Jesus the Alpha and Omega

Revelation 22:10-13

Introduction

Jesus, as the Alpha and Omega, provides all the divine enablement we need to have a successful Christian life.  The concept of Alpha and Omega is similar to what we mean when we say “from A-Z.”  This usually implies the idea of completion, covering all things from beginning to end.  Jesus identifies Himself in Revelation 22:13 as the Alpha and Omega, which is the same way God identified Himself in the Old Testament because He is God (Isa 44:6).  As the Alpha and Omega, Jesus is also the complete revelation and manifestation of God – the very person of God as represented by His character, words, and thoughts.

The Alpha and Omega, in the form of Jesus Christ, is our sufficiency, victory, and identity.  There is nothing a believer can face that Jesus Christ isn’t capable of handling.  Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, just as A and Z are the first and last letters in the English alphabet.  Embedded between the beginning and the end are all the letters one would need to make words.  Those letters, arranged and rearranged, make complete words, and those words are enough to fill Webster’s dictionary!  Just as the alphabet is arranged to create a multiplicity of complete words in a dictionary, Jesus, as the Alpha and Omega, can completely meet the needs of every situation in life that we face.  Christ reaches into our circumstances by arranging the delivery of His sufficiency, His ultimate victory, and His identity to bring abundant life to the believer.

Because Jesus Christ is the complete source, from beginning to end, He is to be the center of our faith.  The believer should focus on Him by making time with Him a priority.  For example, starting and ending the day with God by studying His word and spending time with Him in prayer assists the believer in maintaining this focus.  Our fidelity and loyalty to Christ comes with “benefits.”  Being attached to the Alpha and Omega means our lives on this earth are covered because He is sufficient.  This is true even when circumstances seem out of order and even out of control.  God, as the author and finisher of our faith, will bring us to the finish line as we stay focused on our relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Alpha and Omega provides everything we need to get from wherever we are to wherever we need to go.

Getting Started

1. What was most meaningful to you as you learned about Jesus the Alpha and Omega?
2. This week’s sermon marks the eighth sermon in the Encountering Jesus’ Name How is what you’re learning affecting your walk with Christ in practical ways?

Let’s Get Personal

1. We learned that Jesus, as the Alpha and Omega, is all sufficient and able to bring about completion in any situation. Has there been a time in your life where you have experienced Jesus as completely sufficient?
2. According to Philippians 1:6 quoted above, what good work has God began in you? What area of your life is He currently perfecting concerning your spiritual growth?
3. What would it look like if you were to live with the confidence of knowing that Jesus is your sufficiency—that you have the backing of the almighty Alpha and Omega? What in your life would change if you were to live this way?

Take the Next Step

1. What can you do this week to keep Jesus the focus of your life? In what ways can those in your small group hold you accountable to what you say you will do in order to prioritize Christ?
2. Want to go deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Isa 41:3; 44:6; 48:12; Col 1:15-20; 2:3, 9-10; 3:11; Heb 12:1-3, 25; Rev 1:8; 21:5-6

Renew Your Mind

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” – Rev 12:13