December 25, 20005 Summit AM

Adoring Jesus

Introduction

A. Text – UHebrews 1:1-14U

B. Popular song this time of year – O Come Let Us Adore Him

1. Focus of the song is the birth of Jesus – born the king of angels

2. Yet there is so much more to adore about Him than His birth

3. Text shares many reasons – add some others

C. Pray

UI. Reasons To Adore Jesus

A. Many see Jesus from purely fleshly point of view

1. Baby lying in a manger

2. Great teacher & expounder of God’s wisdom

3. Great humanitarian who truly cared about people

4. A prophet – spokesman for God – revealer of truth

B. He Is God’s Final Spokesman

1. God has revealed Himself in many ways

a. Nature

b. Inner witness of man’s conscience

c. Law – writings of Moses & the prophets

2. Problem – in all these ways man can never fully know God

a. UJn.1:18U – no one ever seen Him – Jesus manifests Him

b. Only Jesus truly knows the Father

c. Before men could only share fragments of God’s message

d. Jesus as God’s Son = God’s final spokesman (fully reveals)

e. He is the “Word” – reveals everything man needs to know

f. U2 Pet.1:3,4U – all need for life & godliness = know Jesus

C. Appointed “Heir of all things”

1. Lawful owner of all things = inherits all God is & has

2. Inherits

a. All God’s power & authority – UMt.28:18

b. Lord of the living & the dead – URom.14:9

c. His name is above every name – UPhil.2:9,10U

D. Creator of the universe

1. UCol.1:16U – by Him were all things created

2. UJn.1:1-3U – by Him were all things made

E. Exact radiance of God’s glory

1. Possesses the very glory of God

a. “Exact representation of His being”

b. Being = absolute & timeless existence

c. Idea – possessed God’s glory before He came – still possesses it

2. Glory = all the brightness, radiance & splendor of God

a. All that God is dwells in Jesus - U Jn.1:14U – only begotten

b. Pres. Part = is & continues to be

c. Disciples able get a glimpse at Mt of transfiguration

F. Sustains all things by His powerful word

1. He is in control – speaks & laws set in motion

2. At His word all the universe obeys – UGen.1:1; Mt.28:18U

3. His word keeps everything from flying apart = evil conquering all

G. He is the redeemer – provided purification for all sin

1. His sacrifice of Himself fully satisfies God’s justice

2. Other prophets could only speak of such a day = Jesus fulfills

3. U2 Cor.5:21U – made to be sin

H. Sits at the right hand of the Father

1. URev.5:1-3U – who worthy come & open scroll?

a. None is worthy to approach Father – only Jesus

b. He to be supremely respected honored & worshiped

2. Inherited a name above all names

a. Called God’s Son – Uvs.5

b. All the angels are to worship Him – Uvs.6

c. Called God by His Father God – Uvs.8U

UII. See What He Has Given Us As Christians

A. UEph.1:3-8U – every spiritual blessing in heavenly realm

1. Chosen

a. Of all creation we set apart as His

b. UEph.2:6U – are seated with Him in heavenly realm

2. Predestined to be adopted as sons

a. Predetermined those in Jesus as His children

b. UPs.8U – what is man that you are mindful of him?

1) Exalted in creation

2) Exalted in heavenly realm – UHeb.1:14U – angels serve us

3. God’s pleasure to so exalt us

a. All of heaven excited when man repents

b. Freely forgives us in Jesus – U2 Cor.5:17U – everything made new

4. Given His Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. – UVs.13,14

a. Our helper – UJn.14

b. Guides us – intercedes for us

c. Because of Him – we can fully please God – URom.8:4,13

B. In Christ we are set free

1. From sin – URom.6:7

2. From death – UJn.11:25,26

3. From defeat – U1 Cor.10:13U

4. From discouragement & worry – UPhil.4:4-7

5. From all fear – UJer.29:11; Rom.8:28

Conclusion

A. What a gift God has given us in Jesus

B. Every day – all year long – Come Let’s Adore Him