Jesus: Our Eternal Savior and Redeemer
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a journey to understand the profound significance of Jesus as our eternal Savior, a theme that will guide us as we approach the Christmas season. We began by revisiting the creation narrative in Genesis, where God created humanity in His image, establishing a perfect and undisturbed relationship with Adam and Eve. This relationship was disrupted by sin, symbolized by Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Despite this fracture, God's desire for a personal and intimate relationship with humanity remained steadfast.
The narrative of redemption begins immediately after the fall, with God promising a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15. This promise is woven throughout the Old Testament, with figures like Noah and Abraham serving as shadows of the coming Messiah. The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants further underscore God's eternal plan to bring salvation through Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of these promises. Jesus, the eternal Savior, is central to God's redemptive plan, a plan that was established before the foundations of the world.
As we delve into the prophetic declarations of the Old Testament, such as those found in Isaiah 53 and the Messianic Psalms, we see the foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrificial death and His role as the eternal priest-king. The New Testament confirms these prophecies, presenting Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, central to the Gospel and the history of redemption.
This season, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are invited to re-engage with the enormity of His person and the magnitude of His coming. Jesus is not just a historical figure but the living Savior who desires to walk with us, just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Through faith, we are called to experience the fullness of life in Him, embracing His love, grace, and redemption.
Key Takeaways:
- The creation narrative in Genesis highlights the original, undisturbed relationship between God and humanity, which was disrupted by sin. Despite this, God's desire for intimacy with us remains, as seen in His promise of a Redeemer. [01:10:09]
- The promise of a Savior is introduced immediately after the fall, with Genesis 3:15 foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. This promise is echoed throughout the Old Testament, revealing God's eternal plan for redemption. [01:16:19]
- Figures like Noah and Abraham serve as shadows of the coming Messiah, illustrating God's ongoing commitment to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. [01:18:17]
- Prophetic declarations in Isaiah and the Psalms point to Jesus' sacrificial death and His eternal priesthood, underscoring His central role in God's redemptive plan. [01:22:13]
- As we approach Christmas, we are invited to re-engage with the enormity of Jesus' person and His eternal significance, embracing His love and redemption in our lives. [01:34:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01:03] - Introduction to the Series
[01:03:10] - Creation and the Image of God
[01:08:38] - The Fall and Sin's Entrance
[01:10:09] - Walking with God
[01:11:40] - The Disturbance of Sin
[01:13:24] - God's Unfailing Love
[01:14:47] - Humanity's Image and Significance
[01:16:19] - Promise of a Redeemer
[01:18:17] - Shadows of Redemption
[01:20:42] - Prophetic Declarations
[01:22:13] - Jesus in the Old Testament
[01:23:39] - God's Eternal Plan
[01:24:59] - Jesus, the Eternal Sacrifice
[01:27:12] - Centrality of Christ
[01:28:21] - Walking with God Today
[01:30:11] - Re-engaging with Jesus
[01:32:04] - The Enormity of Christ's Impact
[01:34:25] - Invitation to Reflect
[01:35:49] - Overcoming Struggles with Faith
[01:37:10] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
[01:39:40] - Closing Remarks and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27-28, 31
2. Genesis 3:6-8, 15
3. Isaiah 53
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 1:27-28, what specific instructions did God give to humanity after creating them in His image? How does this reflect the initial relationship between God and humanity? [01:03:10]
2. According to Genesis 3:6-8, what was the immediate consequence of Adam and Eve's disobedience, and how did it affect their relationship with God? [01:08:38]
3. How does Genesis 3:15 introduce the concept of a Redeemer, and what significance does this have in the context of the sermon? [01:16:19]
4. What prophetic elements in Isaiah 53 point to Jesus' role as the eternal Savior, and how are these elements confirmed in the New Testament? [01:22:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the creation narrative in Genesis highlight the original intention of God for humanity, and what does this tell us about His desire for a relationship with us? [01:10:09]
2. In what ways do the figures of Noah and Abraham serve as "shadows of redemption," and how do they illustrate God's ongoing commitment to humanity? [01:18:17]
3. How do the prophetic declarations in Isaiah and the Psalms underscore Jesus' central role in God's redemptive plan, and what does this reveal about the continuity of God's promises? [01:22:13]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus being described as the Alpha and Omega, and how does this relate to His eternal nature? [01:27:12]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the original relationship between God and humanity as described in Genesis. How can you cultivate a closer walk with God in your daily life, similar to the undisturbed relationship in the garden? [01:10:09]
2. Considering the promise of a Redeemer in Genesis 3:15, how does this assurance of redemption impact your understanding of God's love and commitment to you personally? [01:16:19]
3. The sermon invites us to re-engage with the enormity of Jesus' person and His eternal significance. What practical steps can you take this Christmas season to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [01:34:25]
4. How can the examples of Noah and Abraham inspire you to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem challenging or uncertain? [01:18:17]
5. In light of the prophetic declarations about Jesus' sacrificial death, how can you live out the reality of His redemption in your interactions with others? [01:22:13]
6. The sermon emphasizes the centrality of Christ in God's plan of redemption. How can you make Jesus the central focus of your life, and what changes might this require? [01:27:12]
7. Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the eternal Savior. How does this understanding influence your perspective on current struggles or challenges you face? [01:35:49]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unyielding Desire for Relationship
In the beginning, God created humanity in His image, establishing a perfect and undisturbed relationship with Adam and Eve. This relationship was disrupted by sin, symbolized by their disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Despite this fracture, God's desire for a personal and intimate relationship with humanity remained steadfast. The promise of a Redeemer, introduced immediately after the fall in Genesis 3:15, highlights God's unwavering commitment to restore this relationship. This promise is woven throughout the Old Testament, revealing God's eternal plan for redemption. [01:10:09]
Genesis 3:8-9 (ESV): "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'"
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to draw closer to Him and restore that sense of intimacy?
