Category: Jesus
Subject: Jesus
Sermon: Jesus – Our Trailblazer
All of the things that God requires of us, Jesus did first. He leads the way, He is our trailblazer. He blazed the trail of:
* Obedience
* Sacrifice
* Love
* Forgiveness
* Resisting Temptation
Sermon: Great is the Mystery of Godliness
The sermon is a discussion of the great mystery discusssed by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:16.
Advocacy & Propitiation
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
John’s words reveal two different (though connected) blessings we have as believers in Jesus Christ. And, as we will later emphasize, these blessings are only available to those who are believers in Him (cf. John 14:6). Having said that, the terms used by John are challenging, and need to be explained to those who are not familiar with the language of scripture.
Invitation: Salvation by the Hem of His Garment
Invitation delivered by: Brantley Gallman
In Luke 8:43-48, the account of divine healing of a woman teaches us a wonderful lesson concerning the Power of Jesus. First to heal, but also to save the souls of men!
Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 2:1-6
Our text describes a group of men called “magi,” or wise men, from the east who had observed astronomically a sign which led them to believe the King of the Jews had been born. We can only speculate concerning the nature of that star. It is evident that the sign convinced both these wise men and Herod the Great that the promised Messiah had come.
Herod was a usurper of the throne of Judah, and no doubt this event caused him great anxiety. He was “troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” (3). This was the first, but not the last time that the Savior would experience the opposition of men who were more concerned with their status than with the truth.
The place of Jesus’ birth was predicted by Micah (5:2). It was Bethlehem of Judea, the home town of Jesus’ earthly father Joseph. Herod’s inquiry of the scribes was for the purpose of locating and killing the child he perceived to be his rival (cf. 2:13).
Mining the Scriptures: Revelation 4:1-8
In his salutation to the seven churches of Asia, identified by name in chapters 2 & 3, he pronounces blessings upon them from the Father “Him who is and who was and who is to come”, the Holy Spirit “the seven Spirits who are before His throne”, and the Son “the firstborn from the dead.”
(Note: some believe the phrase “seven Spirits” refers to the spirits of the seven churches, but it seems the context is referring to each person of the Godhead, in turn. As such, the number seven would have symbolic significance as a reference to the Holy Spirit).
Regardless, John affirms Jesus as our Lord and Savior (6), and promises His second coming (7). The central theme of the book is our victory through the power of God. He is the “Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End… who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty” (8).
The Gospel of Mark (Witness of the Christ)
The first three gospels are known as synoptic. The term is defined: “of or forming a general outline or synopsis.” Each of these gospels contain a generally chronological snapshot of the life of our Lord. They are not exhaustive. Though similar, they are written from different perspectives. As would be expected, they emphasize different aspects of Jesus’ life, ministry and teaching.
It would be improper to refer to the gospels as either biographies or histories, though there are elements of each in all four of the books. Too often the works are criticized because they do not make a formal and verifiable effort to document the life of the Lord. Such attacks are unfair in imposing modern standards upon ancient writings, and in failing to recognize the theological motivations of the writers. As John wrote in John 20:30-31, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Continue reading “The Gospel of Mark (Witness of the Christ)”
The Necessity of Sacrifice
Sacrifice, either metaphorical or literal, is a common component of most of the world’s religions. While some may believe the practice of sacrifice, (especially blood sacrifice), to be of human origin, the Bible reveals otherwise.
The first example of blood sacrifice was offered by Abel, as recorded in Genesis 4. Cain offered a grain sacrifice to God, but Abel offered the firstborn of his flock (vs. 4). God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, as the Hebrew writer stated, because it was offered by faith (cf. Hebrews 11:4). This means that Abel was following the directions of God, Who had commanded the animal sacrifice he offered.
The Seed of Woman
The apostle Paul affirmed to the Ephesians that God’s plan of salvation for man was devised long before he walked on the earth. Paul wrote, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
Since this is so, it is not surprising that there are indications given of that plan early in man’s history. Shortly after the fall of man, as God related the consequence of the sin committed, he said to the tempter (in serpent form), “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:14-15). While the animosity between man and snake is evident, as is the reality of their legless existence, Bible students understand the greatest significance is spiritual, derived from the words found in verse 15. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise heel.” Notice that the references to the Seed of woman, both in the designation and the pronouns that accompany it, are all capitalized. That is because the translators (NKJ) recognize this to be a Messianic prophecy, shadowing the, at that time, future battle between Satan and Jesus Christ.
Sermon: What is the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Too many are quick to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior, but have no real understanding of what it means to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord. This lesson seeks to explain the importance of such an action.
Sermon: Jesus’ Walk on the Water
The sermon discusses the text of Matthew 14:22-33, and lessons learned (such as the power of faith, and the worthiness of Jesus as Lord and object of our worship).
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 1:7-10
Verse 7 is a wonderful, concise statement revealing the way God redeemed man. It is through the blood of Jesus. As the perfect sacrifice, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, that we might not die for our transgressions. This gift of the Son is the extension of God’s grace to man.
This gift granted is the result of God’s wisdom and prudence. The word prudence is defined by Strong as “intellectual or moral insight.” The problem of sin is a difficult one, solved only by Divine wisdom and action. We can’t save ourselves. Salvation comes from God’s wise and prudent gift of his Son Jesus.
Jesus’ sacrifice is the culmination of God’s scheme of redemption. He came in the “fullness of time.” God determined to save man at that time, in that way.
Jesus’ sacrifice is for all men. In Christ, “all things” are gathered together. There is no distinction between in race or gender. All are eligible for salvation — “In Him.”
Invitation: Jesus, the Perfect Example
Invitation delivered by: Chad Gallman
Chad points out that if we want to be saved, we can not do our own thing. Instead, we should imitate Jesus Christ, who, though He was the Son of God, did not do His own will, but the will of His Father.
Sermon: The Prayer Life of Jesus
Every aspect of Jesus’ character, life and habits are worth imitating. One aspect of His life we can learn from is His practice of praying to His heavenly Father. The lesson examines those habits, and makes proper applications.
