can take? ([43:57])
7. The sermon invites us to “live in the freedom and hope that only Christ can give.” What is one practical way you can live out that freedom and hope this week—in your family, work, or community? ([01:07:51])