Christ, the Second Adam

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Tim Tennent, the President of Asbury Theological Seminary, as our speaker this morning.

As we have spent time this fall describing “shrunken stories” because of the sin of the first Adam in the Garden, we also have the delight of sharing again about the magnificent story of Jesus. Paul describes the difference between the two types: the first Adam sinned and brought separation between Adam and Eve, creation, God, and even within Adam. However, the second Adam, Jesus, came to redeem and restore. The first Adam brought sin, curse, and death. The second Adam brought forgiveness, blessing, healing, life, and eternal life. The second Adam also poured out the Holy Spirit on another gift—the church. The first Adam spiraled into a downward trajectory of pride, fear, anger, blame, and guilt. The second Adam raised us to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As N.T. Wright said, “Jesus is the resolution to a story in search of completion."