Who is Jesus?

 

I think I posted this a few years ago, but thought it was important to post it again.

I was watching TV one day and ran across the show “Reflections” hosted by Hazem Farraj.  I think he has a DVD with the same name.  Jesus of Nazareth is the most controversial person in all of history.  If you struggle who Jesus is, this should help you find out the truth.  Hazem was a Muslim who converted to Christianity.  He gives a wonderful description of who Jesus really is and I wanted to share this with you.  No one could have said it any better.

Jesus is the son of God. 

He was in the beginning and before that He was.

He knows no boundaries and has no limits.

For all eternity He will be with you.

If you are hungry for righteousness, He will fill you.

He will give you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

He is love.

He is the key to peace.

He is the gateway to heaven.

His promises are free.

His love is endless.

His face is glorious.

His light is overwhelming.

Satan fears Him.

Kings don’t understand Him. 

Christians worship Him. 

Presidents admire Him.

Atheists ignore Him. 

Children are attracted to Him. 

Scientists can’t disqualify Him.

Historians can’t erase Him.

Angels bow down to Him.

No boundaries can measure His infinite love.

His love is powerful.

His mercies are new every morning.

If there is a need, He supplies it.

If there is a wound, He cures it.

If there is a doubt, He destroys it.

If you are lonely, He will be with you.

If there is pain, He relates to you.

If there is brokenness, He will mend you.

If you are a sinner, He will save you.

If you are lost, He will find you.

If you are prideful, He will humble you.

If you are humble, He will exalt you.

If you are young, He will watch over you.

If you are old, He will assist you.

If you weep, He will weep with you.

If you are diligent, He will reward you.

When you laugh, He will laugh with you.

 

He comforts when we are in morning.

He gives strength to the weak.

He saves sinners.

He heals the sick.

He feeds the hungry.

He encourages the discouraged.

He restores sight to the blind.

He heals lepers.

He frees the captives.

He is all knowing, all powerful, all mighty, and self-sufficient.

He is all seeing.

He is all hearing.

He is the greatest miracle in all of history.

He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

This is who Jesus is.  Don’t you want to know Him?

I hope this was encouraging to you.   Join me next time.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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3 John – Following Good Examples

 

This book is the second shortest book in the Bible.  The word truth is mentioned 6 times.  The theme is the importance of hospitality to those working to spread the gospel.  This is a personal letter from John to his friend, Gaius.

3 John 1-4 – As in 2 John, John identifies himself as ‘the elder’ to avoid persecution.  He is writing to commend and encourage his friend, Gaius.  John prays for Gaius’s total well-being.  He wants Gaius to enjoy good health and to continue his good work.  Gaius was a good example of walking in the truth.  To live in the truth means to allow the truth to affect every part of your life.  The truth is that Jesus Christ is Lord.  To live in that truth is to live as God wants you to live.

This is a good model for our prayers.  It’s not unspiritual to pray for physical health.  We ought to pray for spiritual, emotional, and relational health.  There is also another good lesson here.  We should rejoice in seeing others living out the truth and celebrate one another’s progress.

3 John 5-8 – John called Gaius his dear friend and praised his good deeds.  Gaius was true to what he believed and always helped and loved other believers.  Many were travelers on behalf of the church and the church needed to provide for them.  Today we call them missionaries.  They need food, supplies, and places to stay as they travel. 

Churches are to help and support servants of Christ.  When we do, we are joining them as workers of the truth.  We are helping them spread the Gospel.  As they work for the Lord, we are partners with them. 

3 John 9-12 – John warns and condemns the behavior of Diotrephes a dictatorial church leader because he was full of pride, didn’t receive the apostles, and spoke malicious gossip about them.  He was a bad example.  We are not to imitate what is evil, but what is good.  John commends the example of a man named Demetrius who had a good testimony for all.  He recommended him to Gaius.  Demetrius was faithful to the truth and was a good example to follow.

