The Thread of Life – Part 24 (The Person of God)

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The Thread of Life – 31 Stories that point to Jesus

Part 24

Welcome to Jesus church: Here and Online

We are on part 24 in our series going through the Bible

• And in each part – Genesis to where we are today
  • It’s easy to see the hand of God in each story
  • It’s easy to see the thread of life in Jesus throughout to Bible

Last week we got into the ministry of Jesus

• The main topic of everything Jesus taught and preached
  • Was the Kingdom of God… Matthew sums up in one verse

Matt. 4:17

From that time on Jesus began to preach saying “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”

• And here’s what Jesus is saying…
  • Repent – Change your mind
  • Kingdom of Heaven – he rule & reign & authority of God
  • Has come near – Its right here and available to you
• Jesus taught with His arrival… God’s reign was being established
  • And that kingdom will not be defeated
  • And it will never stop growing
  • It was established in “God with us”… continues in “God thru us”

TAG: Today I wanna take time to look at the person of Jesus… Pray

Story

I heard a story of a man who went to heaven and met Jesus. Jesus was showing him around and brought him to a house that was full of clocks.

But it was strange because all of the clocks were spinning at different speeds and had the names of different people down on earth. He asked why they were all spinning at different speeds and Jesus explained, that the clocks would spin faster depending on how honest that individual was. For instance if someone cheated a lot, their clock would spin faster. Now this man was a huge football fan so naturally he found all the clocks from the great football players that he knew. First he saw Russel Wilsons clock, which was basically standing still because he is such a great guy and would never cheat. Next he saw Aaron Rodgers clock, which was definitely moving faster, as Jesus explained Green Bay was pretty cheap in taking advantage of the rules. As he looked around, he was surprised not to see Tom Brady’s clock. So he asked Jesus, where is Tom Brady’s clock, it should definitely be here. Jesus chuckled and replied, oh ya its actually in my office, I use it as a fan.

We see and sometimes meet extraordinary people all the time

• Some are passionate… smart… athletic… talented… selfless
  • And when we see people like that – We feel inspired
  • Its encouraging to see people that we look up to
• And I think most would agree Jesus would fall into that category
  • 2000 years after his birth… still influencing the world
  • Teachings are foundation to our moral/ethical behavior
  • He cared for the poor & rejected
  • He challenged the system… called out hypocrisy
  • Never settled for an easy life over a missional life
• Jesus is a very inspiring & likable person… but is that all there is
  • Once I was talking to a neighbor… we had a lot in common
  • One day I asked him what he thought about Jesus
  • Answer was: Good person, Great teacher, high morals
• And I took some time to share my thoughts on Jesus
  • That’s what I want to talk about today
  • Because Jesus was much more than just extraordinary
  • He was God

And this question: Who was Jesus – Most important

C.S. Lewis

Based off the life and things Jesus taught, you will have to decide who Jesus is in your own mind. You can either believe that Jesus is a liar, a lunatic, or he is the Lord

But he cannot just be an extraordinary/good person

• Because a person who convinced the world that he is God’s son
  • He is either the greatest con-man of all time
  • He’s delusional
  • Or he is who he says he is… there is no “Good Guy”
• And what you decide about who Jesus is… eternal implications
  • And I want to look at 3 questions Jesus answers about himself
  • And I want to look at 3 locations Jesus went to
  • Pray through that you will meet the real Jesus

Andy Stanley

I can’t force you into a relationship with Jesus… but I can set up the first date”

1. Jesus asks question: Who am I (Caesarea Philippi)

During his ministry… takes disciples to a place they wouldn’t normally go

• It was a destination b/c it was outside of Israel territory
  • Says Jesus took them there to explain what was about to happen
  • Jesus couldn’t pick a better place to ask this question “who am I”
• Caesarea Philippi was to religion what walmart is to shopping
  • It was a melting pot of religion… thought… debate
  • So it was just infested with Idol worship
  • Basically an “anything goes” place [PIC 1 &2]
• So visually think about that… surrounded by these false gods
  • And scripture tells us there is demonic influences behind idols
  • So basically the most spiritually dark place you could find
  • Jesus goes out of his way to bring his disciples there…

And then he asks: Who do people say that I am

• The answers start casual… probably wondering why they’re there
  • They give answers they’ve heard around
  • But Jesus makes it personal… and the disciples can feel it

Matt. 16:15-16 (NIV)

But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

• Notice this answer… Son of the “Living God”
  • Peter’s response is in the midst of a sea of non-living gods
  • And God reveals who Jesus is
  • And this is the statement on which Jesus builds his church
    • That’s why the name “Jesus Church” makes so much sense
• The foundation of the church was built on understanding Jesus…
  • That in Him & through Him alone is life… He is the LIVING GOD
  • In contrast to the other gods demanding our attention in this world
• So Jesus brings life to us in everything we do FOR HIM
  • You will find life in serving in kids church – FOR HIM
  • Ushering/worship team/sound team/set up team – FOR HIM

