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The Work of Christ: What the Events of Jesus' Life Mean for You

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“The work of Jesus reveals to us who He is. The work and the person may be distinguished but never separated.”
—Dr. R. C. Sproul
 
Most Christians recognize the importance of Christ’s death and resurrection. But how many of us understand the theological significance of Jesus’ actions before and after the Crucifixion? In The Work of Christ, Dr. R. C. Sproul looks at every aspect of Jesus’ life and work, addressing such life-changing topics as:
Why Jesus’ baptism is relevant for our salvation
The similarities and differences between the temptation of the first Adam and the temptation of Jesus, the “second Adam”
How God uses song to celebrate his redemptive acts
Why the Last Supper marks the beginning of a greater exodus than that of the Old Testament
How Jesus’ death and resurrection are grounded in the eternal covenant among the persons of the Trinity
Why Jesus’ ascension makes a difference in our lives today
What we know and don’t know about Jesus’ return
Moving from Jesus’ existence from before creation through His incarnation, boyhood, adulthood, death, resurrection, and return, Dr. Sproul guides you to a deeper understanding of God’s beautiful promise and purpose behind the works of Christ’s life.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2012

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1091 people want to read

About the author

R.C. Sproul

673 books2,004 followers

Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.

Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.

Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.

He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.

Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Kofi Opoku.
282 reviews23 followers
December 13, 2024
I've always admired R.C. Sproul's ability to present rich theological content in a clear and accessible manner. In this work, he uses the Christ hymn from Philippians 2 as a framework to discuss the pivotal events in Christ's life, from his birth to his second coming. It was a refreshing reminder of God's redemptive plan and how much Christ has accomplished on our behalf. Incidentally, I read this during the Advent season, which made the chapters on His birth especially devotional.
Profile Image for Mercedes Cordero.
148 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2012
An excellent, excellent book on the work of Christ, His active obedience and what it means for us. The chapters are short (this is, in fact, not a long book), very appropriate for an individual weekly Bible study, and also a great tool for a small church group. Dr. R.C. Sproul does a great job of presenting Christ and His work at various points in His life, explaining its meaning and importance for our life.

What is the importance of Mary’s song when she first learns God had chosen her to bear His Son? If Christ was perfect and sinless, why did He insist on being baptized? Is there any relation between the temptation of Christ and the temptation of Adam? What is the importance of the transfiguration? Was it even necessary? Why is the resurrection important to our justification? These and many more questions find their answer and simple explanation in this book.

If you are like me, you don’t only read books on theology and doctrine just because you like to read; you read them to learn, to grow in your knowledge of God and His Word, with the hope of retaining everything you’ve learn, so that you can remember it, make reference to it, and apply it in your life. If you’re like me, you will love the Study Guide at the end of each chapter in this book. It is very obvious that Dr. Sproul is much more than an author or theologian: he is a teacher. He takes great care in explaining even the most complex doctrinal issues in such a simple and understated way, that you find yourself amazed that you didn’t understand it before. And to make matters even better, Dr. Sproul not only writes with the intention of making things clear, he includes these great Study Guides with learning objectives, quotation, wonderful and detailed outlines, Bible studies, discussion guides, applications, and recommendations for further reading at the end of each chapter that drive the point home, in case you didn’t understand it the first time around. You are sure to understand, learn, and retain all this great information.

If you are not like me, and you have not read a theology book in your life, The Work of Christ is a good way to start. It is profound, but never difficult to understand. And you will grow in your understanding of Jesus, His work, His intentions and our need for justification.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, David C. Cook, through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Becky.
6,198 reviews304 followers
April 17, 2017
I loved, loved, LOVED reading R.C. Sproul's The Work of Christ. This one would be great to read any time of year. (It's not just an Advent book or Lent book.) It would be a great choice for bible study groups, book clubs, or sunday school classes. But, of course, it would be great for individuals to use on their own as well. (It has some built-in features that make it ideal for group study, however.)

The subject of this one is obvious--Jesus Christ, his person, his work, his mission. The book is all about glorifying Jesus Christ. Not unnecessarily separating his person from his work, so that one could dissect and diagram salvation in all its minute details. To love Christ more, to know Christ better--these are the aims.

