Jesus in family, Jesus in relationships Jesus at the Centre Jesus fully human Jesus in family, Jesus in relationships The Jesus we can know through Scripture Jesus as our role-model Welcome to week 4! We are continuing to lay the foundations, establishing ourselves in Jesus Christ. Placing Him at the centre of everything we do. And what we’ve been saying over the past few weeks is that to do that, we want to know Him better. Whether we have been a Christian all our lives, or just a short time, we are all on that journey. All of us. None of us can say, “OK, that’s it, I know everything about Jesus now!” Can we? We pray, we try to keep Him close, we read our Bible, we talk about Him and explore Him together. Like now. Last week, Chris talked to us about Jesus as the human being, man and boy, His mother’s son. We looked at how He learned, how He taught, how He built relationships. It was very moving. We can get to know Him through scripture. We can know Him by looking around us, because like us He was fully human. But He was the perfect human, sinless and Godly, in perfect relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus completely human The Word was made flesh and lived among us Born as a human being, just like us Lived and worked, ate and slept, laughed and cried like we do Was crucified, suffered death, and was buried A question: is the risen Jesus human too? No notes

John the Baptist announces! “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son WHO IS HIMSELF GOD AND IS IN CLOSEST REATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER has made Him known.” John 1:18 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29 I have seen, and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John 1:34 The voice of one crying, “In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” … Isaiah 40:3 Just as we must, in the desert of our hearts!

The Father and Spirit confirm! The heavens open above Jesus as He is baptised (Matthew 3:16,17) “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased!” The Spirit appears in the form of a dove.

The evil one opposes! After His baptism, Jesus immediately goes into the wilderness to pray and fast His mission is opposed by temptation – appeals for him to resume His Godly nature! If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread … If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down … All this I shall give you if you will bow down and worship me … The High Priest demanded that Jesus tell them if He was the Son of God; His answer? “You have said so.” Matthew 26:64 Taunts at the cross, “If you are the Son of God, who struck you?” If you’re who you claim to be, why don’t you get down from that cross? We can miss our destiny if we give in to temptation. Pride gets in the way of asking for help from God and from each other. The devil offers empty promises that ultimately he can’t deliver. He can only destroy. God offers true riches, true life.

Jesus responds with Scripture “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” “He will command His angels concerning you …” (Yes, the devil knows scripture too!) “Do not put the Lord your God to the test!” “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Even the demons know their Bible! We can fight off evil by turning to the Word. We must carry His Word in our minds and our hearts – even if it’s a few short verses or a heartfelt prayer in our times of need. The very name of Jesus carries supreme power over evil. God’s power transcends our human nature, the natural order; God is supreme. But pride is all-consuming.

Jesus is God incarnate (made flesh) Jesus, fully human, is truly God, His power set aside. So, did He always know? If not, when did He know? Who told him? How did He work it through? Signs and wonders: wedding feast at Cana, “My time is not yet come.” Seven statements from Jesus; Seven signs. A few things to ponder – not now! But in the week to come, perhaps at home group where we can kick things around a bit! We need to develop our knowledge. When Jesus was ready, He intended to leave people in no doubt, while leaving the decision to them.

Seven “I AM” Statements I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger.” John 6:35 I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 I am the gate; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and shall have pasture.” John 10:9 Feed on Him! The people that live in darkness have seen a great light! Jesus as the good shepherd

Seven “I AM” Statements “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.” John 10:11 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies” John 11:25 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” John 14:6 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1

Another Jesus statement: “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM” John 8:58 Jesus is saying, in a way that His listeners could not mistake, that He existed before His human life on earth Very, very clear!!! Jesus throws down the gauntlet to the Jewish authorities – And to us!

Who do people say the Son of Man is? Matthew 16:13 Some say John the Baptist Others say Elijah And still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets But what about you? Who do you say I am? An innocent question – what do people think of me? Sounds a very human enquiry on the face of it. But Jesus is looking for the heart-response of His closest disciples – are they ready?

Peter’s response “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Blessed are you, Simon Peter, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” Peter nails it! But no cause for pride – the very knowledge of Jesus as Messiah, as our \saviour, comes from God by the conviction of the Holy Spirit!

Human and divine nature made whole In His body – the first-born among many! Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:18 Jesus’ nature – and our destiny!

Sons and Daughters with Christ For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29) And He is the head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy (Colossians 1:18) US as His disciples, His adoptive brothers and sisters! Jesus, resurrected from the dead as we shall be in the new heaven and the new earth!

Jesus asks each and every one of us, Who do YOU say I am? This is what we need to explore, for ourselves, seeking God’s help to find our answer in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Just how big is your Jesus? Listen to this. (after) If you want to know more about Jesus, seek Him further, get closer, then please come forward to pray with us and seek His face, acknowledge Him as our King, our Lord, our friend and our brother!