Born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, dead and buried | Apostle’s Creed | Philippians 2:5-11
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Pastor’s Teaching Notes from Our Apostles' Creed Series
Welcome, friends. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been journeying line by line through the Apostles’ Creed, exploring what these ancient words mean for our everyday lives. Whether you’re joining us in person or online, I hope these notes serve as a helpful companion as you reflect on the message and watch the teaching video above.
Living in an Epic Story
When you hear a familiar theme—like the opening music from Star Wars—something stirs inside. My kids and I have been watching the Star Wars saga, and it’s honestly the definition of a modern epic. What draws us in is the sense of ordinary people caught in a cosmic battle between good and evil. In the opening of Episode IV: A New Hope, we meet Luke on a desert planet, unaware of his true place in a much larger story.
Similarly, many of us live day by day—making breakfast, paying bills—without realizing that according to Scripture, we’re part of a far bigger story. There’s a battle of creation and rebellion, good versus evil, sin and redemption—and, like Luke, we have a role to play.
Why the Apostles' Creed?
That’s why we’re spending time unpacking the Apostles’ Creed line by line. The word "creed" comes from the Latin "credo," meaning "I believe." Early Christians would publicly affirm these beliefs as a way of declaring their faith. It’s easy to speak the Creed without much thought, but if we actually believed what we say week after week, what would change about our lives?
The Heart of the Creed: Jesus’ Descent
After affirming that God is Father Almighty, Creator, and that Jesus is God’s only Son and Lord, the Creed brings this epic story down to earth with a striking statement:
Jesus… conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
These are not just historical facts. Each phrase draws Jesus lower, showing us how far God was willing to go for our rescue.
Jesus Came All the Way Down
Think back to that moment in Star Wars: a princess locked deep in the enemy’s fortress, requiring the hero to put on a disguise and go all the way in to rescue her. The rescue isn’t possible from a distance.
In an infinitely more profound way, this is what Christ did for us. The Bible tells us that the King, Creator, and Almighty didn’t stay at a distance—He came down. Each step in the Creed shows Him going even lower, to the point of death and beyond, to bring us all the way home.
Finding Ourselves in the Story
We all know what it’s like to feel trapped—in guilt, grief, pain, loss, or even cycles of our own making. We wonder at times, "Is there any place too far for God to rescue me?" The message of the Creed says there’s not. No place is too far, no situation too hopeless, that God cannot reach us because Jesus has already gone lower than anywhere we might ever fall.
The Humbling of God
Paul’s words from Philippians 2 remind us that Jesus, being God, did not cling to His status. Instead, He emptied Himself, taking the very nature of a servant, becoming human, and humbling Himself to the point of death—even death on a cross. Jesus’s incarnation—God putting on flesh—means He moved into our neighborhood. He became touchable and tangible.
When the Creed says "born of the Virgin Mary," it underscores that Jesus had a real body, a real mom, and lived a very real human life. This wasn’t random—it fulfilled promises God made long ago. Isaiah foretold a virgin would bear a son called "Emmanuel," God with us.
Fully God, Fully Human
Jesus, who flung galaxies into space, became a helpless baby, utterly dependent on a young mother. He knew what it was to live an ordinary human life, to face grief, temptation, betrayal, awkwardness, and loneliness. This means when we come to God in our pain, we don’t speak to someone out of touch with our struggles—we come to One who truly understands.
The Cross: More Than a Martyr’s Death
The Creed specifies: "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried." These details root Jesus firmly in history. Pilate was a real governor, and the cross was a brutal, shameful Roman instrument of execution. The savior went not just to humiliation and pain, but to the absolute depths, to bear the full weight of sin and death.
Why so low? Because the greatest enemies to defeat are sin and death. Only a perfect sacrifice could set us free, and Jesus willingly laid down His life for us.
Not a Distant Rescue—A Real One
Unlike fictional heroes, Jesus did not wear a disguise; He came as He truly was—fully God, fully human. Everything happened in real history, under real authorities. His death took place outside the Jewish temple walls, under a Gentile ruler, making clear that His sacrifice is not just for some people, but for the entire world.
“He Descended Into Hell” — What Does That Mean?
This line often makes people uncomfortable, but it’s there for a reason. Some interpret it as Jesus proclaiming victory among the dead. Others, following traditional catechisms, understand it as Jesus experiencing the full separation from God’s presence—the very essence of hell—on the cross. He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" so that we would never have to be forsaken by God. This reminder brings comfort; in our darkest moments, we know Jesus has gone to the depths for us.