Day 2: The Promise of Redemption
Immediately after the fall, God introduced the promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus. This promise is echoed throughout the Old Testament, revealing God's eternal plan for redemption. Figures like Noah and Abraham serve as shadows of the coming Messiah, illustrating God's ongoing commitment to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants further underscore God's eternal plan to bring salvation through Jesus, who is the fulfillment of these promises. [01:16:19]
Isaiah 11:1-2 (ESV): "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto. How does the fulfillment of God's promises in the past encourage you to trust Him with your future?
Day 3: Shadows of the Messiah
Throughout the Old Testament, figures like Noah and Abraham serve as shadows of the coming Messiah, illustrating God's ongoing commitment to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. The Abrahamic and Davidic covenants further underscore God's eternal plan to bring salvation through Jesus, who is the fulfillment of these promises. As we delve into the prophetic declarations of the Old Testament, such as those found in Isaiah 53 and the Messianic Psalms, we see the foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrificial death and His role as the eternal priest-king. [01:18:17]
Psalm 110:4 (ESV): "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'"
Reflection: Think about a person in your life who has been a shadow of Christ's love and grace. How can you express gratitude to them this week?
Day 4: The Centrality of Christ
The New Testament confirms the prophecies of the Old Testament, presenting Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, central to the Gospel and the history of redemption. Jesus, the eternal Savior, is central to God's redemptive plan, a plan that was established before the foundations of the world. As we approach Christmas, we are invited to re-engage with the enormity of His person and the magnitude of His coming. [01:22:13]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what ways can you make Christ the center of your daily life, especially during this Christmas season?
Day 5: Embracing the Fullness of Life in Christ
This season, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we are invited to re-engage with the enormity of His person and the magnitude of His coming. Jesus is not just a historical figure but the living Savior who desires to walk with us, just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Through faith, we are called to experience the fullness of life in Him, embracing His love, grace, and redemption. [01:34:25]
John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. What practical steps can you take to invite His presence and transformation into that area today?
Quotes
"The eating of the fruit through disobedience fractures their relationship with God, results in them hiding themselves, from God's presence and making the first moment of separation between the humanity and the divine." [01:11:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But you know, the idea of God walking with Adam and Eve is also symbolic and symbolizes in what we would say Christian theology, it symbolizes and represents God's desire to have personal, and intimate relationship with humanity, with you and I." [01:12:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Right there we have the promise of a redeemer. The concept of a coming Messiah or a Saviour is introduced right there in Genesis chapter 3." [01:16:19] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"In Isaiah chapter 53, there's a powerful prophecy about a servant who would suffer on behalf of others, taking on their sin, and bringing them to the cross. And bringing healing." [01:21:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus is part of the eternal plan of God. The concept that Jesus is part of the eternal plan, can also be picked up when we jump into the New Testament now, in relation to God's sovereignty and His purpose." [01:22:51] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus is referenced there, as the lamb slain from the foundations of the world, underscoring the idea that His sacrificial death is part of God's, not just the second or third idea He had, but part of His eternal plan of redemption for humanity, if that's you and I." [01:25:29] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus, our eternal Saviour, God's eternal plan. The Bible presents the entire history of creation and redemption. And in it, it continuously points to a Saviour, Jesus Christ. He's central to the Scriptures." [01:26:41] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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