Canaan Fellowship

The Pre-Existence and Divinity of Christ and The Most Important Events in History

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Canaan Fellowship
Canaan Fellowship
The Pre-Existence and Divinity of Christ and The Most Important Events in History
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Bruce Hempel’s sermon focuses on the pre-existence and divinity of Jesus Christ, contrasting John’s spiritual account of the incarnation with the physical narratives in Matthew and Luke. He examines key scriptures that affirm Christ’s eternal nature as part of the Godhead and explores the major events in God’s redemptive history, from creation to eternity future.

  • [00:00:00] The sermon begins in John 1, presenting a spiritual account of the incarnation, emphasizing Christ’s eternal pre-existence and role in creation.
  • [00:03:06] The central theme is Christ’s pre-existence before creation, establishing Him as an eternal member of the Godhead.
    1. [00:03:52] In John 6:38, Jesus states He “came down from heaven,” indicating His heavenly origin prior to His earthly life.
    2. [00:05:11] In John 6:62, Jesus speaks of “ascending to where he was before,” again claiming pre-existence.
      • [00:06:04] Bruce references C.S. Lewis’s trilemma: Jesus is either Lord, a lunatic, or a liar—He cannot merely be a great moral teacher given His claims.
    3. [00:07:07] In John 8:58, Jesus declares, “before Abraham was, I am,” claiming the divine name and eternal existence, which caused the Jews to attempt to stone Him.
    4. [00:09:41] Micah 5:2 prophesies the Messiah’s origins are “from of old, from ancient days,” pointing to His eternal nature.
    5. [00:11:13] In John 17:5, Jesus prays to be glorified with the glory He had with the Father “before the world existed.”
    6. [00:12:33] Philippians 2:6-7 states Christ, “though he was in the form of God,” emptied Himself to take human form, illustrating the incarnation.
    7. [00:14:13] Colossians 1:15-17 describes Jesus as the “firstborn of all creation,” through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together.
    8. [00:16:01] Hebrews 1:2-3 says God created the world through His Son, who upholds the universe by His word.
  • [00:19:02] Bruce and a congregant (Larry) reference Micah 5:4-5 and Isaiah 9:6, which prophesy the Messiah as the “Prince of Peace” and “Mighty God.”
  • [00:20:15] The sermon shifts to a historical overview of “The Most Important Events in History,” framed by four worldview questions.
    1. [00:23:55] How did we get here? Creation: God’s legitimate claim on our lives.
    2. [00:23:55] What went wrong? The Fall: Includes Satan’s rebellion, Adam’s sin, the corruption in Genesis 6, and the rebellion at Babel.
    3. [00:24:35] How will it be set right? Redemption: God’s choice of Abraham, the nation of Israel, the prophets, and ultimately the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, leading to the spread of the Gospel.
    4. [00:24:41] What will it look like? Eternity Future: The Lord’s return, final judgment, the new heaven and new earth.
  • [00:32:17] The conclusion focuses on eternity future, citing 1 Corinthians 2:9 (as 2 Corinthians 2:9) that God has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him, and encourages looking forward to Christ’s return.

Scripture References

  • John 1
  • John 6:38, 62
  • John 8:58
  • Micah 5:2
  • John 17:5
  • Philippians 2:5-7
  • Colossians 1:15-17
  • Hebrews 1:1-3
  • Micah 5:4-5
  • Isaiah 9:6
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9

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