Living Out the Creed
How then should we live if we really believe all this is true?
Be Honest With God:
Scripture invites us to approach God’s throne with confidence, especially in our time of need—not just when we feel put together.
Embrace Forgiveness:
Jesus has already paid our debt. Let go of guilt and shame, and live as free people. When necessary, make amends because we’ve been forgiven.
Step Toward Others in Love:
Just as Jesus came toward us, we’re invited to move toward others with compassion. Be present, really listen, and offer to walk alongside those in pain.
Invitation: The Story Begins Here
Maybe you’ve never truly trusted Jesus. Know this: our story with God doesn’t begin by finding our own way up—it begins with God coming all the way down to us. Simply pray, "Jesus, thank You for coming all the way down for me."
Never forget: Jesus went all the way down to bring us all the way home.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus, being God, emptied Himself, walked among us, and made Your love tangible. Help us receive Your forgiveness, walk in freedom, and extend Your grace to others. Amen.
For Reflection:
What does it mean for you that Jesus experienced every depth of human suffering and still chose to rescue you?
Where in your life do you need to be honest with God and receive His comfort and grace?
Who is God asking you to come alongside this week?
Remember, you are never alone—Jesus came all the way down, just for you.
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Opening Prayer
Begin by inviting God’s presence and asking for the Spirit’s guidance to discern, understand, and apply the truths of Christ’s incarnation, suffering, and sacrifice.
Icebreaker
Share about a story (from movies, books, or real life) where someone went to great lengths to rescue another. How did that impact you?
Scripture Reflection
Read Philippians 2:5-11 together.
Consider also reading John 1:14, Genesis 3:15, and Isaiah 7:14, 53:4-6 as referenced in the sermon.
Discussion Questions
1. The Epic Story and Our Place
What stood out to you about the “cosmic” story the sermon described, comparing it to our ordinary lives?
How does thinking about your daily life as part of a much bigger, spiritual “battle” shape your perspective?
2. The Apostle’s Creed: Knowing and Living Truth
The sermon said: “It’s one thing for us to know these words, for us to say them week after week. It’s another thing to live as if they are true.”
What’s the difference between reciting the Creed and living it?
How would life look different if you truly believed these statements?
3. Jesus’ Descent: The God Who Comes Down
Discuss: “Jesus went all the way down to bring us all the way home.”
How does this capture the heart of our faith?
Why is it significant that Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary”? What do these phrases protect about who Jesus is?
What comfort comes from knowing Jesus had a “real mom, a real physical birth, a real body”—that the God of the universe “lived a very ordinary life in Nazareth”?
4. The Suffering and Death of Jesus
Explore this statement: “Paul tells us…he humbles himself, he empties himself, taking the very nature of a servant and being made in human likeness…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.”
Why was it important that Jesus suffered and died this way?
In what ways was Jesus’ crucifixion unique?
What hope does it offer that Jesus’ sacrifice was “for the sins of the world,” not just for a select few?
How does this shape how we view others and live our faith?
5. “He Descended Into Hell”
Many are uncomfortable with this line. The sermon offered a few views: that Jesus entered the realm of the dead “to announce that He has been victorious over sin,” or that “on the cross, Jesus experiences…where the love, the peace, the joy, and hope of God is not felt.”
What does it mean for Jesus to experience complete separation from God so “we would never have to”?
How does this bring comfort in times of shame, guilt, or feeling far from God?
6. Grace, Honesty, and Living Free
It was said: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
What gets in the way of you doing this?
What does it look like to stop pretending or hiding and be honest with God?
The sermon shared: “Remorse and regret make terrible saviors. Jesus on the cross has already paid our debt.”
Where do you still hold on to old guilt as if you need to pay for it?
How could receiving forgiveness change the way you treat yourself and others?
7. Reflecting Christ to Others
Paul writes, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
What are some practical ways you can “go toward others,” especially those hurting or in need?
When someone opens up to you, what would it look like to “walk with them through it” as Jesus does with us?
Application and Prayer
What is one thing you sense the Holy Spirit asking you to do in response to these truths this week?
Pray together: Thank God for coming all the way down for us. Ask for courage to be honest, and for the power to live free from guilt and to extend grace to others.
Additional Reflection (For Personal Study)
Read the relevant passages of the Apostle’s Creed.
Meditate on what each phrase means for your life.
Consider journaling a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ incarnation, suffering, and sacrifice.
Remember:
As the sermon concluded, “Jesus went all the way down to bring us all the way home.” May this truth reshape your understanding of God’s love and your participation in His redeeming work.