Jesus Christ Really Is That Awesome

In one paragraph

This message came from Hebrews 1 and 2, with supporting passages from Philippians 2 and Galatians 4, all pointing toward one repeated claim: Jesus Christ really is that awesome. Pastor Mark walked through what the writer of Hebrews says about who Jesus actually is, and what that means for why Christmas is worth celebrating. The whole sermon kept returning to the difference between subjective...

Read together

1. Hebrews 1:1-4 primary Christmas text on God speaking through His Son, Christ as heir and agent of creation, brightness of God's glory, purging sins and sitting at God's right hand
2. Psalm 2 quoted as Old Testament proof: 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'
3. 2 Samuel 7 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
4. Deuteronomy 32 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
5. Psalm 97 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
6. Psalm 104 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
7. Psalm 45 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
8. Psalm 102 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
9. Psalm 110 listed as one of the Old Testament proofs in Hebrews 1
10. Hebrews 2:5-9 on mankind made a little lower than angels, crowned with glory and honor, and Christ tasting death for everyone
11. Psalm 8 quoted within Hebrews 2 on what is man, mankind crowned with glory and honor, all things put in subjection under his feet
12. Ephesians 2:8-9 used to explain that salvation by grace must be accessed through faith
13. Philippians 2:5-11 the Christmas story in Philippians: Christ emptying Himself, taking the form of a servant, obedient to death, and exalted above every name
14. Galatians 4:4-5 on the fullness of time, Christ born of woman and under the law, to redeem those under the law and give adoption as sons
15. John 3:16-17 read during the Advent candle lighting for the Sunday of love

Talk about it

1. The pastor described Jesus Christ as the agent of creation who also upholds all things by the word of his power. What does it mean to you personally that the same one who created and sustains everything stepped down into human flesh?
2. The sermon pointed to Psalm 8 and said mankind has been crowned with glory and honor, yet we do not yet see all things put under us the way God intended. Where do you see that gap most clearly in your own life or in the world around you?
3. The pastor said that when Hebrews uses the phrase 'by himself' to describe Christ purging our sins, it means he paid 100 percent of it, not just the part we could not cover ourselves. How does that change the way you think about what you bring to your relationship with God?
4. The Philippians passage was read to show that Christ 'emptied himself' of divine rights to be born in humble conditions, and that his glory and honor came through the suffering of death. How do you hold those two things together, Christmas and Easter, in the way you actually live day to day?
5. The word 'might' in phrases like 'that he might redeem' and 'that the world might be saved' was described as hinging on a person's own will. The pastor said God's will is that everyone be saved, but he will not force anyone's hand. How does that shape the way you think about sharing this message with people in your life who have not accepted it?