Fathom: Christology
Pastor Aaron Sutherland
Understanding the hope we have in Jesus, lets us grow in our love for Jesus.
Ephesians 3:16-19
And I ask him (Jesus) that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
I. IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST, WE FATHOM GOD’S HOPE
1 Peter 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Because our hope is found in a person, our hope must become personal.
II. IN THE PROMISE OF CHRIST, WE FATHOM GOD’S HOPE
1 Peter 1:4b-5
This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Psalm 139:16
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
We must not allow the uncertainty of our circumstance to drive us to an uncertainty in our God.
We are shielded by God’s power, in order to bring us to God’s promise.
When you boil it down, Christ followers are a people of a promise.
III. IN THE PROCESS OF CHRIST, WE FATHOM GOD’S HOPE
1 Peter 1:6-9
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus? How have you experienced Jesus in that personal way?
2. How has leaning on God’s promises made a difference in your life?
3. What are some examples of painful processes in your life that resulted in a greater maturity and closeness to Jesus?
