                                                                                                      | |
FOUR SCRIPTURAL VIEWS OF
CHRIST
Introduction:
I. Jesus once raised the question, "What do you think about the
Christ?"
II. In this lesson, we will focus our attention on the Christ.
A. We will consider four (4) different views of Christ as
presented
in the scriptures.
B. Along with the response that each view ought to awaken
within our
own lives.
Body:
I. The view of John 1:1-3, 14.
A. This view pictures Christ as Creator.
1. Colossians 1:16-17 presents
the same view.
2. Must not think that our Lord had His beginning with His birth
of Mary (or
was the first created being like the Jehovah Witness'
teach).
3. He existed before then - eternally with the Father - and He existed
in a powerful
way in that He was the creator of all things.
B. This view of the Christ ought to bring a response
of humility on our part.
1. Scriptures
a. Psalms 8:3-4. (When we look at and think about the wonders
of creation
we must come to the same conclusion that the Palmist said in…
b. Psalms 100:3-4. The attitude that we should have.
c. Romans 9:20.
2. Everytime we come into the
presence of the Lord, we ought to do so as humble creatures of the dust created
and formed by His powerful hand.
II. The view of John 1:29.
A. Here we see Jesus as Savior
of the world.
1. That one who created the world
submitted Himself to be born of a woman,
coming into the
world as a tiny baby, to be fed and cared for by human
hands - Has to be
the most startling fact in all human history - We have
heard it so much
that we tend to take it for granted.
2. Maybe there is a more startling
fact - for after living a life of poverty
and rejection, He
was betrayed by one of His own, they spat in His face,
slapped Him, took a
scourge and whipped Him…etc… Then Roman soldiers drove
spikes through His
hands and feet, and those creatures of the dust crucified
their almighty
creator - and He let them.
3. In fact, it was all according to
the determinate counsel and fore-knowledge
of God.
4. Man had sinned and God in His
infallible sense of justice knew that only the
blood of His Son
could serve as a sufficient atonement for sin - Elaborate on
atonement:
[ATONEMENT (Heb. kaphar, to "cover, cancel"; Gk. katallage,
"exchange,
reconciliation"). (from New Unger's Bible Dictionary) (originally published
by
Moody Press of
Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (C) 1988.) 1. Hebrew and Greek
Words:-- The root
meanings of the Hebrew words, taking them in the order cited
above, are, to
"cover," hence expiate, condone, cancel, placate; to
"offer,"
or "receive a
sin offering," hence, make atonement, appease, propitiate;
"effect
reconciliation," i.e. by some conduct, or course of action. Of the Greek
words
the meanings, in
order, are "to be," or "cause to be, friendly"; "to
render
other," hence
to restore; "to leave" and with preposition to leave off, i.e.
enmity, or evil,
etc; "to render holy," "to set apart for"; hence, of the
Deity,
to appropriate or
accept for Himself. (from International Standard Bible Encylopaedia,
Electronic Database
Copyright (C) 1996 by Biblesoft)]
B. But this view of Christ must awaken obedience
on our part.
1. Hebrews 5:8-9.
2. He died for all, but the salvation
that comes through His blood is conditional.
(Conditional based
on obedience)
3. Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38 - This is the beginning of
a life
of obedience and
faithful service to Him. (Jesus said to teach disciples to observe
all things that I
have commanded you after baptizing them. Matthew 28:20).
4. Can fall from grace. Galatians 5:4; II Peter 2:20.
III. The view of Eph. 1:22-23.
A. This picture views Christ as the
head of His church.
1. Many other terms suggest the same thing. When we speak of Him as King,
Lord, or
Master, these terms
all imply the same thing.
2. For all these terms suggest authority. Matthew 28:18.
3. Jesus Christ has all authority in this world today - He is King of Kings and
Lord
of Lords - His word
reigns supreme.
B. This fact demands of us subjection.
1. A church that recognizes Christ as its head does not do what the majority of
the
members want to do
or what some conference or synod or association hands down.
2. That church does what the Head says.
3. Hard for some to believe that such a loving Savior could be so
demanding, so
severe, as to
expect total subjection - Not hard for me, for I grew up with
parents who loved
me, but expected & demanded total subjection to their authority.
4. John 14:15; 15:14; Luke. 6:46; Matthew 15:8-9 (in vain they worship…).
5. A church that submits itself totally to Christ's authority will be different.
IV. The view of II Corinthians 5:10.
A. In this view, Christ is pictured as
Judge.
1. Acts 17:31.
2. One of these days you will appear before Christ to give an account for
every
unforgiven word,
thought, and deed of your life.
3. You will stand there alone. "Every one".
a. As II Corinthians 5:10 says.
b. Romans 14:10, 12.
B. Such a thought ought to kindle fear in our
hearts.
1. Hebrews 10:31.
2. Fearful because of the possibility of spending eternity in hell.
3. Let every person in this audience who is unprepared to meet God hear this
warning
- [you have been
warned in time past and I am confident you will warned again and
again in the
future] I've told you and if the Lord wills, I will tell you again
and again.
4. Don't want people pointing accusing finger.
C. But we don't have to meet Him in fear, can do so in
confidence.
1. There are those who love His appearing. II Timothy 4:8.
2. I John 4:17.
3. REVIEW THE LESSON.
4. How can we have this confidence? (Remember what we discussed on Jesus being
our
Savior and our
response.)
This sermon is based on a sermon that I heard from Bill Hall preach in
Chattanooga, TN.
Top
of the page
   
|