Jesus response… goes on to say “I’ll give you the keys to kingdom of heaven

• Keys are symbolic for authority… Key to my house gives me authority
  • Before I bought my house – someone else had that key
  • They had authority in that house… but that was transferred
• So Keys to kingdom of heaven… (kingdom is the rule/reign of God)
  • Means believing Jesus is the LIVING GOD
  • Gives us authority to invite people into God’s rule/reign
• Now where is this fulfilled in Peter’s life?
  • Starts with the sermon Peter preaches that we looked at last week
  • Acts 2 – First he invites the Jews… then the gentiles

Now if Jesus is Son of God… calling him a good teacher is a slap in the face

• Not something Jesus would be okay with… he always declared his deity
  • He uses this term “Son of Man” – 80 times
  • Now why does that term declare his deity

Daniel 7:13-14 – In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

So Jesus uses this term to talk about himself constantly

Luke 9:58

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Mark 13:26

At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

Luke 9:22

And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

• And people make claims all the time about who/what they are
  • But how you receive that… based on their credibility
  • Once in church… guy stood up right as service started
  • Claimed he was a prophet – Said the Moon would attack New York
    • We escorted him out and service went on
    • Later Kyle apologized
• People make crazy claims all the time
  • And I’m sure some people thought that about Jesus
  • But the more they watched him… they knew he wasn’t crazy
  • The more people understood Jesus, the more they trusted him
• And Jesus claimed some crazy stuff… find a lot of it in Gospel of John
  • First: Jesus gives us 7 ways he says “I am God”
  • Second: We read of 7 miracles he does that proves it
  • Third: We are given 7 eye witness accounts of proof Jesus is God

TAG: Jesus made a crazy claim on who he was… He wasn’t just a good guy

2. Jesus asks in town of Bethany: Why am I here

There is a story of one of Jesus’ closest friends: Lazarus

• Jesus is out away from Bethany… hears that Lazarus is dying
  • Lazarus’ sisters want Jesus to go heal him right away
  • But Jesus doesn’t go right away
  • In fact Jesus waits 4 days after death – only 2 miles away

Jn. 11:17-21 (NIV)

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

• Lots of frustration towards Jesus from Lazarus’ sisters Mary & Martha
  • Because they were also extremely close to Jesus
  • They followed him… served him… believed in him
  • But Jesus didn’t come when their family needed him most
• Jesus tells them their brother will rise again
  • To which they say “Yes… during the resurrection on the last day”

John 11:25-27

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God, who is to come into the world.

Maybe you know story… main part we remember is “Lazarus come out”

• And that’s very important… but it’s not the most important statement
  • Most important statement is: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
  • Lazarus come out – changed 1 man’s history
  • I am the resurrection – changed mankind’s history
• Jesus is answering the question “WHY AM I HERE”
  • And the answer is so that we can have resurrection & life

In both locations: Tells disciples he’ll be put to death

• Disciples don’t get it..
  • But at same time religious leaders agree Jesus is a threat
• They want him out of the picture… they want to kill him
  • And you know the story – they do kill him
  • And Jesus knew they were looking for him
• But instead of hiding – Jesus goes to Jerusalem where they all are
  • Because He knows what has to happen
  • So that the world could be saved

Mark 10:32-34 (NIV)

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

• Jesus isn’t backing down… why – He knows why he was there

Some of you like to run… I don’t

• Story from the Boston Marathon in 1980: Rosie Ruiees
  • She is known because she cheated
  • She started and took detour
• Miss timed her finish and was too early
  • And they knew what she did was physically impossible
  • Reporter came up & said: You’re either fastest lady ever, or a fraud
  • Jesus is either Gods Son, or a fraud… can’t be a good man

TAG: So Jesus asks… Who am I… Why am I hear

3.But most important question… what is your response

Larry King once asked… if you had 1 question to ask God what would it be

• I’d ask: Did you really have a son, if you did it makes all the difference
  • And it does… Peter makes confession that Jesus is Messiah
  • People all around the world are saying today
    • I believe Jesus is the Messiah, the son of the living God
• That’s the question… Is Jesus your messiah, Son of the living God
  • What is your response
  • If he is – It will change the way you live
  • And you will see fruit of that change in your life

Knew of a pastor who went to Israel… one stop was in Bethlehem

• Bethlehem is unique – Have to trade out bus driver and tour guide
  • The pastor said this new tour guide brought life to everything
  • He was passionate… informative… super engaging
  • Pastor was convinced this guy had to be a Christian
• He asked the guide… and he said “I’ll tell you my story later”
  • So at the end of the day ready to go back to the hotel
    • Asked the guide again… you’ve gotta be a Christian
    • He replied, “No, I’m a Muslim”
    • So the pastor in disbelief asked… so you don’t believe in Jesus
  • He said yes I believe in Jesus – but not the way you believe
    • He was pretending – Wasn’t real… wasn’t personal
    • Had the right answers but the wrong response to Jesus
• And you can be emotional… play the part… know the phrases…
  • None of those mean you believe
  • Your belief in Jesus has to be more than he is a good guy
  • It has to be that He is my LORD and my SAVIOR
    • And his kingdom is established over my life
    • So His authority is established over my life as well

1 Jn. 2:5-6

But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

We must be changed when we give our lives over to Jesus

• Your actions should be different… because your life is not your own
  • Jesus has given you the keys to the kingdom – To enter in
  • But in that Kingdom… He is the king and you are not
  • And that cannot be faked
    • Because your response shows what Kingdom is established in your life