Category Jesus

Who is Jesus

The Preacher 1 Comment

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”    (John 14:6).

Years ago, we were driving home from worship. We had a young relative with us and he asked, “Who is Jesus?”

His question broke our hearts. While he was not under our care, we felt a responsibility toward him and our other relatives.

I’m not surprised anymore if a person has this question. In reality, most of the people who claim to believe in Jesus do not know the Jesus of the Bible. They only know a different Jesus.

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4).

Who is Jesus?

One person posted to social media that Jesus is…

  • Joy Giver,
  • Eternal life Giver,
  • Strength Giver,
  • Unconditional Lover,
  • Sins forgiver.

They posted this without any scripture references, which is typical. Here’s a little homework: is the above true? If so, how would we know?

This got me to thinking about our own study about Jesus. The scriptures say, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25). While one bulletin article is insufficient to fully answer the question, I’ll give just a sampling about who is Jesus.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14). I was talking to someone and they asked if one could be saved in a religion that doesn’t believe in Jesus. I asked what this verse meant; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). He said that Jesus is the only way to God. Only Jesus is the Savior of the world.

Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16).

This is a hugely comforting quality. It points to the fact that Jesus walked this earth and experienced the pain and suffering common to all. He hungered, He wept, He thirsted, He was alone. He knows what we’re going through, and He Understands.

Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).

The demon world acknowledged this truth, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time (Matt 8:29; Mark 3:11)?

This understanding is essential. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Jesus, as the Son of God, is God. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

There are two more qualities of Jesus I’d like to share next week.

The Jesus of the Bible, the Savior, The Understanding Son of God is amazing. He’s more than we can even imagine, but He is not a figment of our imagination. We need to be careful to make Him into something He’s not by overlooking the whole council of God. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2Cor 9:15)

–Spencer

Will you LOVE His APPEARING?

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“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”                  (2Timothy 4:8).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

This week we ask, do we Love the Victory in Christ at His Appearing?

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:57).

Are you looking forward to the return of Christ, so much so that you will actually LOVE His appearing? I heard about a man that had just enough religion that kept him from being happy at the bar, but not enough to be happy in the worship. That man may not Love His Appearing.

Will we LOVE His Appearing? When we speak about these things we need to be reminded that we can be sure about our salvation, and also beware of the possibility of falling. Here are 4 things that those that love His appearing can do today.

Those that love His Appearing are LOOKING, watching, and expecting His return any day. We wake with the expectation that He may return today, and keep watch over ourselves to be ready for that possibility.

“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12:37)

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt 24:42).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2Peter 3:10).

Those that love His Appearing are OBEYING His commandments. He will ask us on the judgement day, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? Therefore, those that love His appearing are obeying His word.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods” (Matt 24:45-47).

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Rev 2:19).

Those that love His Appearing are adding VIRTUE, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love (2 Peter 1:5-11). Just as a mother looks to see growth in her child, so too our Lord. Therefore, the child of God is growing and maturing.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb 5:12).

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2).

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:15).

Those that love His Appearing ENDURE Suffering & Temptation. While no suffering is joyful at the moment, we know that the world hated Christ before it hated us. Are we any better than the Master? (Matt 10:24)

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2Peter 3:17).

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 5:15)

Friends, my plea as that we live in such a way that we shall Love His Appearing.

–Spencer

If you live in the Borger area and Would you like to know more about how to look forward to His return, let us know.

Love the LORD pt2 OBEY Him

The Preacher 1 Comment

4 Things about Loving the LORD

2/4

Click her for Part one.

We are to OBEY him out of love.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God,

Da 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

De 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

Ne 1:5; Deut 30:16,20; De 13:3; 11:1,13,22; 10:12; 6:5; 7:9.

Jos 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

God Loves us as seen in sending His Son.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

We demonstrate our Love for Him when we keep His commandments.

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Malachi 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

If you live in Borger and would like some help in learning how to Love the LORD, contact us.

Link to Part 1.

We ought to Love the LORD pt 1.

Jesus in Hebrews chpt 6

The Preacher 1 Comment

Warning about immaturity and neglect.

We have much to say but you have become dull of hearing…

ORACLES OF GOD. 12

USE THE INFO. 14

GROW. 5:12-3; 6:1-3,8

HOLY SPIRIT partakers. 6:4-5

TEACHERS, but need teaching. 12

Diligence, Imitate, Inherit 9-12

We have HOPE as an ANCHOR.

ANCHOR. (interjection of Hope)

ABRAHAM example. 6:13; Gen 22:16-17

NO ONE GREATER. 6:13-14

CANNOT LIE He PROMISES. 6:18

HOPE. 6:18-19; consolation; 11:1,6.

OATH. 6:16-17

RIVITED in Heaven. 6:20; cf. 13:25-29How is Jesus BETTER?

Jesus in Hebrews chpt 5

The Preacher 1 Comment

Jesus is a better Priest.

Jesus as a PRIEST.

