Introduction

Day 1

JESUS

John 10:10

Sermon

FOCAL POINT Jesus / Abundant Life

Small Groups

Bridge

Ask the congregation to form groups of three or four.

2. Say: Think for a minute about interesting, positive facts about yourself—two that you think your friends and family know about you and one that you wish everyone knew about you.

Introduction

Many of you have grown up hearing the story of Jesus and who He is, but how much do you really know about Him? Who is this Man who gave up His life so we could live? Today/Tonight we will investigate who He is and what that means for us.

Message
“God is love.” So says the apostle John in 1 John 4:16. The Bible also tells us that Jesus is God: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Later in the same chapter, we read that “the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Followers of Christ believe that Jesus is the Word and the Word is God, so we can conclude that Jesus is God. God is love, so Jesus, too, is love. Those who have a relationship with Jesus claim to know this for sure.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 reads, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Because Jesus is love, let’s read the text this way to better understand who He is: “Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus doesn’t not envy, Jesus does not boast, Jesus is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others, Jesus is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”

This passage gives a clear picture of Jesus’ remarkable true identity.

In the chapter entitled, “As a Child,” in the book Desire of Ages, Ellen White describes Jesus' younger years: “The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God. While He was a child, He thought and spoke as a child; but no trace of sin marred the image of God within Him. Yet He was not exempt from temptation. The inhabitants of Nazareth were proverbial for their wickedness. The low estimate in which they were generally held is shown by Nathanael's question, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46). Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that He might be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood."

Doesn’t this make you want to know Jesus?

Long ago, heaven witnessed a challenge to Jesus’ genuine character. Dissatisfied with his role in heaven, Lucifer led a rebellion, questioning God’s authority and His love for all of Creation. Although heaven operated under God’s law of perfect love, God was unwilling to force His perfect love on any of His creations. The Bible tells us that we cannot love out of fear: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Lucifer had a choice between God’s selfless love and his own selfishness, and he chose to challenge God’s law and character of love.

Satan’s sole desire is to replace God on His throne. Isaiah 14:13, 14 records Lucifer as saying, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recess of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will make myself like the Most High.” Lucifer wants to have God’s power, but not His character. This struggle between God and Satan is described as a war in Revelation 12:7-9. “There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…and his angels…and they lost their place in heaven…. The great dragon was hurled down…Satan, who leads the whole world astray.”

Adam and Eve, under the law of perfect love and free will, were given the choice in whom to believe: God or Satan. Unfortunately, because they chose Satan’s way, our world is now stained with the curse of sin and the misery sin brings. But God gives us hope. 1 Corinthians 15:22 states that while one man’s life got the human race into sin, through another man’s life—Jesus’—we can be saved from sin. Jesus came to this world not only to save us, but also to demonstrate His true identity once and for all. Time and time again, God has proven Himself to be “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). Jesus is mighty, glorious, and majestic beyond all human understanding. Even more difficult to comprehend are the depths of His love and compassion.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 849