CH 8: JESUS IS…THE WORD

How can the Word become flesh?  I asked God as a serious Christian who had just re-dedicated my life to God.  Ever since that time, I became serious in studying God’s Word.  It was the first time I dug deeply into His Word.  As I read John 1:14, God helped me to see that the Word is another name for Jesus.  Jesus fulfilled the law and was without sin.  The Bible declares the Lordship of Christ from front to back.  As the Word, Jesus helps us to understand through the Holy Spirit.

MEMORY VERSE

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Word…

“‘The Personal Word,’ a title of the Son of God…His distinct and superfinite Personality…His relation in the Godhead…His deity…the reality and totality of His human nature, and His glory” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

Jesus is indeed the Word.  The Old Testament is filled with prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  The Gospels record the accounts of Jesus while here on earth.  The remaining New Testament describes the words inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It is indeed God-breathed.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3, NIV).

Read John 1:1-3.  Who was in the beginning?

Who was with God?

Who was God?

Who was with God in the beginning?

Who made all things?

Jesus was with God in the beginning of time.  Jesus is the Word.  Jesus made all things.  Jesus is the Son of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?  The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.  Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work” (John 14:10, NIV).

Read John 14:10. Who is in the Father?

Who is in Christ?

Who does not speak on His own authority?

Who lives in Jesus?

Who is doing Christ’s work?

Jesus and the Father are one, as part of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  While on earth, Jesus relied only upon the authority of His Father.  Jesus did His work relying upon God Who was guiding and directing His steps.

“For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.  They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me” (John 17:8, NIV).

Read John 17:8. Who did Jesus give the words His Father gave me?

What did the disciples do with these words?

What did the disciples do with certainty?

What did the disciples believe?

This verse is part of the prayer Jesus gave for His disciples.  Jesus wanted the Father to bless and protect them from the evil one.  The disciples believed in Jesus and wanted to further the Kingdom of God.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Jesus was the Word made flesh.  In the flesh, He depended upon the Father in all He did.  He came in the flesh to die for our sins as a perfect sacrifice.  He took the place of us in dying for our sins. 

Name the time when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

What did you experience at this time?

How do you view Jesus?

How do you see Him as the Word made flesh?

What is your favorite Bible verse concerning Jesus?

Jesus came to set us free from sin and death.  We have a priceless treasure in the Word of God.  We can see throughout the Bible how Jesus is proclaimed.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins.  Thank You for Your Word which describes Jesus through it all.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.  C.H. Spurgeon

Take hold of Jesus as a man and you will discover that he is GOd.  Martin Luther

In Christ Jesus heaven meets earth and earth ascends to heaven.  Henry Law

Miss Christ and you miss all.  Thomas Brooks

Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.  Augustine of Hippo

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CH 7: JESUS IS…KING OF KINGS

During my teenage years, I was far away from God.  I was mad at God.  I thought that I knew it all.  I felt superior to others.  It was only when I was humbled by having to take a semester off from graduate school that I turned back to God.  God illuminated my mind as I studied His Word.  Although I did not understand Revelation, I found great comfort in knowing Jesus as King of kings.  I submitted to God and His will for my life as I saw Jesus as my Lord.

MEMORY VERSE

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (Revelation 17:14, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

King…

“Christ as…the King in judging nations and men at the establishment of the millennial kingdom…eternal, incorruptible” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

There are kings of the world.  However, they are here for only a short time.  Kings will come and go.  However, we have an eternal King – Jesus Christ.  He will be King for eternity.

“‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’” (John 8:58, NIV).

Read John 8:58. How did Jesus tell them?

Who was Jesus before?

What proclamation did Jesus use to describe Himself?

Jesus spoke the truth as He said, “Very truly I tell you.”  The Jews believed they were all right with being descendants of Abraham.  However, Jesus let them know that He was eternal and was before Abraham.  Jesus was King of kings.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10, NIV).

Read Philippians 2:9-10.  What did God exalt Jesus to?

What was the name of Jesus?

What will everyone do at the name of Jesus?

