Jesus: Supreme Creator, Revealer, Sustainer, and Redeemer
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that Jesus Christ is superior to all things. This truth is rooted in several key aspects of His divine nature and work. Firstly, Jesus is the Creator. As the Word of God, He was present at the beginning of time, bringing the universe into existence. Everything, from the vastness of space to the intricacies of life, was made by Him and for Him. This establishes His supremacy over all creation, including angels, celestial bodies, and humanity itself.
Secondly, Jesus is the Revealer of God. He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person. Through Jesus, we gain a clear understanding of God's nature, character, and love. Just as sunglasses allow us to gaze at the sun without harm, Jesus acts as a filter through which we can perceive the glory of God. His life and ministry provide a tangible expression of God's holiness, compassion, and justice.
Thirdly, Jesus is the Sustainer. He upholds the universe by the power of His word. The delicate balance of our world, from the forces that bind atoms to the precise orbit of the earth, is maintained by His continual action. This sustaining power underscores His unmatched authority and capability.
Fourthly, Jesus is the Redeemer. Unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus offered Himself once for all. His sacrificial death on the cross purged our sins, and His resurrection signifies the completion of this redemptive work. He now sits at the right hand of God, having accomplished what no other could.
Finally, the call to action is clear: Jesus is better than anything this world offers. Whether it's material possessions, achievements, or other religious systems, nothing compares to the salvation and relationship we have in Him. As we begin a new year, let us live with the conviction that Jesus is better, allowing this truth to shape our priorities and pursuits.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus as Creator: Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is the Creator of all things, both visible and invisible. His creative power establishes His supremacy over all creation, including angels and humanity. This truth invites us to recognize His authority and worship Him as the source of all life. [03:14]
2. Jesus as Revealer: Jesus is the express image of God, revealing His nature and character to us. Through Jesus, we see God's holiness, love, and compassion in a way that is comprehensible to us. This understanding encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God through Christ. [05:33]
3. Jesus as Sustainer: Jesus upholds the universe by the power of His word, maintaining the delicate balance necessary for life. His sustaining power demonstrates His unmatched authority and capability, reminding us of His constant presence and care in our lives. [09:55]
4. Jesus as Redeemer: Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross purged our sins, offering redemption once and for all. Unlike other religious systems that require continuous acts for forgiveness, Jesus' work is complete. This truth calls us to rest in His finished work and live in the freedom it provides. [13:09]
5. Jesus is Better: Jesus is superior to anything this world offers, from material possessions to other religious systems. As we begin a new year, we are challenged to live with the conviction that Jesus is better, allowing this truth to shape our priorities and pursuits. [15:40]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:14] - Jesus as Creator
- [05:33] - Jesus as Revealer
- [07:18] - Understanding God's Nature
- [09:55] - Jesus as Sustainer
- [11:44] - The Power of His Word
- [13:09] - Jesus as Redeemer
- [14:07] - The Finished Work of Christ
- [15:40] - Jesus is Better
- [17:46] - Living with Conviction
- [18:41] - Call to Salvation
- [19:38] - Invitation to Reflect
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
2. John 1:1-3 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."
3. Colossians 1:16-17 - "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-3, what role does Jesus play in creation? How does this establish His supremacy over all things? [03:14]
2. In Colossians 1:16-17, what are the different realms and powers mentioned that Jesus created? How does this emphasize His authority? [03:14]
3. How does the sermon describe Jesus as a "filter" for understanding God's nature? What analogy is used to explain this concept? [05:33]
4. What does the sermon say about Jesus' role as the Sustainer of the universe? How is His sustaining power described? [09:55]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus as the Creator influence a believer's view of the world and their place in it? [03:14]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the "express image" of God, and how does this impact our understanding of God's character? [05:33]
3. In what ways does Jesus' sustaining power provide comfort and assurance to believers in their daily lives? [09:55]
4. How does the concept of Jesus as the Redeemer challenge or affirm one's understanding of salvation compared to other religious systems? [13:09]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that Jesus is the Creator of all things. How does this truth affect your daily worship and acknowledgment of His authority in your life? [03:14]
2. Jesus is described as the Revealer of God's nature. How can you seek a deeper relationship with God through understanding Jesus' life and teachings? [05:33]
3. Consider the ways Jesus sustains the universe. How can this understanding help you trust Him more with the uncertainties and challenges you face? [09:55]
4. Jesus' sacrificial death is described as a complete work of redemption. How can you rest in this truth and live in the freedom it provides, rather than striving for acceptance through works? [13:09]
5. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus is better than anything the world offers. What are some specific areas in your life where you need to prioritize Jesus over worldly pursuits? [15:40]
6. How can you practically live out the conviction that "Jesus is better" in your daily decisions and interactions with others? [15:40]
7. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any changes you can make to ensure that your life reflects the belief that Jesus is superior to all else? [17:46]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Supreme Creator
Jesus Christ, as the Word of God, is the Creator of all things, both visible and invisible. His creative power establishes His supremacy over all creation, including angels and humanity. This truth invites us to recognize His authority and worship Him as the source of all life. The vastness of space and the intricacies of life are all crafted by His hand, and everything exists for Him. This understanding calls us to acknowledge His ultimate authority and to live in awe of His creative power. As we reflect on the universe's complexity and beauty, we are reminded of His unmatched supremacy and our place within His creation. [03:14]
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: Consider the beauty and complexity of creation around you. How does recognizing Jesus as the Creator change the way you view your daily surroundings and interactions with others?
