Real Questions About Jesus

 

INTRO: Anyone here ever have questions about Jesus? Why did Jesus come to this Earth? What was His mission? What difference does He make in our lives? Etc. ‘s look at a few questions today.

 

Who was Jesus? And Why did they call Him Christ?

 

We see Peter‘s idea – Christ was a title

 

Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

We see Jesus’ answer to a direct question about His identity

 

Mark 14:61-62 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? {62} And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 

We see religious leaders knew that the Christ was to be special

 

He was…

God Sent

God’s Son

God’s perfect sacrifice for us

 

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

Why did Jesus come?

 

His great love for us

For our benefit

Obedience to God’s plan

 

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

What are we saved from?

 

Penalty of sin

 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

A life of separation from God

 

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

 

A sinful life

 

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

 

Do we have to be saved?

 

No – it is our choice to make

You can just say no

You can wait and take a chance you will wait too long

You can say YES

 

Ok, if I want to be saved, what are my choices?

 

One choice – Jesus

John 4:14-15 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. {15} The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

Ok, I believe Jesus is the answer, what do I need to do now?

 

Acknowledge Him as God’s son, our sacrifice, our savior, our only hope

Ask Him to forgive you of your sins

Believe He is who He said He is – God’s Son

Believe He can forgive your sins

Confess Him as you Savior

Cherish His forgiveness and serve Him

 

Okay, I have done these things, what now?

 

Be the best Christian you can be for Christ

 

Read God’s Word – we are working our way through the bible - 1 John a good start for new believers

Worship God  - in a church; all the time

Talk to God – we call this prayer

Seek a closeness to God that pleases Him – watch our for sin

Find a friend who loves God who will help you and advise you about life in the Lord

 

Okay, If I do these things will all my problems go away?

 

No

Satan will fight you, try to hurt you, try to deceive you, etc.

There will be residual effects of sin

[share illustration about the snow plow and man crossing the street]

 

 

Okay, what if I mess up?

 

Seek God’s forgiveness through Jesus – it is there

 

1 John 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; {2} (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) {3} That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. {4} And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. {5} This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. {6} If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: {7} But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. {8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

1 John 2:1-3 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation [the making amends] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. {3} And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

 

 

Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 030908am