Where will this happen?

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  As I remember these words from a hymn, I live in awe of my Savior and King.  Every knee will indeed bow in the future as God has exalted Jesus to the highest place.

“To keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:14-15, NIV).

Read 1 Timothy 6:14-15.  How are we to keep His commands?

Until what time?

How is God described?

God is described as King of kings and Lord of lords.  As Jesus is God in flesh, these attributes describe Jesus as well.  We need to worship and adore our Savior and King.

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.  For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11, NIV).

Read 2 Peter 1:10-11.  What should we make every effort to do?

What will we never do if we do these things?

What will we receive?

How is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus described?

Jesus has an eternal Kingdom of Heaven.  He is indeed King of kings.  God gives us a calling to finish while still on earth.  We must obey God and revere Jesus as the King of kings.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

We look at today’s leaders and become dismayed by the corruption.  However, we have a King without sin who died on the cross for our sins.  In Revelation, Jesus is described about how He will be revered.  “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16, NIV).

How do you view Jesus?

Has there been a time in your walk where you strayed?

How did this affect your life?

How did you return to Christ and put Him first place as King of kings?

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NIV).  Jesus existed with God from the beginning as part of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Jesus became flesh and died for our sins so that we could have eternal life in Heaven.  We can worship and adore Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins.  May I always worship Jesus as Lord of lords.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.  Augustine of Hippo

There is not an inch of any sphere of life over which Jesus Christ does not say, “Mine.”  Abraham Kuyper

For every look at self take ten looks at Christ.  Robert Murray M’Cheyne

The seed is choked in our souls whenever Christ is not our all in all.  C.H. Spurgeon

Many are willing that Christ should be something, but few will consent that Christ should be everything.  Alexander Moody Stuart

CH 6: JESUS IS…TEACHER

I took great pride in my academic accomplishments, especially getting a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy.  I would finally be making a lot of money.  However, that all changed when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  I had to go on disability and give up my occupational therapy career.  I was devastated.  However, I cried out to God for help.  God helped me to see that I had a passion for learning and diverted my passion for earthly knowledge to knowledge of His Word.  I was introduced to Jesus as my Teacher through the Holy Spirit.  My passion for knowledge of His Word grew as God called me into a writing ministry for His glory.  I was called to write, teach, speak and counsel according to God’s Word.  I thanked God for Jesus being my teacher of His Word.

MEMORY VERSE

“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Teacher…

To teach is “to provide a person with knowledge, insight” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary).  It is “to instruct by precept, example, or experience” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).  It is “a teacher of what is good” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

In God’s Word, we study forever His precious precepts.  We can thank God that we have a guide to teach us what to do in any situation through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus teaches us the way we should go as our Teacher.

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them” (Matthew 5:1-2, NIV).

Read Matthew 5:1-2.  What did Jesus see?

Where did He go?

What did He do when His disciples came to Him?

Jesus desired for His followers to understand His teaching.  He used lessons which they could live by.  We have the precious Word of God which holds the teaching of Jesus.

“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.  So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:  ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world’” (Matthew 13:34-35, NIV).

Read Matthew 13:34-35.  How did Jesus speak to the crowds?

What did He not say anything to them except this?

What was fulfilled through the prophet?

Jesus spoke through parables to teach His followers.  He used simple teaching to drive home the point He was making.  Through this, Jesus fulfilled the prophet’s words that He spoke in parables.

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.  When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1, NIV).

Read Luke 11:1. What was Jesus doing?

What was the request of one of His disciples?

What did he compare his request to?

The disciples observed Jesus going to solitary places to pray.  Through this, they learned the importance of prayer.  After this verse, Jesus answered the disciple’s request through what we call the Lord’s prayer.

“Jesus replied, ‘All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you’” (John 14:25-26, NIV).

Read John 14:25-26.  What did Jesus do while still with the disciples?

Who is the Advocate?

In Whose name with the Father send the Holy Spirit?

What will the Holy Spirit do?