Not everyone in the church is perfect.  There can be those who try to take charge and run everything their own way.  It is usually their pride that gets in the way.  That pride can lead to rebellion, hinder God’s work, be a stumbling block for others, and result in disunity within the fellowship.  If you’ve been a witness to this kind of rebellion, don’t be discouraged.  Remember no one is perfect, only Jesus.  There will always be bad examples and good examples around us.  Look to those who give positive examples.

John ends his letter by saying he has more to say but wants to meet face to face.  He sends greetings and peace from the members of his church.  As Christians, we can and should have a sense of peace even in difficult times.  Jesus is our source of peace.

Key verse:  “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” – 3 John 11.

Principles: 

We are to offer hospitality, support, and encouragement to our fellow believers.

We are to follow the examples of those in line with the Gospel.

I have enjoy studying these writings of 1, 2, 3 John.  I look forward to studying the gospel of John in the fall.   Until then join me throughout the summer for more lessons for encouragement and truth through the Word.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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2 John – Walking In Truth and Love

This book is the shortest book in the Bible.  It is written by the disciple John who calls himself ‘the elder’ in the book.  1 John focuses on our fellowship with God, while 2 John focuses on protecting our fellowship from false teaching.  John used the word truth 37 times in his writings.  The word truth occurs 5 times in this short book; the word love occurs 5 times.  Truth and love are inseparable.  Truth does not change and it’s what binds believers together.

We live in a time when truth is broken, distorted, and when there is actually very little truth around.  Many even deny the existence of any absolute truth.  Romans 1:25 - “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator”.  John says the truth lives in believers of Jesus.  It is truth that makes real love possible even though lying and deception are present in the world.  As Christians, the truth lives in us through the Holy Spirit.

2 John 1-3 – John identifies himself as ‘the elder’ referring himself as a leader of the church.  He writes it to ‘the chosen lady and her children’.  Some think she is a person, but he was probably referring to a church and it’s believers.  It was a time of persecution and maybe he didn’t want to mention himself or a particular person or church by name in order to protect them.  He also writes about her sister in verse 13, which means a sister church where John attended.

2 John 4-6 – He writes he had great joy to find ‘some of your children walking in the truth’.  This tells us that some church members do not walk in the truth.  All believers should examine themselves to be sure they do and say what is true.  To live in truth we must believe in truth.  Jesus is that truth who came to earth as a man.  He was God and has always been God.  He became a man, died for us and rose to life after 3 days.  To live in truth we must be loyal to God and obey God.  To live in truth we must love one another and walk in obedience to His commands.  If we love God, we will love His people.  Love is the test of truth.

2 John 7-11 – John warns about false teachers.  There were those who claimed Jesus didn’t come in the flesh just as there are today.  He calls such persons ‘the deceiver and the antichrist’.  Believers are to watch themselves and have no part in the evil work of such people.  These people oppose the Bible’s message and they are not to be trusted.

If any of these false teachers deny the true doctrine of Jesus, John says we should not give them hospitality.  If you do, you are sharing in their evil work.  This doesn’t mean we can’t have different opinions or that we shouldn’t witness to the unsaved.  It means that those that reject the core message of the gospel are to be avoided.

John seems to write a lot about false teachers.  They were to problem in John’s day and they are a problem today.  There are many deceivers hovering around this world.  They cause Christians to doubt and make their lives hard to live for Jesus.  It’s important to question everything we see, hear, and read that claims to be ‘Christian’ with the Scriptures.  Satan’s greatest weapon is deceit.

2 John 12-13 – John ends his letter by saying he has more to say but wants to meet in person so their joy may be complete.  There is always joy when friends meet together.  John was eager to enjoy their company. 

John’s final verse seems to confirm that the letter was sent from one church to another.  He concludes with a statement, “the children of your chosen sister send greetings” referring to the church members where John was located.  God chose these people because they believed in Jesus.  God has chosen everyone who believes in Jesus.  Every Christian is special to God.

Key verse:  “And this is love:  that we walk in obedience to his commands.” – 2 John 6

Principles: 

Truth and love are what binds believers together.

Show your love for Jesus by obeying the command to love each other and live in obedience to the Scriptures.

Look out for deceivers who do not teach the doctrine of Christ.

Join me next time for the study of 3 John.  Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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