SERIES: Beliefs Under Construction
TITLE: Framework That Lasts
TEXT: John 1: 1-1840: 12-31 (p.886)
“God raised Him (Christ) from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.” (MSG) [Eph.1:20-22]
I. WHO DO MEN SAY HE IS?
“Jesus is my Homeboy”
“The Man Upstairs” to “My Lord and Savior.”
Mormons- just one of God’s many children with Lucifer as a half-brother.
JW- Michael the Archangel
Unitarian- essentially a reincarnation of Mister Rogers
Deepak Chopra- state of consciousness we can all aspire to
Scientology- an implant forced upon a Thetan about a million years ago.
Buddhism- Jesus not God but enlightened man like the Buddha
Hinduism- not only god, but more likely reincarnation of God
Islam- a good man who was a prophet, inferior to Mohammed
II. WHO DOES THE BIBLE SAY HE IS?
“Jesus came to be known, for heaven’s sake, came, to make God known to us. [Heb.1:1-3]
“Jesus came to reveal God to us. He is the defining work of God-on what the heart of God is
is truly like, on what God is up to in the world, and on what God is up to in your life. An
intimate encounter with Jesus is the most transforming experience of human existence…To
be mistaken about Him is the saddest mistake of all.” Eldredge in Beautiful Outlaw
John 1 and some basic truths;
- Verses 1-3- Jesus was already in (existence) when creation occurred.
- “the word was with God”
- “the word was God”
4 things the Bible says about Jesus:
- He is the (Savior).
- He is the (Christ).
- He is (God’s Only Son). John 10:30
- He is our (Lord). “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom.10:9
NEXT WEEK: A Roof Over Our Heads- Matthew 6: 5-15
