Knowing Christ: The Foundation of Our Faith

 

Summary

In reflecting on the journey of faith, it is essential to recognize that the core of Christianity is not merely the teachings of Jesus but the person of Jesus Christ himself. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes that his confidence and joy, even in imprisonment, stem from knowing Christ personally. This relationship with Christ is the foundation of our faith, not just adherence to his teachings. Christianity is about knowing and trusting in Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, and who has appeared to us to fulfill God's eternal plan of salvation.

The Old Testament is a testament to the anticipation of Christ's coming, with prophecies and promises pointing towards the arrival of a Savior. This Savior, Jesus Christ, is not just a historical figure but the manifestation of God's eternal purpose. His birth, life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of God's promise to redeem humanity. Jesus' life exemplifies perfect humanity, living in communion with God, yet his mission was not just to be an example but to conquer sin, death, and the devil.

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, proving his divinity and the truth of his promises. It assures us that death is not the end, but a passage to eternal life. Jesus has disarmed death, offering us life and immortality. This victory over death is the hope and assurance for every believer, enabling us to live triumphantly, free from the fear of death.

Key Takeaways:

- Christianity is centered on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not merely following his teachings. Knowing Christ personally transforms our lives and gives us confidence in our faith. [24:25]

- The Old Testament prophecies and promises point to the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills God's eternal plan of salvation. This continuity between the Old and New Testaments reveals God's unchanging purpose and love for humanity. [30:25]

- Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. This mystery of the incarnation is central to our faith, affirming that Jesus is the Savior who can truly redeem us. [35:10]

- The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of his divinity and the assurance of our hope in eternal life. It demonstrates that death has been conquered, offering us life and immortality through Christ. [44:01]

- Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the devil empowers us to live without fear, knowing that our ultimate enemy has been defeated. This triumph enables us to face life and death with confidence and hope. [52:32]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[23:04] - Accountability Before God
[23:53] - The Person of Jesus
[24:25] - Knowing Christ Personally
[25:32] - Foundation of Christian Faith
[26:27] - Jesus: More Than a Man
[28:19] - God's Eternal Plan
[29:36] - Old Testament Prophecies
[30:25] - Promise of a Savior
[33:07] - Fulfillment in Christ
[34:02] - The Incarnation
[35:10] - The Virgin Birth
[38:09] - Jesus' Authority and Miracles
[43:19] - The Resurrection
[46:21] - Purpose of Jesus' Coming
[52:32] - Victory Over Death

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 3:10-11 - "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."
2. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 - "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."
3. John 1:14 - "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."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the primary focus of Christianity, and how does this differ from merely following Jesus' teachings? [24:05]
2. How does the Apostle Paul describe his relationship with Jesus, and what impact does this have on his life, even in imprisonment? [24:25]
3. What role do Old Testament prophecies play in the anticipation of Jesus Christ, according to the sermon? [30:25]
4. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as proof of his divinity and the assurance of eternal life? [44:01]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the significance of knowing Jesus personally rather than just adhering to his teachings? What does this personal relationship entail? [24:25]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Old Testament prophecies and promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ? How does this continuity affect our understanding of God's plan? [30:25]
3. What does the sermon say about the mystery of the incarnation, and why is it central to the Christian faith? [35:10]
4. How does the sermon describe Jesus' victory over death, and what implications does this have for believers today? [52:32]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. How can you deepen this relationship beyond just following his teachings? [24:25]
2. The sermon emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus. How does this understanding impact your view of the Bible as a unified story? [30:25]
3. Consider the mystery of the incarnation. How does acknowledging Jesus as both fully God and fully man influence your faith and daily life? [35:10]
4. The resurrection is described as the cornerstone of our faith. How does this truth affect your perspective on life and death? [44:01]
5. Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the devil empowers us to live without fear. What fears are you currently facing, and how can this victory give you confidence and hope? [52:32]
6. How can you live out the assurance of eternal life in your daily interactions and decisions? [44:01]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust in Jesus' victory over sin and death. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to him? [52:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Knowing Christ Personally Transforms Our Lives
Christianity is not just about following the teachings of Jesus but about cultivating a personal relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this in his letters, where he expresses that his confidence and joy, even in the face of imprisonment, come from knowing Christ personally. This relationship is the foundation of our faith, transforming our lives and giving us confidence. It is through this personal connection with Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man, that we find true fulfillment and purpose. [24:25]

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 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." (Ephesians 3:14-19, ESV)

Reflection: Think about your current relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take today to deepen this personal connection and allow it to transform your daily life?


