Jesus, the Author and the Finisher

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the personal, relational aspect of our faith in Jesus Christ. We often focus on doctrine and theology, but the Bible teaches us that God is a person who desires a personal relationship with each one of us. This teaching challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of Christianity and experience God's presence in our lives.

Key Scripture References

• Hebrews 12:2 - "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." This verse highlights the importance of focusing on Jesus as the central figure of our faith. The word "pioneer" emphasizes Jesus' role in blazing a trail for us to follow.
• John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." This passage shows us that Jesus is not just a distant figure, but a person who took on human form and dwelled among us.
• Psalm 139:7-10 - "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle in the farthest parts of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." This psalm emphasizes God's omnipresence and desire to be near us.
• Matthew 28:20 - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus' promise to be present with his followers is a reminder that we are not alone in our journey of faith.
• 1 John 4:16 - "So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." This verse highlights the intimate relationship between God's love and our own experience of it.
• Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." This passage emphasizes God's desire to be found by us and His promise to draw near to those who seek Him.

Key Takeaways

• We must move beyond a superficial understanding of Christianity and experience God's presence in our lives. This requires a willingness to engage with God on a personal level, rather than just following rules or attending church.
• The Bible teaches us that God is a person who desires a personal relationship with each one of us. We can encounter God through prayer, worship, and reading Scripture.
• Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He blazed a trail for us to follow, and His presence in our lives gives us the power to persevere.
• We must kill the celebrity Christian culture that focuses on personalities rather than the person of Jesus Christ. This requires a shift in focus from human leaders to the One who is truly worthy of our attention.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to engage with God on a personal level through prayer and worship. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and seek His presence in your daily life. Also, take steps to kill the celebrity Christian culture by focusing on Jesus Christ rather than human leaders.

Reflection Questions

• What are some ways that I have been living a superficial faith? How can I move beyond this and experience God's presence in my life?
• How can I engage with God on a personal level through prayer, worship, or reading Scripture? What are some specific steps I can take to draw near to Him?
• What is one way that the celebrity Christian culture has affected me or my understanding of Christianity? How can I kill this culture and focus on Jesus Christ instead?