The Real Jesus (Lesson 3)

Opinions of who Jesus is vary.  This was true in ancient times and it is still true today.  This lesson explores the person of Jesus. 

 

Luke 9:28-35 NASB  Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.  (29)  And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.  (30)  And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,  (31)  who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.  (32)  Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.  (33)  And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not realizing what he was saying.  (34)  While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.  (35)  Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!"

This is what is known as the transfiguration.  They had seen Moses and Elijah.  Peter wanted to put up three tabernacles.  This would have placed Jesus as one in a long line of equals. No one is equal to the Son of God.

God’s voice came from the cloud saying this is my son.  God tells them and us to listen to His Son.  He is not one in a long line or prophets.  He is the only one that can reconcile us to God.

The Real Jesus is fully God, He is fully man and He is the only way for individuals to be saved.

If you don’t know Him please call on Him today!

The Real Jesus (Lesson 2)

Opinions of who Jesus is vary.  This was true in ancient times and it is still true today.  This lesson explores the person of Jesus.  

Luke 9:20-22 NASB  And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."  (21)  But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,  (22)  saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."

Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter’s reply “The Christ of God.”  The Bible is very direct in identifying who Jesus is.  Luke 2:11the angels say, “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  Again in Luke 4:41 “ Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.”

This was the first time the disciples make this confession.  They had been following Jesus, listening to His teaching, and taking in all He did and said.  He is the Christ of God.  Their confession even tells us who sent Jesus.  We must remember that Christ is not a name it is a title, which means Messiah. 

Jesus, in verse 22 refers to himself as the Son of Man. Jesus Christ the second part of the Godhead came to earth with the sole purpose of redeeming sinful man.  He put on human flesh and became the Son of Man.  

He is the Suffering Servant.  The followers of Jesus could not understand this part.  Isaiah 52 clearly foretold the fate of the Son of Man.  

He is the Victorious Savior.  In verse 22, Jesus foretells of His death but he also tells of His victory on the third day.

Come back next week God has something to say to Peter, John and James about Jesus’ identity. 

The Real Jesus (Lesson 1)

Opinions of who Jesus is vary.  This was true in ancient times and it is still true today. 

This lesson explores the person of Jesus. 

Luke 9:18-19 NASB  And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?"  (19)  They answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again."

Ancient identities of Jesus include John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets.  Some believed the spirit of John the Baptist had passed on to Jesus.  Others thought Jesus was Elijah in fulfillment of Malachi 4:5.  Still others argued that Jesus was one of the resurrected Old Testament Prophets.

If any of these views had been true then Jesus would have been only one in a long line of equals.  Jesus, as evidenced through His death, burial and RESURRECTION has no equal. 

Even today, others still will not accept the true identity of Jesus. 

Islam rejects Him as being the son of God.  They say He is one of Allah’s prophets.  They deny that Jesus is God incarnate.  The Koran teaches that Jesus was only a man. 

Mormonism views Jesus as a created being.  They say He was the first of many through the sexual intercourse of male and female earth gods.  They believe that Jesus is a saved being and He came to earth to earn His salvation.  They also believe that Jesus and Satan are brothers.  

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, Jesus was created and had to be born again.  They say He received immortality for his faithful ministry on earth.  Take a look at what their Bible “New World Translation” says in John 1:1 In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a God.  

Jesus asked the disciples “Who do men say that I am?”  

Jesus is fully GOD.  He is not a god.  He is not a prophet; he is not just a good man.  The prophets spoke of Him.  He fulfilled every prophesy.  He told us himself and He proved it on the third and appointed day.  

Come back next week and we will see what the disciples had to say.

Do you need to be committed (Lesson 3)

What does it take to be totally committed.

Luke 14:33-35 NASB “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.  (34)  "Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?  (35)  "It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

The committed disciple makes the sacrifice.  Take salt for example; Salt is powerful.  It enhances flavor, preserves, cleanses and heals.  If we are a salty disciple, how do we do these things?  We are to have an influence on the people we interact with each day.  If we let our light shine people will know and when people see Christ in us it will affect their lives. 

Salt is an element that does not lose its potency.  However, it can become contaminated.  When this happens, it becomes diluted.  What does this indicate about an unsalty disciple?  You may not be totally committed.

There is a story of the ham and egg breakfast.  The chicken just made a donation but the pig is totally commented.  We as disciples must be totally committed to Christ.