A PRIEST forever. 6; cf. Psalm 110:4

RECEIVED it from God. 4-5, 10

IN the order of Melchizedek. 6 (ch7)

ETERNAL Salvation’s Author. 9

SUFFERED, SACRIFICE. 8-9

TEARS to Him. 7

How is Jesus BETTER?

What is Grace pt5, it brings ETERNAL life.

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“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

(Eph 2:8)

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” (Titus 2:11)

“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).

Grace is the gift of God that brings us Eternal Life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

It may be helpful to some, as it is me, to think about the grace of God that enables us to have ETERNAL life.

First, we need to explain what ETERNAL means, (I know, but some “scholars” try to tell us it doesn’t mean what we think it means). It means EVERLASTING; perpetual, forever, ongoing. We look forward to a time when we can live with the Lord forever and ever.  

How to attain to Eternal life is TAUGHT by the Word of Christ. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (Joh 6:68). “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life” (John 6:27). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). We would know nothing about it separate and apart from the revealed will of God in the Scriptures.

Eternal life is our lifelong EXPECTATION of hope that is in Christ. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1John 2:25). “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2; 3:7). “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7). Without eternal life, where is the hope?

Eternal life is for the RIGHTEOUS as defined by God. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt 25:46). “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5:21). We are made righteous through the blood of Christ when we are baptized into Christ (Rom 5:9; Rev 1:5).

There is a NEGATIVE aspect to eternal life. The same length of eternity that awaits those that are in Christ also awaits those who are outside of Christ. The difference will be location. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25:41-46). “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation” (Mark 3:29). “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2Thess 1:9). “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). Some will claim that the lost will be annihilated; the scriptures teach something different.

Back to the positive aspects of eternal life. We can be ASSURED of eternal life by our faithfulness to Christ. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13). When our faith begins to waver, perhaps it’s an indication of a need to study His word, examine ourselves, and make correction so we may return to that confidence we have in Christ. “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1John 2:28; cf Heb 3:14; 10:22).

We can LAY HOLD of eternal life; “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses… Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1Tim 6:12, 19). This is done when we remain in the LOVE of Christ. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21). We love God when we keep His commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1John 5:3; cf John 14:15). The New Testament Scriptures are consistent on this point. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal 6:8). “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9).

Spencer

If you are in the Borger area and would like to attend one of the services of the church of Christ at Franklin and Juniper, click here for location, and time.

Why I Read the Bible pt4; To Listen to Jesus

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Reasons I read the BIBLE. #4

To LISTEN (hear) the words of Christ and to LEARN of Him.

Matthew 7:24 KJV

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Mark 9:7 KJV

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

John 6:68 KJV

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

That’s why I read the Bible. To LISTEN & Obey Jesus

Let’s read the bible through in 2023

Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.

If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.

What is GRACE pt4, IN CHRIST

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“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

(Eph 2:8)

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11)

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1Tim 1:14).

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim 2:1).

As we study more about GRACE, the more we’ll realize that Grace is IN CHRIST. He and His sacrifice is the gift of Grace.

Grace appeared IN CHRIST. How does Grace come through CHRIST?

CHRIST was CRUCIFIED fulfilling the prophecy of the manner of His death for the sins of the world. Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up” (John 3:14; cf. Deut 21:23; Gal 3:10-13). In the first sermon at Pentecost, Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). It is the included in the preaching of Jesus. “But we preach Christ crucified” (1Cor 1:23).

As we follow CHRIST, being crucified is something we also do in a figure. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal 5:24; cf. Rom 6:3-6).

It is only by HIS BLOOD that the church is made possible. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb 13:12; cf Heb 9:12).

We who follow Christ are washed IN HIS blood in baptism. “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev 1:5).

After His death and burial, He ROSE FROM THE DEAD. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” (Acts 4:10). It wasn’t enough that He died, but that He also ROSE AGAIN!

We also RISE to walk in newness of life. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Rom 6:3-5). Because He ROSE from the dead, we have hope in our own RESURRECTION into eternal life.

It’s a fact that man cannot provide his own salvation (Rom 3:12, 23), but Jesus could provide for salvation because He is the very IMAGE OF GOD. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15; 2Co 4:4; Heb 1:3). As God in the flesh, He is able to be the perfect remedy for the sins of man. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28; cf 4:15).

Man was originally made in the IMAGE of God, but we are not deity. We can become more like Christ the more we IMITATE Him. “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col 3:10). “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

What we’re learning is that grace is Christ as God’s SACRIFICE for man’s sin. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” (Heb 10:12). “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3).

As followers of Christ, we also SACRIFICE our lives to Him. “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph 5:2). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

GRACE is IN CHRIST because He TASTED DEATH FOR US. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb 2:9). “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2Cor 5:15).

We also TASTE DEATH IN WATER BAPTISM. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom 6:3; cf. Rom 6:11-12; 14:7-8; 1Co 6:19; Ga 2:20; 1Th 5:10). And we mortify (put to death) the deeds of the flesh. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:4-9).

While GRACE is IN CHRIST, we have none of these blessings until we are IN CHRIST. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27; Eph 1:3).

Spencer