R.C. Sproul writes in chapter one, "IN THEOLOGY, WE MAKE a distinction between the person of Christ and the work of Christ for various reasons. But even though that distinction is important, we must never let it become a separation, because the person of Christ is intimately connected to His work. We understand His work largely from the perspective of the One who did the work. Conversely, the work of Jesus reveals a great deal about who He is. So, His person and His work may be distinguished but never separated."

I love, love, love the fact that this one does NOT begin with his birth, with the incarnation. Instead it goes to "eternity past," to the ages before "in the beginning." It is stressed that Jesus' death on the cross was not an alternate plan, a plan "B," a last-minute course correction.

In eternity before creation, the Father initiated the concept of redeeming the creation He knew would fall. He designed the plan of redemption. The Son was given the assignment to accomplish that redemption. The Holy Spirit was tasked with applying Christ’s work of redemption to God’s chosen people.

The incarnation of Christ was not an afterthought or an impulse of God. Rather, it was part of God’s plan, for He had promised His people a redemption tied up together with the covenant that He had made with the patriarch Abraham. That plan was carefully mapped out, so that a definite time was set for Jesus to be born.

Once this has been established, it does give a traditional step-by-step, event-by-event overview of every aspect of Jesus' time on earth. Scripture is his guide.
Profile Image for Lynnette.
880 reviews
March 30, 2021
This book functions more like a study. There is a lecture written by Sproul followed by a list of learning objectives, an outline of the chapter, and discussion questions for a small group. From reading the front and back of the book, I definitely had no idea it was going to be formatted this way. I think it would make for a really good study with a group. It's one weak spot is the application questions. pretty much all of them are just like "reflect on this truth". But if this was done in a small group, it would be easier to talk about how each chapter could be applied specifically to an individual's life.
Profile Image for Vitor Cortial.
24 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2020
Tem seus altos e baixos. Certamente o capítulo da crucificação foi o zênite da obra. Creio que após eu ler esse livro as obras de Cristo estão mais sistematicamente presentes em meu coração e minha cabeça.
Profile Image for Brenda.
367 reviews
December 24, 2018
This short audiobook was a good read for Christmas, when you hear a lot about the fact that Jesus came to die for us. That's true, of course, but it's important to understand that He also came to live. This book, while brief, lives up to Sproul's usual standard.
Profile Image for Barry Davis.
354 reviews13 followers
August 27, 2024
This highly readable and rich book offers twelve chapters addressing significant events in the life of Christ. Each close with a guide that includes an introduction to the topic, key learning objectives, pertinent quotes, an outline, and a guided Bible study (with references and questions to engage the reader in a deeper consideration of the event, a discussion guide, and application of the content). In addition, Sproul offers suggested additional reading on the subject, along with notes from the chapter. Following is a brief overview of each chapter:

1.Incarnation. Sproul emphasizes the importance of this topic, noting it as the most significant consideration in Christ’s birth. Some time is spent reviewing what has been termed The Kenotic Hymn (Phil. 2:5-11) and the importance of the Christian in seeking to emulate Christ’s humility, a humility that bookends His two exaltations.

2.Infancy Hymns. This chapter reviews 3 hymns in the Gospel of Luke that provide insights on Christ, similar to the Old Testament songs of Moses (Ex. 15:1-18), Miriam (Ex. 15:21), and Deborah (Judg. 5:1-22). The 3 hymns recorded in Luke are the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46b-55), the Song of Zachariah (Luke 1:68-79), and the Song of Simeon in Luke 2:29-32). This brief song is know as the Nunc Dimittis (Latin for the first two words of Simeon – “now dismiss”).

3.Jesus in the Temple. Here the author discusses the one detail offered in Scripture on the early life of Christ, emphasizing the growth in His humanity (Luke 2:40, 52) as well as the importance of His mission to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Sproul notes that “Even at age twelve, in His growing knowledge of His task on earth, He knew He had a job to perform” (p. 54).


4.Baptism. After discussing the ministry of John the Baptist, the author emphasizes the words of Christ as He explained the necessity of John baptizing Him “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). A short discussion is offered on Christ’s passive and active obedience as well as the double imputation of our sin on Him and His righteousness to us.

5.Temptation. As the second Adam, Christ was let into the wilderness to successfully endure the temptation where the first Adam failed. Satan’s attack mirrored the temptation of the first couple in Genesis. Jesus’ responses shows the power of the Word of God when its trustworthiness is challenged.

