Sermons on Christ's Work (Page 5)
Luke 2:1-7
Luke situates the birth of Christ in its historical context. It happened during the days of Caesar Augustus, while Herod was reigning in Judea (1:5) and Quirinius was governor of Syria. Pastor Grasso explains the significance of understanding the birth of Christ as a historical reality.
Matthew 1:18-25
Christ’s two names in Matthew 1:18-25 tell us who he is and what he has come to do. As “Immanuel” he is God with us. As “Jesus” he comes to save his people from their sins. The only way to make sense of the incarnation is to seek to understand it in light of the mission of Christ. Anything less than the salvation of his people from sin makes the incarnation incomprehensible.
Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34:1-12
In Deuteronomy 34 the greatest OT prophet dies. There would not be another prophet like Moses until the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses, however, in his death, as great as he was, shows that he was unable to bring the people of God into the promised land because of his sin. The prophet like Moses, but who far surpasses him, is able to bring all of God’s people into the land.
Matthew 8:23-27
In Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus calms the winds and waves showing that he is the sovereign Lord of the universe. If this is the case, then those who believe in him should not fear, for Christ has shown both that he is mighty and that he is for his people. This means that no matter what difficulty we face Christ will see us through until he returns and restores all things. Do not fear, rather believe.
Matthew 8:14-17
In Matthew 8:14-17 Matthew records the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and other healings. These healings show that Christ as absolute authority over demons and all kinds of diseases. Matthew emphasizes our need to respond to this authority by serving Christ and indicates that Jesus has come to defeat the devil and forgive sins.
Matthew 8:5-13
In Matthew 8:5-13, Matthew records Christ’s second miracle in chapters 8-9. Here Christ heals a Centurion’s servant. Amazingly, this Centurion, a Gentile, understands that Christ has sovereign authority even over diseases and disabilities. He believes that Christ is able to heal by simply speaking a word. Though he thought himself unworthy to have Christ in his home, Jesus assures him that he and those who have such faith will yet feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in heaven. His faith…
Matthew 8:1-4
In Matthew 8:1-4, Matthew records the first of nine miracles in chapters 8 and 9 that emphasize the great power and authority of Christ. Here, a leper approaches Christ believing that Jesus is fully God and able to heal him. Christ does not not just heal the man, but even heals by touching him, showing that he cannot contract any uncleanness and is the one in whom all are cleansed.
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
In Deuteronomy 27:1-10 Moses gives instructions concerning the covenant ceremony to take place after the people of God cross the Jordan. There are two things highlighted in this ceremony: the public inscription of the Word of God and the offering of sacrifice. These two, the Word of God and sacrifice, are highlighted by Moses to show the vital nature of each in order to have a covenant relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 23:1-18
Deuteronomy 23:1-18 shows that anyone who comes into the presence of God must be holy. These laws restricting access to God and regulating holiness and purity remained in place until the coming of Christ who has so thoroughly cleansed his people that they now have perfect access into his presence.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul emphasizes that the death and resurrection of Christ happened historically according to the Scriptures. This resurrection is absolutely foundational to salvation such that without the resurrection of Christ no one can be saved. Pastor Grasso here explains the historical witness to the resurrection and the way in which it was attested in Scripture before the coming of Christ.
Ephesians 2:1-10
How is Christ’s resurrection related to your salvation? In Ephesians 2:1-10 Paul explains that you are dead in your sins but God made you alive together with Christ. Salvation is resurrection and not just any resurrection but it is union with Christ such that His resurrection becomes yours. For the believer the spiritual life you have is the life of the resurrected life of Christ. “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” – Matthew 28:6
Deuteronomy 15:19-23
In Deuteronomy 15:19-23 Moses gives the law concerning offering the firstborn of an Israelite’s clean animals to God, emphasizing that the animals used in sacrifice must also be without blemish. This law builds on the theology of the Passover and Exodus where God redeemed His people so as to spare the firstborn of Israel through the blood of a lamb. This law was meant to be a reminder of what it takes to make an atonement whereby the people of…