Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us
Summary
In the spirit of the Christmas season, we gather to celebrate not just the festivities but the profound event that changed history: the coming of Jesus. This time of year is filled with joy, lights, and traditions, but it is also a reminder of the most significant event in history—Jesus' birth. This event is not just a historical fact but a pivotal moment that divides time and transforms lives. Jesus came to earth, and this is the cornerstone of our faith. As we prepare for Christmas Eve, we will delve into the biblical account of Jesus' birth, focusing on the Gospel of John, which offers a unique perspective on why Jesus came.
John introduces Jesus as the "Logos," the Word of God, emphasizing that Jesus is not only the Son of God but God Himself. Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, showing us God's unfailing love and faithfulness in a form we can understand. He is the eternal creator, the author of life, and through Him, we see the true nature of God. Jesus also came to restore God's kingdom, a central theme in His teachings. The kingdom of God is where God's people live under His rule, experiencing His blessings and presence. Jesus initiated the restoration of this kingdom, which will be fully realized when He returns.
Moreover, Jesus came to restore us. Like a master craftsman restoring a dilapidated house, Jesus redeems and recreates us, transforming us into new creations. This restoration begins with redemption, where Jesus paid the price for our sins, and continues as He recreates us, making us new in Him. This process is ongoing, as God works in us to make us more like Jesus.
Jesus also came to reunite us with the Father, bridging the gap caused by sin. He is our connection to God, the tabernacle where God and man meet. Finally, Jesus came to repurpose us, giving us a new way to fulfill our original purpose of reflecting God's image and making disciples. As we celebrate Jesus' coming, let's remember that He came with a purpose, and He gives us one too.
Key Takeaways:
1. Revealing the Father: Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, showing us God's love and faithfulness in a way we can understand. He is the eternal creator, and through Him, we see the true nature of God. By looking at Jesus, we can understand God's love, justice, mercy, and grace. [09:03]
2. Restoring God's Kingdom: Jesus' primary message was about the kingdom of God, a place where God's people live under His rule and experience His blessings. He began the restoration of this kingdom, which will be fully realized when He returns. This kingdom is already here but not yet fully realized. [12:23]
3. Restoring Us: Jesus came to restore us to our original design, redeeming us from sin and recreating us as new creations. This process of restoration is ongoing, as God works in us to make us more like Jesus. Our transformation is both a present reality and a future hope. [17:39]
4. Reuniting with the Father: Jesus is our connection to God, the tabernacle where God and man meet. He came to reunite us with the Father, offering us full communion with God. This oneness with God is both modeled and made possible by Jesus. [25:20]
5. Repurposing Us: Jesus gives us a new way to fulfill our original purpose of reflecting God's image and making disciples. Our mission is to be fruitful and multiply by creating followers of Jesus, helping others find their true identity in Him. [29:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:27] - Celebrating the Most Important Event
- [04:16] - The Unique Purpose of Jesus' Coming
- [07:00] - John's Account of Jesus' Coming
- [09:03] - Revealing the Father
- [10:53] - Restoring God's Kingdom
- [12:23] - The Kingdom of God Explained
- [15:40] - The Already and Not Yet Kingdom
- [17:39] - Restoring Us
- [19:47] - Redemption and Recreation
- [22:01] - Reuniting with the Father
- [25:20] - Jesus as the Tabernacle
- [26:47] - Repurposing Us
- [29:46] - Our Mission to Make Disciples
- [31:03] - Jesus' Purpose and Our Purpose
- [32:06] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 1:1-18
- Revelation 21:3
- Matthew 28:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:1-18, how is Jesus described in relation to God and creation? What does this tell us about His nature? [07:00]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that Jesus came to reveal the Father. How does John 1:18 support this idea? [09:03]
3. The sermon discusses the concept of the "already and not yet" kingdom. How is this idea illustrated in the Bible passages mentioned? [15:40]
4. What does the sermon say about the role of Jesus in restoring us to our original design? How is this reflected in the Bible passages? [17:39]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "Logos" or "Word" deepen our comprehension of His mission on earth? [07:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' role in restoring God's kingdom. What implications does this have for believers living in the "already and not yet" kingdom? [15:40]
3. In what ways does the concept of Jesus as the tabernacle (John 1:14) enhance our understanding of His purpose in reuniting us with the Father? [25:20]
4. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 relate to the idea of Jesus repurposing us to fulfill our original purpose? [29:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that Jesus came to reveal the Father. How can you seek to know God more deeply through Jesus in your daily life? [09:03]
2. Considering the "already and not yet" nature of God's kingdom, what practical steps can you take to live under God's rule and experience His blessings now? [15:40]
3. The sermon mentions Jesus' role in restoring us. What areas of your life do you feel need restoration, and how can you invite Jesus into that process? [17:39]
4. How can you actively participate in the mission of making disciples as described in Matthew 28:19-20? Identify one person you can reach out to this week. [29:46]
5. Jesus came to reunite us with the Father. What practices can you incorporate into your life to strengthen your connection with God? [25:20]
6. Reflect on the idea of being repurposed by Jesus. How can you align your daily actions with the purpose of reflecting God's image and making disciples? [26:47]
7. As we celebrate the Christmas season, how can you keep the focus on the profound purpose of Jesus' coming rather than just the festivities? [31:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding God's Nature Through Jesus
Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, showing us God's love and faithfulness in a way we can understand. He is the eternal creator, and through Him, we see the true nature of God. By looking at Jesus, we can understand God's love, justice, mercy, and grace. Jesus is described as the "Logos," the Word of God, emphasizing that He is not only the Son of God but God Himself. This revelation is crucial because it allows us to comprehend the divine attributes of God in a tangible form. Jesus' life and teachings provide a clear picture of God's character, inviting us to experience His love and faithfulness firsthand. [09:03]
John 1:14 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider how Jesus' life and actions reveal God's character. How can you reflect God's love and faithfulness in your interactions today?