The Holy Spirit reminds us of all things that Jesus taught in His Word.  We can praise God for giving us an advocate which will illuminate Scriptures for us to understand them.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Jesus was indeed our Teacher.  He taught parables to His disciples for them to understand.  In the same way, He teaches us through His Word as we meditate on His parables.

Name a time when you were confused.

How did you reach out to God?

What Scripture spoke to you during this time?

How did Jesus teach you His precepts found in His Word?

How did the Holy Spirit illuminate your mind to understand His Word?

How did you praise Jesus for ridding you of your confusion?

Jesus is the Teacher of His Word.  We will understand His parables which He spoke in the New Testament through the Holy Spirit.  We can praise God for giving us His Word so that we no longer have to be confused about what to do.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Teacher, Jesus Christ.  Thank You for sending Him to die for our sins as well as teaching in parables so that we can understand.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him to find it within himself.  Galileo

The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has his spirit will find in it a hidden manna.  Thomas a Kempis

CH 5: JESUS IS…THE GOOD SHEPHERD

It was the dark time after my first manic episode.  I felt bewildered at my actions.  Although I did not have control over my actions, I was still held accountable for my actions.  I remember standing in line at the grocery store to pay the overdraft fee for writing a check with no money left in the bank.  I had given all of my money in the bank to a homeless man.  During this time, I felt lost and alone.  However, God did not leave me.  God introduced me to Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  I felt comforted and strengthened as I meditated upon the Word about this Good Shepherd.

MEMORY VERSE

“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Shepherd…

To shepherd is “to tend, herd, guard, or lead as or like a shepherd” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary).  It is “to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).  It is “a chief shepherd…is said of Christ only” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  He laid down His life for us in the same way a shepherd will risk his life to save sheep.  Jesus looks intently after us to make sure we are safe.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1, NIV).

Read Psalm 23:1. Who does David say is his shepherd?

What does David lack?

A shepherd takes care of his sheep.  They lack nothing because, although they are unable to take care of themselves, the shepherd provides for their daily needs and protection.  In the same way, Jesus provides for our every need and protects us from harm when we cry out to Him.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36, NIV).

Read Matthew 9:36. What did Jesus see?

How did He react to the crowds?

How are the crowds described in this verse?

What were the crowds like?

Sheep without a shepherd – so many times this can describe us as Christians.  We may feel helpless and lost and alone.  However, Jesus intercedes on our behalf to the Father.  We can cry out to Him and He will help us.

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep’” (John 10:4, 7, NIV).

Read John 10:4, 7.  Where does the shepherd go?

What do the sheep do?

Why do they do this?

How does Jesus describe Himself?

As sheep know the voice of the shepherd, we can know the voice of Jesus and follow Him.  We may not hear audibly but within our spirits.  In this way, we can find direction, guidance and comfort from Christ.

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen’” (Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV).

Read Hebrews 13:20-21.  How did God described?

Who was brought back from the dead?

How is Jesus described?

What does He equip us to do?

What does He work in us?

Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep.  Normally, sheep will go astray if they have no shepherd.  In the same way, we can go astray unless we listen intently for His voice to guide and direct us.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25, NIV).  We can indeed go astray in our lives if we follow the ways of the world.  However, we can return to Christ as the Good Shepherd.

Name a time when you felt lost and alone.

How did you cry out to God through Jesus?

What did you hear in your spirit?

How did this comfort you?

How did this guide and direct your steps?

Jesus guides along the narrow path.  The world’s path is wide and leads to destruction.  However, when we choose the narrow path with Jesus as our Great Shepherd, we will find peace in our everyday lives.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to always follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Help me to hear His voice in my spirit to guide and direct my steps to a fruitful life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ.  Blaise Pascal

Remember, sinner, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you – it is Christ.  C.H. Spurgeon

Jesus Christ turns life right-side-up, and heaven outside-in.  Carl F.H. Henry

Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet.  Matthew Henry

Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin and decay.  But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.  C.S. Lewis

CH 4: JESUS IS…LAMB OF GOD

“Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  I heard the pastor say during my teen years.  I was away from God at this time.  As I heard this statement, I thought I was the exception.  I felt unworthy to have my sins forgiven.  I felt so dirty because of the shame I experienced due to the sexual abuse I endured as a child.  However, at the age of 25, I returned to God.  He accepted me with open arms.  I learned that Jesus did indeed take away my sins as the Lamb of God.

