Sermon Study Guide

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Only Jesus Can Save the World “Light: Experiencing Christ in the Psalms” Psalm 40:6-10; Hebrews 10:5-7

December 23, 2018 BIG IDEA Christmas isn’t just about finding an excuse to be kind, to be with family, or get some rest. Those are wonderful byproducts of the season. But the essence of Christmas goes to the Incarnation of Christ. God became man. Now, our sins can be forgiven. We can be free. We can have eternal life. No one else in the universe can accomplish this amazing plan. It has to be the Son of God. Only Jesus Can Save the World!

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context for Psalm 40: The Psalmist is David and in verses 6-10 he’ll help us understand that Christ came to achieve what the Old Testament sacrifices could never achieve: redemption for New Testament worshippers like you and me. Psalm 40:6-10 6

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” 9

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. Context for Hebrews 10:5-7: This passage mirrors Psalm 40:6-10. “A body that has been prepared” refers to the wording “but you have given me an open ear” that is found in Psalm 40:6. The author of Hebrews is

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reflecting the words of David (a “type” of Christ), who iterates the idea that obedience, along with sacrifice, is a holistic approach to worshipping God. Ears were apparently symbols of obedience because they are the receptors of God’s Word and represent consequent obedience to his will. Hebrews 10:5-7 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. Sin is the Problem Psalm 40:6-10 The problem that the Father addresses through the sending of his Son, Jesus Christ, into our world is sin. Sin is rebellion against God. Dr. Wayne Grudem, a highly-respected theologian, defines sin this way: “Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.” If not dealt with, sin keeps you from God. a. Where did sin originate? Why was sin so alluring to Adam and Eve?

b. What destructive consequences of sin have you noticed in your own life? Do you find it difficult to break sinful habits?

c. The Bible clearly states in Romans 6:23 that the “wages of sin is death.” What kind of death are we talking about? Does this truth motivate you to tell others about Jesus? Why or why not?

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2. Sacrifices Put Sin Aside Hebrews 10:5-7 Sacrifices put sins aside awaiting the final atonement. Jesus is that final atonement. Jesus came to save the world. All of this messy sacrifice—the killing of animals and the sprinkling of blood—were all a precursor to Jesus. He was a sinless and spotless lamb. He spilt his blood. It was messy, gory, and awful. But it had to be this way. a. Describe what it would be like to have to make sacrifices in order to be right with God. What do you do now to be right with God?

b. Jesus willingly gave of himself to be the final sacrifice. Why did he have to be human and divine to do that?

c. Have you thanked the Lord for his amazing gift of grace? What are some ways that you can help others get out from under the weight of guilt that comes when we don’t accept the forgiveness of God?

3. The Incarnation Was Necessary Psalm 40:9-10 The natural consequence for sin is that a penalty must be paid in order for God’s justice to prevail. But by trusting our salvation to Jesus, we can literally be delivered from sin. Psalm 40:9 attests to this truth. And amazingly, not only are we delivered from the penalty for sin, which is death, we are given the righteousness of Christ. The word translated “deliverance” here in the original Hebrew is “righteousness.” This is identified as God’s righteousness in the next verse.

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All of this is made possible by a loving God that sent his only Son into the world, incarnated as a baby. His mission was to save the world by becoming the final sacrifice for sin. a. Why is it important to possess the righteousness of Christ?

b. Most people believe that they can be “good enough” to get to heaven. Is this true? What does this Psalm say about sin and righteousness?

4. Only Jesus Could be the Perfect Sacrifice and Only Jesus Can Save You Luke 19:10 – For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Jesus came for one reason and one reason alone. Luke 19:10 tells us that he came to “seek and save the lost.” He came to save the world. He came to save you. And he came to rescue you from the penalty of sin, which leads to eternal death. Through Jesus and Jesus alone, you can have eternal life. a. You can take the steps of faith that will lead you to Christ. You can have eternal life by:     

Recognizing that you have a sin problem Repenting of that sin Receiving forgiveness Believing his claim to have died and that he rose again And asking Jesus to be the controller of your life

If you have chosen to follow Christ, we invite you to talk with a friend who is a Christfollower, your community group leader, or a pastor about the decision you have made.

PRAY Jesus, I believe that you were born in a manger and united divinity with humanity. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you became the final sacrifice. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me. Thank you for grace. I love you! Amen.

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DIG DEEPER For further study this week:  

The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger – a book from Lee Strobel New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional – from Paul David Tripp

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA What a Year It Has Been! - Reflecting on God’s Goodness Toward Ridgewood in 2018

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