Living in Light of Christ's Supremacy

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I explored the profound connection between correct theology and superior living, drawing from the rich theological tapestry of the book of Hebrews. I emphasized that understanding who Christ is and what He has accomplished is the foundation upon which we can build a life that reflects His superiority. The book of Hebrews painstakingly reminds us that Christ is superior in every way, and this truth should lead us to superior living.

I delved into the practical implications of Christian theology as outlined in the final chapters of Hebrews, focusing on the exhortation to "let us" live in a manner befitting our understanding of Christ's supremacy. I highlighted three specific "let us" statements that serve as a guide for how we should live in response to the truth of Christ's superiority.

The first "let us" statement calls us to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that we can enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus. This new and living way was opened for us through the curtain of His body, signifying that we have perpetual access to God's presence because of Christ's sacrifice. Living in close proximity to God allows us to walk in His mercy and favor, experiencing His tangible help in our daily lives.

The second "let us" statement encourages us to hold tightly to the confession of our hope without wavering. Our hope is not based on circumstances but on the unchanging character of God and the finished work of Christ. This confession of hope is a declaration of our faith, a creed that we must tenaciously cling to, come what may.

The third "let us" statement reminds us of the importance of community and the strength we derive from gathering with fellow believers. Whether in corporate worship or prayer, we are not meant to live our faith in isolation. Together, we can draw near to God and access His strength and help.

Throughout the sermon, I also touched on the importance of inviting others to experience the life-changing message of the gospel, particularly as we approached Easter. I shared stories of faith and perseverance, illustrating how our confident trust in the Lord can sustain us through trials and lead us to a life of superior living.

Key Takeaways:

1. Superior living is rooted in a deep understanding of Christ's supremacy. As we grasp the fullness of who Christ is, our lives naturally align with His will, reflecting His glory in our actions and decisions. This alignment is not about striving in our own strength but about resting in the truth of Christ's finished work on the cross. [41:38]

2. Drawing near to God is not a mere theological concept but a daily reality that we can experience because of Jesus' sacrifice. When we approach God with confidence, we find that His presence is a source of mercy, grace, and tangible help, transforming how we live and work. [51:08]

3. Holding tightly to our confession of hope is essential, especially during life's tumultuous moments. Our hope is not wishful thinking but a firm assurance based on the promises of God, who is faithful to fulfill His word. This hope anchors us and gives us the strength to persevere. [59:56]

4. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in solitude but in the fellowship of believers. Gathering for prayer and worship is not just a ritual but a powerful means of accessing God's strength and encouragement. Together, we can support one another in drawing near to God. [57:11]

5. Our faith is not blind optimism but a confident trust in the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of God. As we face the temporary nature of this world, our faith allows us to endure suffering with joy, knowing that we have better and lasting possessions in God. [01:06:38]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


2. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


3. Hebrews 10:32-34 (NIV)

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.


#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 10:19-20 say about how we can enter the Most Holy Place? ([43:37])
2. According to Hebrews 10:22, what should our attitude be when we draw near to God? ([47:06])
3. What are the benefits mentioned in Hebrews 4:16 when we approach God's throne of grace? ([50:26])
4. How did the early Christians respond to suffering and persecution according to Hebrews 10:32-34? ([01:04:02])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that we can enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus? How does this change our relationship with God? ([43:37])
2. What does it mean to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, and why is this important during difficult times? ([59:56])
3. How does the concept of community and gathering together play a role in our spiritual growth according to Hebrews 10:24-25? ([57:11])
4. Reflect on the early Christians' response to suffering in Hebrews 10:32-34. What can we learn from their example about enduring trials with faith? ([01:04:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Hebrews 10:22 encourages us to draw near to God with a sincere heart. What practical steps can you take this week to draw closer to God in your daily life? ([47:06])
2. Holding tightly to our confession of hope is crucial. Identify a specific promise of God that you can hold onto this week. How will you remind yourself of this promise daily? ([59:56])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of community. How can you actively participate in your church community to encourage and support others in their faith journey? ([57:11])
4. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What were the barriers that kept you from drawing near, and how can you overcome them now? ([47:06])
5. The early Christians accepted suffering with joy because they knew they had better and lasting possessions in God. How can this perspective change the way you handle current challenges in your life? ([01:04:02])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of inviting others to experience the gospel. Who is one person you can invite to church or share your faith with this week? ([34:48])
7. Hebrews 4:16 talks about approaching God's throne of grace with confidence. What specific area of your life do you need to bring before God with confidence, seeking His mercy and grace? ([50:26])

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Supremacy Shapes Our Lives
Understanding the supremacy of Christ is the cornerstone of a life that mirrors His excellence. When one truly grasps the magnitude of who Christ is, their existence begins to resonate with His will, reflecting His glory in every choice and action. This alignment with Christ's will is not about striving through personal effort but about finding rest in the reality of His completed work on the cross. The supremacy of Christ is a transformative truth that, when internalized, redefines one's priorities, values, and purpose. It calls for a life lived not for transient pleasures or achievements but for the eternal and unchanging kingdom of God. This understanding compels believers to live in a way that honors Christ's sacrifice and victory, ensuring that their daily lives bear witness to the grace and truth He embodies.

Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Reflection: How does the understanding of Christ's supremacy and sacrifice influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Day 2: Confidence in Approaching God
The privilege of drawing near to God with confidence is a tangible reality made possible by Jesus' sacrifice. Believers are invited to approach God's presence with boldness, assured that they will find mercy, grace, and help in their time of need. This nearness to God is not an abstract theological concept but a daily experience that transforms how one lives and works. It is in God's presence that one finds the strength to face life's challenges and the wisdom to make decisions that align with His will. The blood of Jesus has torn the veil, granting perpetual access to the divine, and it is in this sacred space that one's life is continually shaped and supported by the Almighty.

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: In what ways can you practice the presence of God in your daily routine to experience His mercy and grace more fully?

Day 3: Clinging to Hope in Trials
Holding tightly to the confession of hope is crucial, particularly during life's storms. This hope is not based on wishful thinking but on the steadfast character of God and the definitive work of Christ. It is a hope that acts as an anchor for the soul, providing strength and endurance through trials. The confession of hope is a declaration of faith that must be held onto unwaveringly, regardless of the circumstances. It is this unshakeable hope that empowers believers to persevere, knowing that God's promises are true and His faithfulness is without end.

Hebrews 6:18-19 (ESV): "So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to reaffirm your hope in God's promises, and how can you actively do that today?

Day 4: The Power of Communal Faith
The Christian journey is not meant to be a solitary endeavor but one that is enriched and strengthened by the fellowship of believers. Gathering for worship and prayer is a powerful means of accessing God's strength and encouragement. It is within the community of faith that believers can support one another, draw near to God, and experience His presence collectively. The act of coming together in unity is not merely a ritual but a vital practice that fosters spiritual growth and resilience. In the company of fellow Christians, one finds the encouragement and accountability needed to pursue a life that honors God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual growth of your community, and what steps will you take to foster deeper connections with fellow believers?

Day 5: Enduring with Joy Amidst Suffering
Faith in Christ is not a blind optimism but a confident trust in the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of God. As believers face the transient nature of this world, their faith equips them to endure suffering with joy, knowing that they possess something far better and lasting in God. This perspective allows one to navigate hardships not with despair but with a steadfast hope that looks beyond the present to the eternal glory that awaits. The temporary trials of this life pale in comparison to the enduring substance of the kingdom of God, which provides a firm foundation for a life of superior living.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What current difficulty can you view through the lens of eternal perspective, and how can this shift in focus change your response to it?

Quotes

1) "Correct theology or correct thinking about God is the source or the foundation for healthy and correct living for God. So in the book of Hebrews, he painstakingly says remember, remember, remember Christ is superior. Now if we embrace that, it ought to lead to superior living." [41:38]( | | )

2) "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart with the having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Jesus is the fulfillment of that; in him, I'm clean to be able to come before him. I receive what he's done with full faith in what he's accomplished." [49:06]( | | )

3) "Let us come with confidence to God's Throne of grace, there we will receive mercy, we find grace to help us when we need it most. What's the big deal about living close to God? The big deal is living far superior than any other way of living." [51:08]( | | )

4) "Let us hold tightly to the confession of Our Hope without wavering because we can trust he who promised is faithful. What is a confession of Hope? It's a declaration of what we believe, our faith. It's not just a feeling; it's the content of what we believe, our Creed." [59:56]( | | )

5) "Sometimes we just need some help doing that, let's be honest. We need some brothers and sisters around us. Together, we come in here and we can access the strength, we can draw near, live near the help and strength of God." [57:11]( | | )

6) "You knew there were better things waiting for you that are eternal and last forever. The people of God have always been a people who do not walk simply by what they see. I walk by faith, by the way, faith is seeing for the first time." [01:06:38]( | | )

7) "We should tenaciously hold on to the faith that we profess. Love this next phrase, come on say it with me, come what may. It's easy to hold on to that statement when everything's going all right, but what happens when everything starts to shake?" [01:02:38]( | | )

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Transcript
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