| Vol. V Number 36 | November 25, 2001 |
Last week we discussed putting on the whole armor of God. Now that we are wearing God's armor, it is time to recognize who Jesus Christ really is. There are a number of opinions about who Jesus is:
Some of the above take away from who Jesus really is and rob him of his true divine nature, while others show Jesus who he really is. Let's look at what the Bible says about the Christ.
John 1:1-17
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
The very first verse of the Gospel of John declares that ``In the beginning was the word.'' This opening statement is a powerful reminder that Jesus was, is, and always will be. He is the Word that has been in existence from the very beginning of time. He is the word who spoke, ``Let there be light!'' All things were made by him and without him there would be nothing. We wouldn't even exist if Jesus didn't create us in the first place. How bold and arrogant we are when we think that we are something, when in reality we are only something in Christ.
John tells us that the world was made by him and that the world knew him not. The same holds true for today as it was 2,000 years ago. The world still doesn't know him and that the majority refuse to equate Jesus with the creator. Verse 3 even tells us that without him nothing that was made would have been made. Everything that is in the universe was created by Jesus Christ. So not only is Jesus the word of God, but he now is our creator. Even we were made by him, who are arrogant enough to dream up something like evolution to deny the existence of Jesus. They call evolution a theory, but it is taught to our children as a fact. Is this right, to teach a scientific theory as a fact so that we can justify living in sin for we are not answerable to any creator? This is the view of the world today as well as the view of the ancient world. Neither wanted a holy righteous God to be held accountable to.
Now that we have seen that Jesus is the word and the creator, this same being also took it upon himself to be our Saviour. He took it upon himself to stand in our place and take the judgment that we so rightfully deserved. We were the ones who rebelled against the Lord and it happens to be the Lord who has paid the price for our sin. He loves us so much that he is willing to take our place where we should be in eternal torment. Jesus did not have to die on the cross, but he chose to die on the cross as payment for our disobedience.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God so loved us that he took our place of suffering and paid the price for our sin. Jesus could have rejected us and let us suffer and die, but he chose to take our place to redeem us from the eternal torment that we so richly deserve.
Finally Jesus is the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega.
Revelation 1:1-8
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 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,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Revelation 22:13-21
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Before Jesus there was nothing and there will be nothing after him for he is the beginning and the end. There is nothing outside of Jesus if you believe the Bible. With Jesus you have everything.
3014 E Street Philadelphia, PA 19134 Church Office Phone: (215) 634-3637 Published by: Rev. LeRoy D. Cressy (215) 535-4037
Services:
Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11:30 AM
Sunday Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . 12 NOON
Sunday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:30 PM
Wednesday Evening . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 PM
Copyright © 2001 LeRoy D. Cressy
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