1700 years ago the Council of Nicea gathered together to discern and articulate essential Christian faith in what we now call the Nicene Creed. Research is showing that people are growing tired of the shallow theological foundations and insta-meme culture that passes in our culture as 'spirituality' and 'religion'. There is a dawning spiritual hunger for foundations that are rooted in critical thinking, ancient spiritual truth, and that have stood the test of time because they offer elational truths more than religion. We are studying the Nicene Creed in our Fall sermon series in order to be grounded in the most ecumenical and long standing statements of Christian faith. We are also discovering how these words, and what they point us to, give us stability in an unstable world. Today's message will focus us on the person and nature of Jesus Christ: We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. Utilizing the Gospel of John, chapter 1, I invite you to reflect deeper on this line from the Nicene Creed through journaling, discussion, and prayerful reflection.

1. What is at stake when it comes to the nature of Jesus?

2. Why do you think the dechurched find this stanza of the Nicene Creed so essential?

3. How does Jesus' divine nature as the "unique" and "only begotten" Son matter in our world today?

June 8, 2025

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