1 Peter 2:21-25 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.

Errors in our Understanding of the Divinity/Humanity of Jesus Lean too far into the Humanity of Jesus Non-Christian Position Lean too far into the Humanity of Jesus Non-Christian Position

“Since an agnostic does not believe in God, he cannot think that Jesus was God. Most agnostics admire the life and moral teachings of Jesus as told in the Gospels, but not necessarily more than those of certain other men. Some would place him on a level with Buddha, some with Socrates and some with Abraham Lincoln. Nor do they think that what He said is not open to question, since they do not accept any authority as absolute.” Bertrand Russell What is an Agnostic?

“I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith. The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man..." conversation with Millie Polak, an early disciple of Gandhi Gandhi and Christianity edited by Robert Ellsberg

"Jesus occupies in my heart, the place of one of the greatest teachers who have had a considerable influence on my life. I shall say to the Hindus that your life will be incomplete unless you reverentially study the teachings of Jesus….” Gandhi and Christianity edited by Robert Ellsberg

[He could accept Jesus] “as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept." Gandhi and Christianity edited by Robert Ellsberg

Errors in our Understanding of the Divinity/Humanity of Jesus Lean too far into the Humanity of Jesus Non-Christian Position Liberal “Christian” Position Lean too far into the Divinity of Jesus Lean too far into the Humanity of Jesus Non-Christian Position Liberal “Christian” Position Lean too far into the Divinity of Jesus

3 Truths About Jesus That We Must Hold To 1.Jesus was and is fully God 2.Beginning at the incarnation, Jesus was and is fully human 3.Jesus set aside the privileges of His divinity during His life on earth so that He could live completely as a human being 1.Jesus was and is fully God 2.Beginning at the incarnation, Jesus was and is fully human 3.Jesus set aside the privileges of His divinity during His life on earth so that He could live completely as a human being

Philippians 2:1-8 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.…Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Kenosis Theory Gk. Kenos = “empty” “but emptied himself” Revised Standard Version Revised Standard Version

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Malachi 3:6 "I the LORD do not change.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

John 11:21 "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Psalms 139: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

How did Jesus do “God” things? Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

How did Jesus do “God” things? Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

How did Jesus do “God” things? Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

How did Jesus do “God” things? Luke 4:16-18 …On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. Luke 4:16-18 …On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

How did Jesus do “God” things? Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

How did Jesus do “God” things? John 16:7-13 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: … "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:7-13 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: … "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

How did Jesus do “God” things? Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 8:4 [We] do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:4 [We] do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Can We Follow the Example of Jesus ? 1.Because He was fully human 2.Because we can be led by the Holy Spirit just as Jesus was 1.Because He was fully human 2.Because we can be led by the Holy Spirit just as Jesus was YES

1 Peter 2:21-25 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Is this good news to you? “You can do any sin you want for the rest of your life and I won’t hold you guilty and I won’t ask you to stop.” Diagnosis: You love sin more than you love God

1 Peter 2:21-25 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.