Jesus: Our Gift, Intercessor, and Assurance of Triumph

Devotional

Day 1: Believers as a Divine Gift

As believers, we are considered a precious gift from God the Father to Jesus Christ. This profound truth highlights our intrinsic value and purpose within God's divine plan. Jesus, in His love and grace, reveals the Father to us, prays for us, and keeps us secure in His love. This relationship is not just a passive acknowledgment but an active engagement where Jesus continually intercedes on our behalf, ensuring that we remain close to God. Understanding this can transform how we view our identity and purpose in life, knowing that we are cherished and valued by the Creator. [04:34]

John 17:6-9 (ESV): "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours."

Reflection: How does knowing you are a gift from the Father to Jesus change your perspective on your daily life and interactions with others?

Day 2: The Inevitable Submission to Christ

Isaiah prophesies about two groups at the end of time: those who willingly come to Jesus and those who resist Him. The former are given to Jesus by the Father, while the latter are conquered by Him. This prophecy underscores the ultimate authority of Jesus, where every knee will bow, either in willing submission or in defeat. This truth challenges us to examine our own hearts and our response to Jesus' call. Are we among those who willingly submit to His lordship, or do we resist His authority in our lives? [09:53]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself resisting Jesus' authority, and how can you begin to submit those areas to Him today?

Day 3: Assurance Through Christ's Sacrifice

Our assurance of sharing in Jesus' triumph and entering heaven is grounded in the will of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the life of Jesus. Jesus willingly laid down His life, demonstrating His desire to save us, and His ongoing intercession ensures our continual nearness to God. This assurance is not based on our own merit but on the completed work of Christ. His death bore our sins, and His resurrection assures us of His victory over sin and death. This truth provides a solid foundation for our faith and hope in eternal life. [13:10]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: How does the assurance of Jesus' sacrifice and intercession impact your confidence in your salvation and your daily walk with God?

Day 4: The Active Intercession of Jesus

Jesus' intercession is not a passive act but an active engagement, releasing the resources of heaven to meet our needs. This ongoing work of Jesus assures us that we have all we need to face life's challenges and that we will be brought safely into His glorious presence. His intercession is a continuous reminder of His love and commitment to us, providing strength and encouragement in times of doubt or difficulty. Knowing that Jesus is actively interceding for us can transform our approach to prayer and reliance on God's provision. [27:34]

Romans 8:34 (ESV): "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus' intercession, and how can you actively seek His help in that area today?

Day 5: The Unfailing Love of God

The love of God is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus. His death on the cross is the ultimate proof of God's love for us, assuring us that no amount of failure can separate us from His love if we continue to trust in Him. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, especially in moments of doubt or discouragement. God's love is not conditional on our performance but is steadfast and unwavering. Embracing this love can transform our relationship with God and how we view ourselves and others. [21:23]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's unfailing love in moments of failure or discouragement, and how can this assurance change the way you approach challenges in your life?

Sermon Summary

In Isaiah 53, we find a profound prophecy about the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, written hundreds of years before His birth. Today, we focus on the final verse, which speaks of His ultimate triumph and glorious return. This verse encapsulates the culmination of all that Jesus has accomplished, promising a great triumph that He will share with His people. God the Father declares that He will give Jesus a portion with the many, signifying that believers are a gift from the Father to the Son. This is a profound truth: as believers, we are the Father's gift to Jesus, and He reveals the Father to us, prays for us, and keeps us secure.

Isaiah also speaks of two groups at the end of time: those who come to Jesus and those who resist Him. The former are given to Jesus by the Father, while the latter are conquered by Him. Every knee will bow to Jesus, either in willing submission or in defeat. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells, awaits those who belong to Him. In this new creation, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death or pain.

The assurance of sharing in Jesus' triumph and entering heaven is grounded in three truths: the will of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the life of Jesus. Jesus willingly laid down His life, demonstrating His desire to save us. His death bore our sins, and His resurrection assures us of His victory. Moreover, Jesus' ongoing intercession for us ensures that we are continually brought near to God. This intercession is not a passive act but an active engagement, releasing the resources of heaven to meet our needs.