MEMORY VERSE

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Lamb…

“Christ as the Lamb of God, the symbolism having reference to His character and His vicarious Sacrifice, as the basis both of redemption and of divine vengeance” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

Jesus is sinless as He was given life in Mary by the Holy Spirit.  Being sinless, He could die for our sins.  Jesus was the perfect sacrifice.  He took away our sins as we repent and accept Him as Lord and Savior.

“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7, NIV).

Read Isaiah 53:7. What two things describe Jesus?

What did He not do?

How was He led?

How are sheep described?

Again, what did He not do?

In this Old Testament prophecy, it describes the purpose of Jesus coming to earth as a Lamb of God.  When He was on the cross, He was silent in response to the jeers and torment.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV).

Read 1 Peter 1:18-19.  How were we not redeemed?

How is our way of life described?

Who did we get an empty way of life?

How were we redeemed?

How is Jesus as the Lamb of God described?

Jesus is indeed a lamb without blemish or defect.  Before we accept Christ, we do have an empty way of life.  When we accept Jesus, we are made alive in Christ.

“In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:12, NIV).

Read Revelation 5:12. What were the angels saying concerning Christ?

What seven things is Christ worthy of?

Worthy is the Lamb of God.  He indeed deserves all of our worship and praise.  We can praise Him in thanksgiving for all that He has done for us.  He died for our sins.  This is worthy of all of our praise.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

“And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’” (Revelation 7:10, NIV).  God and the Lamb gave us our salvation through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.  As the Lamb of God, He is worthy of our praise.

Describe your salvation.

How did you feel?

How do you see Jesus as the Lamb of God?

Take time to praise Jesus for dying for our sins.

Worthy is the Lamb of God.  Jesus obeyed the Father completely and lived a sinless life.  In response, we can glorify His name above every name.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins.  He indeed is the Lamb of God without blemish.  Help me to live a life of purity and grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

The precious Lamb of God gave up his precious fleece for us.  Christopher Nesse

The name of Jesus is in my mind as a joyful song, in my ear a heavenly music, and in my mouth sweet honey.  Richard Rolle

Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ.  Blaise Pascal

Remember, sinner, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you – it is Christ.  C.H. Spurgeon

Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet.  Matthew Henry

CH 3: JESUS IS…LORD

“God, did anything good come out of this?”  I cried out to God after my first manic episode where I made foolish decisions.  In response, God reminded me of the two people that I led to Christ.  He also reminded me of the decision I made to be baptized as an adult.  Although baptized as an infant, I realized the need to be baptized.  During the baptism, I made Jesus Christ Lord of my life.  I had accepted Him as Savior when I was 8.  However, I did my own thing for many years.  However, after the baptism, I looked to Jesus as Lord.  I thanked God for reminding me of how He can bring good out of anything, including a manic episode.

MEMORY VERSE

“And every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:ll, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Lord…

Lord is “God…Jesus Christ” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary).  It is “one having power and authority over others…God…Jesus” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).  “From the outset of His ministry this was a common form of address to the Lord Jesus, alike by the people…and by His disciples” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

Like myself, we may have accepted Jesus as our Savior.  We believed He died for our sins.  However, we may still have desired to do our own thing.  We can turn to Christ and surrender all things.  This will make Him first place in our lives as we declare Him Lord over our lives.

“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:17-18, NIV).

Read Matthew 28:17-18.  What did the eleven disciples do when they saw Jesus?

What did some do?

What has been given to Jesus?

Doubt can still creep into our minds from time to time.  This can lead to anxiety.  However, when we realize that Christ has all authority, we can turn to Him for His security and peace.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him’” (John 14:6-7, NIV).

Read John 14:6-7.  By what three things does Jesus describe Himself?