Day 2: Living in God's Kingdom
Jesus' primary message was about the kingdom of God, a place where God's people live under His rule and experience His blessings. He began the restoration of this kingdom, which will be fully realized when He returns. This kingdom is already here but not yet fully realized. Jesus' teachings often focused on the principles of this kingdom, encouraging His followers to live in a way that reflects God's rule and blessings. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a present reality that we are invited to participate in. As we align our lives with God's kingdom values, we experience His presence and blessings in our daily lives. [12:23]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the values of God's kingdom in your daily life? How can you be a reflection of His rule and blessings to those around you?
Day 3: Embracing Personal Restoration
Jesus came to restore us to our original design, redeeming us from sin and recreating us as new creations. This process of restoration is ongoing, as God works in us to make us more like Jesus. Our transformation is both a present reality and a future hope. Like a master craftsman restoring a dilapidated house, Jesus redeems and recreates us, transforming us into new creations. This restoration begins with redemption, where Jesus paid the price for our sins, and continues as He recreates us, making us new in Him. As we embrace this process, we become more aligned with God's purpose for our lives. [17:39]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What areas of your life do you feel need restoration? How can you invite Jesus to work in those areas today?
Day 4: Reuniting with the Father
Jesus is our connection to God, the tabernacle where God and man meet. He came to reunite us with the Father, offering us full communion with God. This oneness with God is both modeled and made possible by Jesus. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap caused by sin, allowing us to have a personal relationship with the Father. This reunion is not just a theological concept but a lived experience that transforms our relationship with God. As we draw near to Jesus, we find ourselves drawn closer to the Father, experiencing His love and presence in profound ways. [25:20]
Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with the Father today? What steps can you take to experience His presence more fully?
Day 5: Fulfilling Our Purpose
Jesus gives us a new way to fulfill our original purpose of reflecting God's image and making disciples. Our mission is to be fruitful and multiply by creating followers of Jesus, helping others find their true identity in Him. As we celebrate Jesus' coming, let's remember that He came with a purpose, and He gives us one too. This purpose is not just about personal transformation but about impacting the world around us. By living out our faith and sharing the message of Jesus, we participate in God's mission to restore and redeem all of creation. [29:46]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who in your life can you share the message of Jesus with today? How can you help them discover their true identity in Him?
Quotes
"In the beginning, we were with God. So God's space and man's space were the same space. There it is, one space. That is it, paradisio, right? That is paradise. That is the garden. That is God's kingdom, God's people. God's rule, God's blessing, and God's place, and God's presence. And God gave man a choice that he could choose from the tree of life, which would mean he would stay there in that space, and that God would fully provide for everything. And he would trust God for everything, for his power, for his provision, for his protection, for his peace. And he would trust God's way, God's version of good and evil." [00:13:04] (38 seconds)
"So Jesus, according to John, is the eternal, always present creator of everything and the author of life. Who thinks that sounds like he's describing God? And clearly he's describing God. So John is telling us and also showing us that Jesus is God. But God is so big and so other. He's so unique. There's nothing else like God. There's nothing to compare him to. People are constantly saying, well, you know, God's kind of like, he's not. He's not like anything. So it's really hard for us to like see God or even conceive of God or wrap our heads around this eternal, life-giving, three-person-in-one creator, God." [00:09:28] (48 seconds)
"Jesus came to begin that work in you. He came to restore us and to redeem us and to recreate us and to reunite us with the Father. In our original design, in the original plan, God's kingdom was a place where humans were fully like in communion with God, talking to him and walking with him and partnering with him. It was a full, not as a connection, like it was full communion." [00:22:01] (25 seconds)
"Jesus came to restore us and to redeem us and to recreate us and to reunite us with the Father. In our original design, in the original plan, God's kingdom was a place where humans were fully like in communion with God, talking to him and walking with him and partnering with him. It was a full, not as a connection, like it was full communion. And while Jesus was walking around, as this perfect first human, he modeled that communion. In fact, he said in John 10:30, the Father and I are one. And that's how connected we are. That's how together we are. That's the communion that we share. And Jesus didn't just come to model that connection for us. He came to be that connection for us." [00:22:01]
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