Day 2: The Continuity of God's Plan Through Scripture
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies and promises that point to the coming of Jesus Christ, who fulfills God's eternal plan of salvation. This continuity between the Old and New Testaments reveals God's unchanging purpose and love for humanity. The anticipation of Christ's coming is woven throughout the scriptures, demonstrating that Jesus is not just a historical figure but the manifestation of God's eternal purpose. Understanding this continuity helps us appreciate the depth and richness of God's plan for redemption. [30:25]

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a specific Old Testament prophecy about Jesus. How does seeing its fulfillment in the New Testament deepen your understanding of God's unchanging purpose and love for you?


Day 3: The Mystery of the Incarnation
Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. This mystery of the incarnation is central to our faith, affirming that Jesus is the Savior who can truly redeem us. The incarnation demonstrates God's willingness to enter into human history and experience life as we do, yet without sin. This profound truth assures us that Jesus understands our struggles and is uniquely qualified to be our mediator and redeemer. [35:10]

"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." (Hebrews 2:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the significance of Jesus being both fully God and fully man. How does this truth impact your view of His ability to relate to your personal struggles and challenges?


Day 4: The Assurance of Eternal Life Through the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of His divinity and the assurance of our hope in eternal life. It demonstrates that death has been conquered, offering us life and immortality through Christ. This victory over death is the cornerstone of our faith, providing us with the confidence to live triumphantly, free from the fear of death. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God. [44:01]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection and the promise of eternal life influence the way you approach your daily life and decisions today?


Day 5: Living in Victory Over Sin and Death
Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the devil empowers us to live without fear, knowing that our ultimate enemy has been defeated. This triumph enables us to face life and death with confidence and hope. As believers, we are called to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has secured for us, embracing the abundant life He offers. This victory is not just a future promise but a present reality that transforms how we live each day. [52:32]

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel defeated or fearful. How can you apply the truth of Jesus' victory over sin and death to live in freedom and confidence today?

Quotes


I know him whom I have believed and I'm absolutely certain that he I know can keep that which I have committed unto him against that day my dear dear friends what I want to do therefore tonight is to again hold him before you and what am I to hold before you what the Apostle reminds Timothy of. [00:25:32]

Our whole position is based upon this person who is a man called Jesus but now here's the vital question is he only a man is he only the greatest religious teacher that the world has ever known and the greatest moral Exemplar is that all well listen to what the Apostle tells us about him. [00:27:19]

God had conceived a great purpose and plan of saving this world you see this is the thing the world doesn't know about we're hanging on the lips of Statesmen and politicians wondering what great philosophers are going to say trying a civilization has always done as I've reminded you to get things a little bit better but my dear friend what you need to know is this that God has a plan. [00:29:36]

The whole of the Old Testament is looking forward to the Fulfillment of This Promise That's The Marvelous thing about the Old Testament once you begin to look at it with a new testament eye you'll see this unfolding purpose going on and on and on God repeats the promise God then takes a man of the name of Abraham out of paganism and turns him into one of his own men. [00:30:25]

The baby in Bethlehem is the word made flesh he is the Eternal Son of God appearing he's entered into time he's come into the world he's Tak taken on him human nature he's become incarnate he's added manhood to the godhead here is the whole mystery the appearing so you see you know nothing about the Christian comfort and consolation until you believe in the virgin birth. [00:35:10]

He has the faith of the early church here's the faith of the church throughout the running centuries modern men can't believe that will let Modern Men go to hell then that's all I've got to say to him it takes God as well as men to save men and when you and I know the plague of our own soul and when we realize the spiritual character of the law of God. [00:37:09]

He shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his father David and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there shall be no end Mary says how shall this be seeing I know not a man the angel answered and said the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. [00:37:09]

He is the one on whom everything depends he's been born as a babe there he is in the meure but follow his story listen to his teaching he never went went to the school of the Pharisees he was brought up as a carpenter And yet when he begins to teach what people say about him is this this men speaketh with authority and not as the Pharisees and scribes. [00:38:09]

He worked miracles and people were astonished they said we have seen strange things today what is this they were filled with fear even his own disciples were alarmed Miracles who is this and then observe his perfect sinless life there he is in the wilderness tempted of the devil for 40 days but he doesn't sin and he's able to say at the end of his life who can bring a charge against me. [00:43:19]

He rises triumphant or the grave now my friends the whole of Paul's case depends upon this you read the early chapters of the book of The Acts of the Apostles and you'll find that what they preached was Jesus and the resurrection why the resurrection well you see it is the resurrection that finally proves who he was even the disciples were shaki until the resurrection. [00:44:01]

He has conquered The Last Enemy he's gone through death he's taken the sting out of it he has established that death is not the end he can turn to death and say oh death where is thy sting oh grave where is thy Victory he disan now death even the last enemy has been conquered and on the other hand I say he has brought life and immortality to light. [00:52:32]

He has given us a glimpse of it he's come through death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an absolute proof that death is not the end this is not the only life this is not the only World there is another realm there is another life there is another world it's Incorruptible there is no tarnish there it's pure it's Immortal it's glorious it's absolute. [00:52:32]

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Transcript
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