How does one come to the Father?

How does one know the Father?

Jesus is indeed the way and the truth and the life.  We can rest secure in knowing that we also know the Father by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  We can find His peace that passes all understanding when we make Jesus Lord of our lives.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:9, 13, NIV).

Read Romans 10:9, 13.  What do we need to declare with our mouth to be saved?

What do we need to believe in our heart?

Who will be saved?

Jesus is indeed Lord of our lives.  When we declare this and believe it in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.  We will be set free from sin and death.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV).  We come to Jesus by faith.  He becomes our Savior.  It may be later that we truly surrender all that we are and make Him Lord of our lives.

Describe the time when you accepted Christ as your Savior.

What age were you?

How did you feel?

What age did you make Him Lord of your life?

How did this strengthen your relationship with God?

Jesus Christ is indeed Lord over all things.  We can worship and adore Him for all that He has done for us, including dying for our sins.  We can praise His holy name for His presence in our lives as we make Him Lord over all our lives.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins.  As I have accepted Him as Savior, I have chosen to make Him Lord over my life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

He values not Christ at all who does not value Christ above all.  Augustine of Hippo

The Lord who vacated his tomb has not vacated his throne.  G.R. Beasley-Murray

Christ is either both Savior and Lord, or he is neither Savior nor Lord.  John R. Dewitt

Seek Christ, and you will find him, and with him everything else thrown in.  C.S. Lewis

Christ is either Lord of all or he is not Lord at all.  J. Hudson Taylor

CH 2: JESUS IS…SAVIOR

In my early childhood, I grew up anxious and bewildered.  I felt as if everything was going out of control due to my brother’s alcoholic tirades.  That all changed when I was eight.  I was invited to vacation Bible school by my neighbor who was a pastor at the church.  I accepted Christ as my Savior on that day and was never the same.  I remember from that point onward that I sensed a feeling of freedom.  I remember praying to God for Him to get my brother to quit drinking.  As an adult, I realized that He gave my brother free will as he continued on his downward spiral which eventually led to his suicide when I was twelve.  However, the gift of salvation God gave me would give me the strength to persevere through those tumultuous years.

MEMORY VERSE

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).

WHAT’S IN A WORD?

Savior…

Savior is “a person who saves…Jesus Christ” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary).  He is “one who brings salvation…Jesus” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).  He is “our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

HIDDEN GEMS

When we accept Jesus into our lives, something happens deep within.  The old has gone, the new has come.  We can praise the Lord for dying for our sins and setting us free from bondage and the grips of death.  We are alive in Christ.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NIV).

Read Acts 4:12. Where is salvation found?

Who is the name who saves?

Salvation is found in Christ alone.  It is in the name of Jesus that we are set free.  We find new life in Christ.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NIV).

Read Romans 6:23. What are the wages of sin?

What is the gift of God?

Who is this found in?

Eternal life is found in Christ Jesus.  All those who do not accept Jesus will have to face the wages of sin.  However, as Christ’s followers, we are set free from the wages of sin and receive eternal life.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2, NIV).

Read Romans 8:1-2.  What is none found in Christ Jesus?

By the law of Whom gives life?

What has it set us free from?

When Jesus died on the cross, the Holy Spirit came to dwell with believers.  What a precious gift!  We are set free from the law of sin and death by the Holy Spirit as we receive eternal life.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV).

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. How is Jesus described?

What did Jesus do for us?

What did we become as a result?

Christ became sin for us so that we could have a personal relationship with God.  We are set free from the bondage of sin.  We become the righteousness of God in Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

Read Ephesians 2:8-9. By what are we saved?

Through what are we saved?

What is salvation not from?

Why is this so?

Salvation is a priceless gift of God.  We can praise His name for the wonderful grace and forgiveness that He gives to us through faith.  It is not my anything that we do because we would then boast.  We can remain humble as we live in gratitude to the Father’s gift of salvation.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”(Galatians 3:26, NIV).  When we accept Jesus as our Savior, it is by faith.  We are then accepted as God’s own children.

