God’s Story: Christ
Pastor Tim discusses the importance of Jesus's life before his crucifixion within the larger narrative of God's redemptive plan. Three key themes are highlighted: Jesus's perfect adherence to God's law, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in his life, and his complete identification with humanity, allowing him to empathize with and relate to human suffering. Pastor Tim argues that Jesus's earthly ministry demonstrates God's love and accessibility, contrasting it with the capricious nature of other ancient deities. The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to approach God with confidence, assured of receiving mercy and grace because of Jesus's sacrifice.
Deep Dive Podcast
Study Guide
Quiz
Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
According to the speaker, what is the overarching theme of the sermon series?
Why does the speaker separate the topic of Christ from the topic of the Cross?
What is the first key reason the speaker gives for why Jesus' life before the cross is important?
What example does the speaker use to illustrate that people cannot perfectly keep God's law?
What is the second key reason the speaker gives for why Jesus' life before the cross is important?
Approximately how many prophecies in the Old Testament does the speaker suggest Jesus fulfilled?
According to the speaker, how did the gods of other cultures contrast with God as presented in the Bible?
Why does the speaker emphasize Jesus' humanity?
According to the speaker, what does it mean that Jesus is a great high priest?
How does the speaker use Hebrews 4:16 to encourage the listeners?
Quiz Answer Key
The overarching theme is that people are invited to be part of God’s story, which is about redeeming the broken world. This means people are not the authors of the story, but rather they play a part in it.
The speaker separates the topics of Christ and the Cross in order to focus on the life and earthly ministry of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. This separation allows the sermon to explore different aspects of Jesus' role in God's redemptive plan.
The first key reason is that Jesus lived out the law of God perfectly, something that no other human has done or can do. This perfect obedience is essential for Jesus to be a suitable sacrifice.
The speaker uses the example of driving in downtown Newmarket and exceeding the speed limit to demonstrate how easily people break even simple laws, which ultimately also breaks God’s commands.
The second key reason is that Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies in his earthly life. This fulfillment proves that what God says is true and that His word will come to pass.
The speaker suggests a conservative estimate of 150 fulfilled prophecies in the Old Testament, acknowledging that some scholars suggest 300-450.
The gods of other cultures are described as capricious, moody, distant, and often immature, whereas the God of the Bible is presented as a relational and nearby God.
The speaker emphasizes Jesus' humanity to show that He could fully relate to human experience, including temptation and suffering, and that he became like those he came to save.
Jesus as a great high priest means that he serves as the intermediary between God and humanity, offering the perfect sacrifice for sin, which also allows people to approach God.
The speaker uses Hebrews 4:16 to encourage listeners to confidently approach God's throne of grace to receive mercy and grace, emphasizing that these gifts are accessible through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Essay Questions
Discuss the significance of Jesus' life before the cross, according to the speaker. How does this message challenge common views or assumptions about the importance of the crucifixion?
Explain the relationship between Jesus' perfect obedience to the law and his role as a sacrifice for sin. How does this relationship connect to the Old Testament tradition of the sacrificial lamb?
Analyze the speaker's argument that Jesus came to relate to and represent humanity fully. How does the speaker use the concepts of temptation and a high priest to support this argument?
How does the speaker incorporate textual evidence from both the Old and New Testaments to build his argument about the significance of Christ's life? Provide specific examples.
Compare and contrast the speaker’s portrayal of God with the portrayals of gods in other religions and traditions. How does this portrayal impact our understanding of God's character and our relationship with Him?
Glossary of Key Terms
Redemption: The act of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. In the context of the sermon, it refers to God’s plan to rescue and restore the broken world.
Covenant: A formal agreement or pact, especially one made by God with a specific group of people (e.g. the Abrahamic covenant which was made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).
Propitiate: To appease or satisfy; in a theological context, to satisfy divine justice, particularly through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Prophecy: A prediction or foretelling of future events, often attributed to divine inspiration; in the sermon, it refers to the Old Testament predictions about Jesus that were fulfilled in his life.
Messiah: The promised deliverer of the Jewish people; in Christian theology, Jesus Christ is recognized as the Messiah.
Capricious: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; used to describe the unpredictable gods of other cultures.
High Priest: A religious leader, often seen as a mediator between God and people. The sermon emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate high priest.
Atonement: The reconciliation of God and humankind through Jesus’ sacrifice. It is the action of making amends for a wrong or injury.
Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
Grace: The free and unmerited favor of God; a divine gift that is undeserved and unearned.
Document: A Greek word used to describe something that has been tested and proven without breaking, like the way Jesus did not give in to temptation.
