The Marvel of Christ: A Call to Wonder

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 7, verse 15, we find the Jews marveling at Jesus' teaching, despite His lack of formal education. This marveling is a central theme throughout the New Testament, capturing the essence of Christianity. The reaction of marvel and astonishment is not just a historical account but a litmus test for the authenticity of Christian teaching. If the message of Christianity does not evoke a sense of wonder, it may not truly represent the faith. This absence of marvel in contemporary Christianity is a concern, as it suggests a misrepresentation of the faith.

The marveling at Jesus began even before His birth, with the angelic announcement to Mary, and continued throughout His life. His teachings, miracles, and even His behavior were sources of astonishment. His ability to teach with authority, despite being a carpenter, and His gracious words left people in awe. His miracles, such as calming the storm and healing the sick, further demonstrated His divine nature. Even His death on the cross, which seemed like a moment of weakness, was a profound mystery, as He died quickly, bearing the weight of humanity's sins.

The marvel did not end with Jesus' earthly life. The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued to astonish the world. The events of Pentecost, where the disciples spoke in various tongues, and the miraculous healings performed by the apostles, left people in wonder. Throughout history, revivals and the steadfast faith of martyrs have continued to cause amazement.

Christianity's message itself is a marvel. It is not about human efforts to please God but about God's actions in sending His Son for our salvation. This salvation is a free gift, not earned by works but received through faith. The concept of being born again, a spiritual rebirth, is another aspect that causes marvel. If one has never marveled at the person of Jesus, His teachings, or the salvation He offers, it is a sign that they may not truly understand or embrace the Christian faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The essence of Christianity is captured in the reaction of marvel and astonishment. This sense of wonder is a test of the authenticity of Christian teaching. If the message does not evoke marvel, it may not truly represent the faith. [05:12]

- Jesus' life, from the announcement of His birth to His resurrection, was filled with events that caused people to marvel. His teachings, miracles, and behavior were all sources of astonishment, revealing His divine nature. [12:44]

- The early church continued to astonish the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. The events of Pentecost and the miraculous works of the apostles left people in wonder, demonstrating the ongoing presence of Christ. [34:15]

- Christianity's message is a marvel in itself. It is not about human efforts but about God's actions in sending His Son for our salvation. This salvation is a free gift, received through faith, not earned by works. [41:20]

- The concept of being born again, a spiritual rebirth, is a profound mystery that causes marvel. If one has never marveled at Jesus or the salvation He offers, it may indicate a lack of true understanding or acceptance of the faith. [43:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to the Marvel of Jesus
- [01:28] - The Effect of Jesus' Teaching
- [03:56] - The Marvel of Pentecost
- [06:09] - The Absence of Marvel in Modern Christianity
- [07:03] - Misconceptions About Jesus and Christianity
- [10:40] - The Gospel as God's Mighty Deed
- [12:22] - Marveling at Jesus Before His Birth
- [14:50] - Marveling at Jesus' Birth and Childhood
- [17:15] - Jesus' Astonishing Teaching and Miracles
- [20:36] - The Astonishing Behavior of Jesus
- [24:09] - The Marvel of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
- [33:20] - The Marvel of the Early Church
- [39:53] - The Marvelous Message of Christianity
- [43:09] - The Mystery of Being Born Again
- [45:04] - The Call to Marvel at Jesus and Salvation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 7:15 - "The Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this man know letters, having never studied?'"
2. Luke 2:33 - "And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him."
3. Acts 2:7 - "Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, 'Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the reaction of the Jews to Jesus' teaching in John 7:15, and why was it significant? [00:13]
2. How did the early church continue to evoke marvel and astonishment according to the sermon? [34:15]
3. What examples from Jesus' life and ministry caused people to marvel, as mentioned in the sermon? [12:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the reaction of people to the events of Pentecost? [34:15]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon suggest that marvel and astonishment are essential indicators of authentic Christian teaching? [05:12]
2. How does the concept of being "born again" contribute to the sense of marvel in Christianity, according to the sermon? [43:09]
3. In what ways does the sermon argue that the absence of marvel in modern Christianity might indicate a misrepresentation of the faith? [06:09]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection in evoking marvel and astonishment? [24:09]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of marvel or astonishment in your faith journey. What was the cause, and how did it impact your understanding of Christianity? [45:04]
2. The sermon suggests that if one has never marveled at Jesus or His teachings, they may not truly understand the faith. How can you cultivate a sense of wonder in your daily spiritual practices? [43:09]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to experiencing the marvel and power of the Spirit, as seen in the early church? [34:15]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing God's actions rather than human efforts in Christianity. How can you shift your focus from your own efforts to God's work in your life? [41:20]
5. Identify an area in your life where you may have become complacent in your faith. What steps can you take to reignite a sense of marvel and astonishment in that area? [06:09]
6. How can you share the marvel of Jesus' teachings and the message of salvation with others in a way that evokes wonder and curiosity? [39:53]
7. Reflect on the concept of being "born again." How does this idea challenge or affirm your current understanding of your spiritual identity? [43:09]

Devotional

Day 1: The Marvel of Authentic Christian Teaching
The essence of Christianity is captured in the reaction of marvel and astonishment. This sense of wonder is a test of the authenticity of Christian teaching. If the message does not evoke marvel, it may not truly represent the faith. The marveling at Jesus began even before His birth, with the angelic announcement to Mary, and continued throughout His life. His teachings, miracles, and even His behavior were sources of astonishment. His ability to teach with authority, despite being a carpenter, and His gracious words left people in awe. His miracles, such as calming the storm and healing the sick, further demonstrated His divine nature. [05:12]

Isaiah 29:14 (ESV): "Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden."