Describe the time you accepted Christ as Savior.

How did you experience the freedom?

How did you respond?

How did you feel?

How did this draw you to the Word of God?

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we will be drawn to the Word of God.  The Holy Spirit will enlighten our minds to understand the Scriptures.  We can praise God for the priceless gift of Jesus dying for our sins and setting us free from the law of sin and death.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins.  I praise You for giving me the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my steps and to understand Your Word.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

Salvation comes through a cross and a crucified Christ.  Andrew Murray

Salvation consists wholly in being saved from ourselves, or that which we are by nature.  Andrew Murray

To follow the Savior is to participate in salvation, to follow the light is to perceive the light.  Irenaeus

Salvation is God’s way of making us real people.  Augustine of Hippo

Fight to escape from your own cleverness.  If you do, then you will find salvation and uprightness through Jesus Christ our Lord.  John Climacus

CHAPTER 1: JESUS IS…SON OF GOD

As a child, I remember growing up with nothing focused on Jesus.  All I remember was I saw God as an angry God ready to strike me down every time I sinned.  I do not remember singing any children’s song about Jesus.  However, that all changed when I was eight years old.  The next-door neighbor invited me to vacation Bible school.  I heard the beautiful words of “Jesus Loves Me” for the first time.  I wanted this Jesus and accepted Him as Savior.  I was so excited to tell my parents.  However, my mother was horrified and told me that I did not need that because I was baptized.  I also thought that I had sinned and that God was mad with me.  However, that precious song, “Jesus Loves Me,” was stamped upon my heart and I knew deep within that Jesus loved me and that He was the Son of God.

MEMORY VERSE

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NIV).

HIDDEN GEMS

On this earth, Jesus was fully God and fully human.  He is the Son of God.  Jesus is part of the trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  As a human, Jesus lived on this earth and faced the trials that we faced.  As the Son of God, He empathizes with us as we face our trials.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).

Read Isaiah 9:6. Who is born?

Who is given?

What will be on His shoulders?

What are the names of Jesus given in this passage?

What wonderful ways to describe Jesus, Son of God.  Although He came to this earth as a babe in a manger, He will return for His Bride as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  We can praise God for taking our sins upon Him on the cross and dying and rising again victorious over death.

“And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:32-33, NIV).

Read Matthew 14:32-33.  What happened when Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat?

What did those in the boat do as a result?

What did they proclaim?

Jesus is indeed the Son of God.  On this earth, He did many miracles.  Some only wanted Jesus for what they could get from Him and nothing else.  However, others proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God and accepted forgiveness for their sins.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6, NIV).

Read John 14:6. How did Jesus describe Himself?

How does one come to the Father?

Jesus is the only way to the Father.  He is indeed the way, the truth and the life.  We can praise God for sending us His Son to die for our sins.

“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31, NIV).

Read John 20:30-31. What did Jesus perform?

What are they not in?

Why are the signs written?

How did Jesus described?

What will we have in His name?

We will indeed find freedom from sins through Jesus, the Son of God.  This will give us life.  We will be filled to overflowing as we realize how Jesus came that we may believe.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30, NIV).  The religious leaders were furious when Jesus proclaimed that He and the Father are one.  They thought it was blasphemy.  However, Jesus is indeed one with the Father. 

How did you view Jesus growing up?

Did you see Him as the Son of God?

How did you view God growing up?

How did you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

What changed as you grew into adulthood?

How has Christ coming as man comforted you when you underwent trials?

Jesus is the Son of God.  He is part of the trinity.  We can worship Christ for all He has done for us.  He and the Father are indeed one.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins.  I worship and adore Him for all that He is, including the Son of God.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

If ever man was God or God man, Jesus Christ was both.  Lord Byron

Christ has transformed all our sunsets into dawn.  Clement of Alexandria

Christ is the pure Seal of the Father and His most unerring Impress.  Gregory the Theologian

But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.  C.S. Lewis

The Son is a concise demonstration and easy setting forth of the Father’s Nature.  Gregory of Nazianzus