6.Transfiguration. Christ’s appearance in His glory before the 3 disciples is compared with Moses’ request to see the face of God in Exodus 33:18-23. Even thought this was not possible for Moses, the disciples were blessed to experience a fleeting glimpse of Jesus’ glory, presented in His pure white clothing with a cloud and the voice of the Father telling them to listen to what the Son has to say.

7.Triumphal Entry. In Matthew 21:1-11, we read how Jesus entered Jerusalem as royalty and, “by allowing the crowds to laud Him, Jesus took off the wraps of His most carefully guarded secret” (p. 115). In this chapter, Sproul explains the distinction between the 3 offices of prophet, priest, and king, and how Jesus represented all of them. David’s son entered Jerusalem as David’s Lord (Luke 20:41-22), the King that will need no succession.

8.Last Supper. As Jesus was coming to His final hour, He demonstrated a desire to have a last Passover meal with His disciples. The Passover had been a yearly event to look ahead to the eventual sacrifice of the perfect Lamb. As Jesus conducted this meal with His disciples, He did something audacious, changing the cup to make it refer to His blood as the perfect sacrifice as the New Covenant was being established. Sproul suggests that this was the start of the Church, even before Pentecost.

9.Crucifixion. Paul emphasized the singular nature of this event in 1 Cor. 2:2 as the perfect atonement for sin; Caiaphas saw this as political expediency to satiate the Romans, Pilate saw the political expediency of settling the crowd, and the thief on the cross saw it as a miscarriage of justice. In Romans 3:21-26, Paul wrote of the propitiation that took place in Christ’s sacrifice, a clear parallel to the Day of Atonement for the Jews. This word of redemption was both a blessing and a curse, as Paul demonstrated in Galatians 3:10-14. As He suffered on the cross, Jesus “was the most loathsome sight ever in the universe, and God is too holy to look on sin” (p. 152). Sproul closes this powerful chapter in quoting from the Christmas hymn “Joy to the Word,” where God makes “His blessings flow far as the curse is found” (p. 152).

10.Resurrection. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:20-2 again make a comparison of the two Adams, with Christ, the second Adam, emerging as Christus Victor (the victor not just for Himself, but for all He purchases by His blood). He was raised by the command of God to incorruption and to the new humanity (1 Cor. 15:44-49). Sproul notes “this is the crux of the work of Christ in the resurrection…He restores the original image of God to His people and prepares them to live forever” (p. 170).

11.Ascension. In categories of the New Testament, the author describes the ascension as “the acme of Jesus’ work” (p. 181) Luke provides two accounts of this event, one as he ended his gospel and the second in the opening of Acts. As the disciples witnessed the event, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, in contrast to their initial response when He said He was departing (John 16:16-20). Four key results come from this event: 1) His glorification, 2) His coronation, 3) the gift of the Comforter, and 4) the ministry of Christ as the great High Priest.

12.Return. Sproul introduces this chapter in noting that, even though Christ is now sitting at the right hand of the Father, He still has work to do. Emphasizing the distinction between worldly hope and the hope we have in Christ, he writes on the anticipation of Christ’s return and our participation in it (of course his Presbyterian doctrine informs this event). He also invests some time in discussing the increase in apostasy and in the appearance of the Antichrist. In writing of His return, Sproul writes that this “is our hope, and it cannot fail to be fulfilled” (p. 206).

In summary, The Work of Christ is an excellent treatment of these key events in His life and includes extensive study guides for each chapter.
Profile Image for Jeanie.
3,091 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2012
Probably one of RC Sproul's best. I like how it was laid out. Each work of Christ from the trinity to his return. Learning objectives of each work, a quotation from a well known teacher that brings it all together, an outline of the work, and for deeper- a bible study with questions to ponder and reflect. A discussion guide and recommended reading. The work of Christ his is exaltation and his humiliation back to his exaltation. We experience the same as we come to know him and follow him. My favorite was the temptation of Christ. Starting where it all began in the Garden to Jesus own temptation. The differences and similarities. Page 86...In truth, contradiction is the hallmark of the lie. Are we more mindful of the things of men or of God? Satan said...Did God say? Jesus said...it is written. With study and deep reflection you will find the bible still very relevant. Satan is stills saying "Did God say".
September 11, 2020
Honestly, I have never read a more #relatable Godly book. My 65 year old husband left me 2 years ago, and this book has given me the spirit to Ouiji board his ghost.