Reflection: When was the last time you felt a sense of wonder in your faith journey? How can you seek out moments of marvel in your daily walk with Christ today?


Day 2: Jesus' Astonishing Life and Teachings
Jesus' life, from the announcement of His birth to His resurrection, was filled with events that caused people to marvel. His teachings, miracles, and behavior were all sources of astonishment, revealing His divine nature. The early church continued to astonish the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. The events of Pentecost and the miraculous works of the apostles left people in wonder, demonstrating the ongoing presence of Christ. [12:44]

Luke 4:22 (ESV): "And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, 'Is not this Joseph's son?'"

Reflection: Consider a teaching of Jesus that has left you in awe. How can you apply this teaching in a practical way in your life this week?


Day 3: The Marvel of the Early Church
The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued to astonish the world. The events of Pentecost, where the disciples spoke in various tongues, and the miraculous healings performed by the apostles, left people in wonder. Throughout history, revivals and the steadfast faith of martyrs have continued to cause amazement. This ongoing marvel is a testament to the enduring presence of Christ in the world. [34:15]

Acts 2:43 (ESV): "And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed or heard about a modern-day miracle or act of faith. How did it impact your understanding of God's power and presence?


Day 4: The Marvelous Message of Salvation
Christianity's message itself is a marvel. It is not about human efforts to please God but about God's actions in sending His Son for our salvation. This salvation is a free gift, not earned by works but received through faith. The concept of being born again, a spiritual rebirth, is another aspect that causes marvel. If one has never marveled at the person of Jesus, His teachings, or the salvation He offers, it is a sign that they may not truly understand or embrace the Christian faith. [41:20]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How does the understanding that salvation is a free gift change the way you live your life? What steps can you take to share this marvelous message with others?


Day 5: The Mystery of Being Born Again
The concept of being born again, a spiritual rebirth, is a profound mystery that causes marvel. If one has never marveled at Jesus or the salvation He offers, it may indicate a lack of true understanding or acceptance of the faith. This spiritual rebirth is not just a one-time event but a continual process of transformation and renewal in the life of a believer. [43:09]

John 3:7-8 (ESV): "Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience a spiritual rebirth? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation in these areas today?

Quotes


There is no word perhaps that expresses more perfectly the very essence of Christianity than just that word, Marvel. It is, of course, the great characteristic word of the New Testament. In various ways and forms, we find it almost everywhere. These are the typical New Testament terms: Marvel, wonder, where a male, whereas Daanish. [00:02:01]

Christianity at the beginning was a cause of wonder and astonishment, amazement. Men and women were surprised and astonished. And, of course, the history of the church shows very plainly and clearly that in all subsequent events in the history of the church, especially when there has been revival or Reformation or reawakening, the effect has still been the same. [00:04:17]

The presence or the absence of this element of marvel or amazement or astonishment proclaims very clearly, therefore, as to what claims to be Christianity is in reality Christianity or not. I think you'll agree that that's a fair deduction. Here it is, as our Lord Himself speaks, they marvel. [00:05:05]

The way to test whether any teaching or type of preaching that claims to be Christian, the way to test whether it really is Christian or not, is to discover whether there is in it this element of marvel and of astonishment and an amazement and whether it leads to that effect upon people who listen to it. [00:05:44]

If you think of Christianity as just some moral and ethical teaching, if you think that Christianity is but a message that teaches us to avoid certain sins and to make our protests against various matters, if Christianity is really nothing but a combination of temperance and pacifism and political education, well, again, it may interest people, but it won't cause anybody to marvel. [00:06:35]

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the account of God's mighty deed. What was it that these apostles began to preach on the day of Pentecost? Wasn't it this, the wonderful works of God? That's what it's all about, not what men have done, not what men think, but what God has done, the wonderful works of God. [00:10:49]

He caused marvel and wonder and amazement even before he was born. Do you remember the Archangel Gabriel going to Mary and telling her, hail now that are not anointed, and how he proceeded to tell her that she was going to bear a son? You remember Mary's reaction when she saw him. She was troubled at his saying. [00:13:12]

He never worked a miracle but that people were filled with a sense of wonder and astonishment and amazement. Oftentimes they gave praise unto God. They said, what is this? Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him? Who is this person? He seemed to be a man, yet there was always something more. [00:20:00]

The message of Christianity is that salvation is not something that a man works for himself. It's not something a man earns. It is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, and people marvel at this. They say, I thought to be a Christian means that I live a good life, I turn over a new leaf. [00:39:50]

Regeneration, a new birth, a new life. How does a man become a Christian? Is it as the result of his exertions and efforts? Is it anything he does? No, no, you must be born again. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [00:43:09]

Have you marveled at yourself? You remember how the Apostle Paul did. He said, I am what I am by the grace of God. He says, I was formerly a persecutor and a blasphemer and an injurious person. I did it ignorantly in unbelief, but I obtained mercy. He never got over the love of the Son of God. [00:46:24]

There is a day coming when everybody will marvel at him and at his great salvation. Listen to the Apostle Paul warning the people in Antioch of Pisidia. He'd preached Jesus and the resurrection to them. He'd preach this gospel that I've been feebly trying to hold before you tonight. [00:51:14]

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Transcript
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