Three Responses to the Finished Work of Christ

Mike Sullivan

Hebrews 10:19-25

The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed towards the final sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross to cover human sin. There are three responses that the author of Hebrews calls us to: 1) draw near to God; 2) hold fast the confession of our hope; and 3) consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

Old Testament Ceremony

Lee Campbell

Hebrews 10:1-4

Sometimes, before we will see spiritual reality, we need to hit rock bottom. Part of the purpose of the Old Testament Law was to show the problem that people have, and to point to the solution in Christ. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the symbolism of the Old Covenant.

Christ Our Priest

Jim Leffel

Genesis 14:17-20

The message of the Bible hinges on an understanding of sacrifice; that we need a priest, who intercedes for us through substitution. The Old Testament explains that the priesthood was held by the Levites, yet Jesus with from the tribe of Judah. The way to reconcile Jesus' kingship and priesthood lies in the character of Melchizedek, and has two important implications: 1) the old priesthood is over, and 2) the new priesthood means we have constant intercession with God.

The Birth of Christ

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 2:1-14

The birth of the savior occurs in an unspectacular fashion. Christ voluntarily gave up his perfect position for a life of humiliation, misunderstanding, and rejection. He takes this low standing to show people how desperate their situation is, wholly displaying that God loves us with an amazing love.

Jesus' Unique Conception

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 1:18-25

The birth of Jesus removes itself from being considered a myth by being deliberately lodged in history. This means that God really did come down in human form. There are several reasons that God did this: 1) to provide evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, fulfilling all of the prophecies along the way; and 2) to provide salvation for the human race as a substitute. This knowledge prompts the response of entrusting ourselves to God.

The Cross

Dennis McCallum

John 18:33-19:30

After his betrayal, Jesus is beaten, flogged, mocked and led to the cross for his crucifixion. He endures physical torment, psychological torment, and spiritual torment, taking on the full wrath of God for the sake of humanity. Christ's perfect life made him able to atone for all of human sin for all time. We learn that Christ accepted this brutal and excruciating death to make human reconciliation with God possible, by faith.

The Upper Room

Dennis McCallum

John 13:1-17

Practicing a self-sacrificial, others-centered lifestyle is actually far more fulfilling and joyful than living a life serving self. Christ was the ultimate example of this as he chose to take the role of a lowly servant and washed his disciples' feet the night before his death.

The Humble Messiah

Dennis McCallum

John 12:12-34

We, like the Jewish people of Jesus' day, are ready to follow God only if He meets our expectations. This type of religious devotion is superficial and outward. Jesus did not meet the expectations of the people of his day. Instead of being a powerful ruler, he was a humble servant. He will come back one day and conquer Satan and the power of sin once and for all. We have a choice to lives our lives in sacrifice to others as well.

Why This Waste?

Dennis McCallum

Mark 14:3-9

As believers, we have a different values-system than people who are only living for this life. We have eternity to look forward to and invest in. Therefore, the choices we make in this life should reflect that reality. Here we look at the disciples' shallow response to a woman who understood what it meant to invest in her eternal life.