#god
#lovelaughlive
#ouijiboard
#whoyougonnacall
#ghostbusters
#ghostsarereal
#instamodel
#bestbookeva
#jesusknowsbest
#sugarbaby
#inspirational
#takemetochurch
#hozier
#spirit
#worship
#fyp
Profile Image for Perpetual Felicities Blog.
54 reviews
September 9, 2021
This book functions more like a study. There is a lecture written by Sproul followed by a list of learning objectives, an outline of the chapter, and discussion questions for a small group. From reading the front and back of the book, I definitely had no idea it was going to be formatted this way. I think it would make for a really good study with a group. It's one weak spot is the application questions. pretty much all of them are just like "reflect on this truth". But if this was done in a small group, it would be easier to talk about how each chapter could be applied specifically to an individual's life.
Profile Image for Richard Moore.
16 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2019
Great quick read and points out what it’s all really about, Jesus and his incredible, and immense work. Sproul is a master wordsmith and theologian and herein describes what Jesus has accomplished for us through his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and continual intercession. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Matt Crawford.
533 reviews10 followers
February 11, 2020
Typical Sproul. Very conversational. As you’d expect plenty of references to Luther, and even one of his beloved Steelers! It’s very brief. An overview or survey really. Even more brief when you see the study guide between each chapter. Great for bible study or small group. It’s a very light and easy read. I got it done in an afternoon.
Profile Image for Dustin.
27 reviews
January 8, 2021
Wonderful. A deep plunge into the theology of the doctrine of the redemption of Christ. R.C. unveils hidden gems from scripture as if it were a flawless diamond. I plan on reading this again soon. What did Jesus's death accomplish and how it relates to other doctrines such as the trinity, the second coming, election and more. Really well done by one of my favorite authors.
268 reviews
July 7, 2025
This is an excellent study book on the several works of Christ. it is set up as a study guide but I simply read it. Excellent summaries of the works of Christ (Incarnation, Baptism, Temptation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension - 12 in all) but if you are looking for more depth, you will have to complete the study guides.
525 reviews
May 8, 2017
I always enjoy RC Sproul, he has a wonderful way of exalting Christ and expounding the scriptures in way I understand. In this book he goes through the life events of Jesus and the implications each should have on our life and faith.
390 reviews11 followers
September 17, 2017
Bible study - 5 stars; Book - 3 stars

As a Bible study, this is an excellent resource and would be great for small groups or small Sunday school classes. As a stand-alone book, it doesn't have much to offer.
Profile Image for Ming  Chen.
492 reviews
November 11, 2024
Good. Sproul discusses different aspects of Christ's work, like His incarnation, crucifixion, and ascension. It would serve a clear, straightforward, yet not simplistic introduction for a new Christian.
21 reviews
March 14, 2025
Very good synopsis of the subject, written with a study guide format and easy to read for laymen. Sproul makes very good points about actions by Christ which the church needs to emphasize more, such as His ascension and return.
One of my favorite theology teachers.
Profile Image for David.
106 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2017
Pretty solid, I wish it was more in depth. Very good book for people wanting to start studying theology.
Profile Image for Tim.
15 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2018
Accessible and enriching

Each chapter offers a quick read, but with plenty of resources for a deeper dive, perfect for personal or group study.
Profile Image for Jared Naidoo.
29 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2019
Reformed theology doing what it does best. I found this book theologically flat and too neatly systematic theology. I did not expect anything more though.
Profile Image for Brian Pate.
427 reviews30 followers
November 13, 2019
Very good introduction to the life and work of Christ. The inclusion of thoughtful application questions makes this useful for Discipleship or small group Bible studies.
56 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2020
Good read, it reiterates a lot we learn in church. Short but sweet.
3 reviews1 follower
October 28, 2020
Great as always

Once again, Dr Sproul has created an interesting and informative book. He continues to keep my interest with his writing. Highly recommended.
172 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2023
Exceeded my expectations and was just a great summary of Jesus' life and works.
Profile Image for Scott.
69 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2023
Dr. Sproul does a great job in talking about the work of Christ. What was his purpose here on Earth. Sproul does a great job speaking to the layman and doesn't use too much academic language.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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