Day 2: Jesus, the Revealer of God
Jesus is the express image of God, revealing His nature and character to us. Through Jesus, we see God's holiness, love, and compassion in a way that is comprehensible to us. Just as sunglasses allow us to gaze at the sun without harm, Jesus acts as a filter through which we can perceive the glory of God. His life and ministry provide a tangible expression of God's holiness, compassion, and justice. This understanding encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God through Christ, as we are invited to know God more intimately through the life and teachings of Jesus. [05:33]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: In what ways can you seek to know God more deeply through the life and teachings of Jesus today? How can this understanding impact your relationship with others?
Day 3: Jesus, the Sustainer of All
Jesus upholds the universe by the power of His word, maintaining the delicate balance necessary for life. His sustaining power demonstrates His unmatched authority and capability, reminding us of His constant presence and care in our lives. From the forces that bind atoms to the precise orbit of the earth, everything is maintained by His continual action. This truth reassures us of His unwavering support and invites us to trust in His provision and guidance in every aspect of our lives. [09:55]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel overwhelmed. How can you trust in Jesus' sustaining power to uphold you in this situation?
Day 4: Jesus, the Redeemer of Humanity
Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross purged our sins, offering redemption once and for all. Unlike other religious systems that require continuous acts for forgiveness, Jesus' work is complete. His resurrection signifies the completion of this redemptive work, and He now sits at the right hand of God, having accomplished what no other could. This truth calls us to rest in His finished work and live in the freedom it provides, knowing that our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God through Christ. [13:09]
Hebrews 9:12 (ESV): "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to rest in the finished work of Christ today? How can you live in the freedom that His redemption provides?
Day 5: Jesus is Better than All
Jesus is superior to anything this world offers, from material possessions to other religious systems. As we begin a new year, we are challenged to live with the conviction that Jesus is better, allowing this truth to shape our priorities and pursuits. Whether it's material possessions, achievements, or other religious systems, nothing compares to the salvation and relationship we have in Him. This understanding encourages us to evaluate our lives and align our priorities with the eternal value found in Christ. [15:40]
Philippians 3:8 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to prioritize something over your relationship with Jesus? How can you realign your priorities to reflect the truth that Jesus is better?
Quotes
"Jesus is the creator. The word world here in verse number two is a word that is different than the one used in John 3 .16 where it says for God, speaking of mankind, the people of this world. It's a word that includes the earth and space and time and matter. See, Jesus not only made the universe, and all the material things that we see. Jesus brought space, time, and matter into existence. Jesus was before history, was at the beginning of history, and Jesus will be at the end of history." [00:01:13] (38 seconds)
"Why is Jesus better? Because he is the creator of all things. Is he better than angels? Yes, he created angels. Is he better than the sun and the moon? Yes, he created the sun and the moon. Is he better than any other man that has ever lived? Yes, he created all mankind. Is he better than any other religion or any other God or any other idol? Yes, he is the creator of all things. Jesus is the creator." [00:02:12] (28 seconds)
"Jesus Christ is the filter. That allows us to see the brightness and the glory of who God is. His flesh veiled or covered his glory, the glory of God from other people. You remember when people Peter, James, and John went with Jesus up into a mountain. And the Bible says that Jesus was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun. And his raiment was white as light." [00:03:23] (28 seconds)
"By looking at Jesus, we see through a filter the glory of God. We also see that he was the express image of God in verse number 3. It's the idea of an impression made by a dye or a stamp or a seal. It's like when you pull out a penny. And you look at the face. You look at the face on the penny. You say, I see Abraham Lincoln. Now, do you really see Abraham Lincoln? In one sense, no. In another sense, yes. You see his image. You see exactly what he looked like." [00:04:17] (29 seconds)
"Jesus is the one who supports or maintains everything. The word upholding is in the present tense, which means that Jesus is in a continual action, upholding or sustaining the universe. At this very moment, Jesus Christ is holding together our very universe. Just a small change in our universe would lead to catastrophic results." [00:08:41] (22 seconds)
"If the nuclear force on earth were slightly weaker, protons and neutrons wouldn't bind together, which would prevent the formation of elements needed for life, such as oxygen and hydrogen and carbon. If the earth's rotation slowed down just a little bit, it would cause extreme temperature differences between night and day, which would make survival difficult for most species." [00:09:00] (22 seconds)
"Jesus Christ is the one sustaining it. Jesus Christ is the one upholding it. He is the one holding all things together, it tells us in Colossians 1. And how is he doing it? It tells us here in verse number 3, by the power of his word. By the very same way he created all things. He spoke and everything was created. It's not too hard for him to just speak and hold everything right where it needs to be." [00:09:55] (27 seconds)
"Jesus Christ alone is the one who has made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins. In the Old Testament, the priest had to make sacrifice after sacrifice for their own sins and for the sins of other people. But Jesus made only one sacrifice. He was the priest who made the sacrifice. And he was the sacrifice himself, the lamb of God that was hung on the cross of Calvary." [00:11:44] (27 seconds)
"Jesus Christ dealt with the problem of sin once and for all. In order to create and sustain the universe, Jesus simply used his word. But to solve the problem of our sin, Jesus Christ took on human flesh. And he came personally to this world to die and pay the price for our sin. As the apostle Paul comments, Rarely for a righteous man will one die, and yet perhaps for a good man, and some would even dare to die." [00:12:22] (27 seconds)
"Jesus is so much better. He is better than any other God. He is better than any other religious system. He is better than anything this world offers us, like money or fame or power. He is better than that promotion at work. He's better than that good grade at school. He is better than that new house or that new car. He's better than anything or anyone." [00:15:17] (26 seconds)
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