In moments of doubt or discouragement, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus intercedes for us. His love and sacrifice are the ultimate proof of God's love for us. No amount of failure can separate us from His love if we continue to trust in Him. As C.S. Lewis beautifully illustrated, even if we arrive in heaven as "muddy and tattered children," the grace of God will welcome us home. Let us hold fast to these truths, knowing that Jesus will bring us safely into His glorious presence.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gift of Believers to Jesus: As believers, we are the Father's gift to Jesus, a portion given to Him as a reward for His suffering. This profound truth highlights our value and purpose in God's plan, as Jesus reveals the Father to us, prays for us, and keeps us secure in His love. [04:34]
2. Two Groups at the End of Time: Isaiah prophesies that at the end of time, there will be those who come to Jesus and those who resist Him. The former are given to Jesus by the Father, while the latter are conquered by Him. Every knee will bow to Jesus, either in willing submission or in defeat. [09:53]
3. Assurance of Heaven: Our assurance of sharing in Jesus' triumph and entering heaven is grounded in the will of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the life of Jesus. Jesus willingly laid down His life, demonstrating His desire to save us, and His ongoing intercession ensures our continual nearness to God. [13:10]
4. The Intercession of Jesus: Jesus' intercession is not a passive act but an active engagement, releasing the resources of heaven to meet our needs. This ongoing work of Jesus assures us that we have all we need to face life's challenges and that we will be brought safely into His glorious presence. [27:34]
5. God's Love Demonstrated: The love of God is demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus. His death on the cross is the ultimate proof of God's love for us, assuring us that no amount of failure can separate us from His love if we continue to trust in Him. [21:23]
** [21:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Introduction to Isaiah 53
[01:09] - The Resurrection and Ascension
[01:47] - The Glorious Return of Jesus
[02:20] - The Ultimate Triumph
[03:10] - God's Gift to His Son
[04:34] - Believers as God's Gift
[07:02] - Who Are the Given?
[09:53] - Two Groups at the End
[12:17] - Assurance of Heaven
[13:10] - The Will of Jesus
[18:15] - The Death of Jesus
[24:43] - The Life of Jesus
[27:34] - Jesus' Intercession
[34:10] - Conclusion and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Isaiah 53:12, what does God the Father promise to give to Jesus as a reward for His suffering? How is this described in the sermon? [03:10]
In John 17:6-12, how does Jesus describe His relationship with those given to Him by the Father? What roles does He fulfill for them? [05:11]
What are the two groups of people mentioned in the sermon that will exist at the end of time, according to Isaiah's prophecy? [09:53]
How does Philippians 2:9-11 describe the ultimate recognition of Jesus' authority? How is this related to the sermon’s message about every knee bowing to Jesus? [10:39]

Interpretation Questions

What does it mean for believers to be considered a "gift" from the Father to the Son? How does this concept affect the believer's understanding of their identity and purpose? [04:34]
How does Jesus' intercession for believers, as described in the sermon, provide assurance and comfort in times of doubt or discouragement? [27:34]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' death and resurrection assure believers of their salvation and future in heaven? [18:15]
How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus willingly laying down His life, and what does this reveal about His character and intentions towards humanity? [13:48]

Application Questions

Reflect on the idea that as a believer, you are a gift from the Father to Jesus. How does this perspective change the way you view your relationship with God and your role in His plan? [04:34]
Consider the two groups at the end of time: those who come to Jesus and those who resist Him. Which group do you identify with, and what steps can you take to ensure you are part of the group that willingly submits to Jesus? [09:53]
In moments of personal failure or discouragement, how can you remind yourself of Jesus' ongoing intercession for you? What practical steps can you take to lean on this truth? [27:34]
The sermon mentions that Jesus' love and sacrifice are the ultimate proof of God's love for us. How can you actively remind yourself of this truth in your daily life, especially when facing challenges? [21:23]
How can the assurance of sharing in Jesus' triumph and entering heaven influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [12:17]
Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can the knowledge of Jesus' intercession bridge that gap and bring you closer to Him? [26:47]
C.S. Lewis described believers arriving in heaven as "muddy and tattered children." How does this imagery encourage you to persevere in your faith journey despite imperfections? [35:38]

Sermon Clips

Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet he bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors. [00:02:32]

I want you to think about this, that as a believer, you are actually the gift of God the Father to his own dearly loved Son. And Jesus spoke about this repeatedly. Four times in his prayer in John and chapter 17, Jesus speaks to the father about the people that the father has given to him. [00:04:31]

So you see here are people who are given by the father to the son and what does the son do for them? Well, he reveals the father to them that is he I have manifested your name, the son reveals the father to those the father has given him, and then Jesus says that he prays for the people that he has been given. [00:05:14]

So do you see very clearly from this verse that those who come to Jesus are the father's gift to the son, and those the father gives to the son, well they come to Jesus, the father draws them, and the son wonderfully receives them, and this vast company of people given by the father to the son. [00:07:37]

There will be the many who have come to Jesus, and there will be the strong who have resisted Jesus. The many who come to Jesus are given to him by the father and he receives them, but the picture is very very different when it comes to the strong who resist him, they are the spoil. [00:09:55]

Some will bow before him because we have come to him, and he has received us, others will bow because they have resisted him, and he has conquered them. So Jesus will enjoy a great Triumph, he will indeed be king of kings and Lord of lords conqueror over all and he will share his Triumph with his redeemed people. [00:11:03]

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can be sure that heaven will be yours because of the will of Jesus, because of the death of Jesus, and because of the life of Jesus, all of these are right here in this last verse of Isaiah in chapter 53. [00:12:58]

Now the main point here is that our Lord Jesus Christ died willingly, death did not overcome the Lord Jesus, he was the one who poured his soul out to death. Now Isaiah has described how Jesus was oppressed how he was pierced how he was crushed and wounded and cut off. [00:13:41]

He was clearly in complete control, and this is how we know that, Matthew tells us that Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit, and Luke in his account records that Jesus calling out with a loud voice said father into your hands I commit my spirit and having said this he breathed his last. [00:15:34]

God shows his love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Greater Love Jesus says has no one than this, but that one lays down his life for his friends. That's the love of God, that's the love of Christ, he laid down his life for you. [00:21:18]

He makes intercession for the transgressors, that's why the many will be his and they'll all be brought safely home. Now this word intercede or intercession, it simply means make to meet, to make to meet, and you might picture it this way, that there is a vast Chasm between God and us sinners. [00:25:04]

Think about it, sin once stood between us and God as a barrier, now Jesus stands between us and God not as a barrier but as a bridge. Peter puts it this way Jesus suffered the righteous for the unrighteous to bring us to God, that's what he does, that's what comes out of all that he suffered. [00:26:11]

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