The Founder of our Salvation

January 31, 2023

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

Sermon text: Hebrews 2:5–18



The Founder of our Salvation


Right out of the gate, we see another "angel" contrast, specifically that it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come. So to connect this set of verses to the previous set of verses, when we speak of salvation, at least part of what we are talking about is "the world to come."


When Jesus comes back he will establish a new heavens and a new earth, the fulfillment of every covenant promise and the fulfillment of our salvation. 


Point # 1: There are at least two components to our salvation... NOW... and FOREVER.


Next, we are shown more details about the now and forever of our salvation. The author goes straight to Psalm 8, which explains our salvation in terms of "subjection." Subjection means to be "placed under the control of another."


Point #2: God's plan is for EVERYTHING to be placed under the control of US!


Now this is quite a remarkable consideration! Part of God's plan for the salvation of His children is for there to be NOTHING left outside of our control. In his infinite wisdom, he desires for us to reign and rule over this world... to be able to exercise dominion.


Point #3: You are more likely to drift from your salvation, if you think it is only about this life.


Viewing our faith and salvation as only impacting us now can lead to feelings of meaninglessness, which almost always lead to feelings of hopelessness. We have placed our faith in Jesus, and something bad happens to us or someone we love, and we say things like "What's the point?" OR "Why do bad things happen to good people?" We are consumed with the present, and the present is consuming us. The hope of glory has turned into the fog of meaninglessness. 


So what now? God has a plan for us to have everything in subjection to us, and nothing outside of our control, but it’s not working. 


We agree, we do not yet see this happening. But what else do we see?


Perfection Through Suffering

9 - "But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 - For it was indeed fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering."


WE SEE HIM!


This is the first time in the book of Hebrews that Jesus is mentioned by name. It's like a big fancy timely entrance.


But then it changes. He fulfills what we have yet to experience, but he plays a unique role...

  • Jesus experienced the suffering of death
  • Jesus, by God's grace toward us, tasted death for everyone


We don't "taste death." We just "die." Why? The wages of sin is death.


Only one who is sinless can "taste" death and not die. That is what Jesus has done. He emptied himself and became obedient to the point of death on a cross, he was buried, but did not stay buried. On the 3rd day he vacated the grave and conquered death. He only tasted it. It could not hold him down. The good news of the Gospel is that He is risen! And He didn't only conquer His death, but the death of all who would put their faith in him for the forgiveness of their sins. And the next verse explains how God's plan plays out.


Point #4: It was fitting for God to make Jesus perfect through suffering.


Now this can be really confusing! How can one who is "all-knowing" learn? How can one who is perfect, be perfected? 

Sometimes when a particular piece of Scripture is confusing, we have to take a minute to go back to what we know. For example, we know that Jesus is perfect. He has no imperfection. So this must mean something other than “the imperfect Jesus suffered in order to be made perfect.” 

Hebrews 5:8-9 "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."


He learned obedience through what he suffered... To understand this we have to zoom out... In as much as Jesus had never suffered, he also had never been tested. Before coming to earth, He only knew sinless fellowship with God outside of time. He had never been tempted.


As well, this is the only time that we have had someone come from the presence of God the Father, and dwell with us in the human form of us. For Jesus to be perfected, was for Jesus to be tested. He had never been in a scenario where someone else's words provoked him to anger, or doubt, or fear, or jealousy. He had never worked soil that would push back with thorns and rocks. He had ever been tempted to provoke his children to anger, because they had been unruly and defiant. He had never been tempted to numb himself with alcohol or food as a means of hiding from the feelings of futility that can come from hard days.  He had never experienced cravings. 


There is a great frustration in sharing your struggles with someone, and they respond with phrases like "Well, now you know how I feel" or "Welcome to my world".


And if Jesus had not been perfected through suffering, if he had not learned obedience through what he suffered, if he had not left the Father's side, from where he had dwelled in all perfection outside of time, and come to our world, and taken on flesh, and experienced struggle, we might very well look to him and say, "No, you don't know I feel. You don't connect with me. You and I are not the same! I have never dwelled sinlessly with God, and you have ONLY dwelled sinlessly with God! You have not faced loss, heartache, grief, confusion, temptation, fatigue, or anxiety. You don't know how I feel."


But He does. He experienced a kind of anxiety in Gethsemane where he cried tears of blood. In tasting death for us, he experienced all of the emotions that would lead to a prayer to his Father, saying, "If it is at all possible, please let this cup pass from me... don't make me drink it... if there is any other way." But there was no other way. According to the writer of Hebrews, this was "fitting." All other attempts would not be "fitting." 


Point #5: Jesus gets you. 


Point #6: Jesus' obedience proves the worth and glory of God.


Jesus, as a member of the trinity, experienced perfect unity, described biblically as a dance, with the Father and Holy Spirit. He knows God's ways. He knows God's thoughts and intentions. He knows God's eternal plans. He knows God's love and tenderness and wisdom and glory. He knows the joy and fulfillment of obedience. And at EVERY opportunity where Jesus could have chosen disobedience to God, he looks to God the Father who he knows perfectly, and he looks back at the temptation, and he says "Not worth it" EVERY SINGLE TIME. 


Persevere to the end. Christ’s sacrifice achieves for us the reality mentioned at the beginning of this passage. Because our sins are forgiven, we will eternally reign and rule with Christ in a new heavens and a new earth, where nothing is outside of our control, and everything is in subjection to us and Jesus. As you fight to not drift from this great salvation, look to Jesus. He understands you and he is able to help those who are being tempted. 



Discipleship Questions:

  1. How does an eternal perspective keep us from neglecting our salvation?
  2. What are some things you see in our world today that make faith hard?
  3. In your own words, how was Jesus perfected through suffering?
  4. What impact does Jesus’ suffering have on your relationship with him?
  5. What if Jesus had never taken human form and suffered?
  6. How does Jesus’ suffering magnify the worth and glory of God?
  7. Why is Jesus able to help when you are tempted?




Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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