Let's begin this study in prayer...
Hebrews 1:1-3In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son [Jesus], whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
I. INTRODUCTION
In our last study we read where Jesus said that He was the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.
John 14:6
We also read from God's Word that no one can receive eternal life
except through Jesus.
Acts 4:12
Since this is true, we better go and find out who this Jesus really is.
Let us begin our study by reading the following Psalm,
Psalm 130:1-8
QUESTION: Who is this Lord? Who is this Lord that will redeem Israel
from all their sins?
Well, in order to find out, let us go into the Old Testament and read
just a sample of the prophecies that tell us about this Redeemer or
Messiah.
II. SOME OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES
First of all we find that,
A. HE WILL BE A MAN BORN OF A WOMAN
This is given to us when God put a curse upon the serpent (i.e.
Satan) for enticing Eve who then led Adam into sin.
Genesis 3:14-15
In addition to being born of a woman, we also find that,
B. THE WOMAN WOULD BE A VIRGIN
This is given to us through the prophet Isaiah,
Isaiah 7:14
As you know, we find these two prophecies, given around 700 years
before Christ, are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. To see this, let
us read about His birth.
Matthew 1:18-25
In addition to delivering Israel from their sins, we also find
that it was also foretold that,
C. THE REDEEMER WILL ALSO SAVE THE GENTILES AS WELL
Let us not forget that when the scripture says Gentile it means
us... you and I who are not Jewish. Since we have such a large
stake in this prophecy, let us go and read it.
Isaiah 49:5-6
Notice vs 5 formed in the womb
vs 6 also to bring salvation to the ends of the
earth.
We find a similar prophecy given to us in,
Isaiah 9:1-2
As with the virgin birth, we find that these prophecies are also
fulfilled by Jesus Christ. To see this, let us read,
Matthew 4:12-17
As it turns out, in addition to myriads of other prophecies which
were fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the scripture also tells us that,
D. THE REDEEMER/MESSIAH WOULD BE PRECEDED BY A MESSENGER
This prophecy is given to us by Isaiah in,
Isaiah 40:1-5
and also by the prophet Malachi in,
Malachi 3:1
As we read the Gospels of Jesus Christ we come to find these
prophecies were fulfilled through the mission of John the Baptist
To see this, let us read the account given to us in the Gospel
according to Mark in,
Mark 1:1-8
QUESTION: So who is this Jesus? We know that He is a man, so is
He a great prophet? (or) Is He something more?
As it turns out the Bible tells us that,
III. JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
In order to see this, let us first read a sample of the things He did
while He was here upon this earth ..... OK?
A. SOME THINGS JESUS DID DURING HIS STAY ON EARTH
1. HE HEALED THE SICK
Matthew 4:23-25
2. HE CALMED A STORM
Matthew 8:23-27
3. HE CAST OUT DEMONS
Matthew 8:28-34
Notice vs 29 the demons know who Jesus is!
4. HE RAISED THE DEAD
Luke 7:11-17
5. HE FORGAVE SIN
Matthew 9:1-8
QUESTION: So who is this Jesus? Was He a great prophet as some
said (or) is He much greater?
Well, let us go and read what Peter said when Jesus asked him
this same question.
B. THE WITNESS OF PETER
1. THE QUESTION
Matthew 16:13-15
2. PETER'S RESPONSE & JESUS' REPLY
Matthew 16:16-17
Not only do we have the witness of Jesus' disciples and John the
Baptist, but we also have,
C. THE WITNESS OF GOD THE FATHER
1. AT JESUS' BAPTISM
Matthew 3:13-17
and,
2. ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION
For this account let us go to,
Mark 9:2-8
Notice vs 7
So we see that Jesus is much greater than a prophet for we found
that He is the Son of God!
QUESTION: What does that mean? What does it mean that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God?
Well, what we find is that,
IV. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD COME IN THE FLESH
In order to see this, let us first read a prophecy given through the
prophet Ezekiel which foretells a time when God Himself will come
and rescue His people.
A. THE PROPHECY
As we read this prophecy let us note the phraseology,
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Notice who was going to come and tend the sheep of
Israel.
B. FULFILLED IN JESUS CHRIST
1. GOD BECOMES FLESH
To see this let us read from the Gospel according to John in,
John 1:1-14
In addition to the above account, we also find through the
Apostle John that Jesus also made it very clear to the Jews
on exactly who He is. Namely,
2. JESUS AND THE FATHER ARE ONE
To see this, let us go and read what happened during one of
the Feasts of Dedication.
John 10:22-30
QUESTION: Did the Jews understand what Jesus was telling
them?
Well, to find out, let us continue our reading,
John 10:31-33
And just so that we do not have any misunderstanding of
what the Bible is telling us, let us read what the Apostle
Thomas said when Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas after His
resurrection.
3. THE WITNESS OF THE APOSTLE THOMAS
John 20:24-29
V. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY, THE IMPORTANCE OF IT ALL
QUESTION: Why go through all this? Why is it so important to know who
Jesus really is?
Well, the answer to this question is really given to us by Jesus Christ
Himself in,
John 8:23-24
In other words what we are told is that: "No one can receive eternal
life except through Jesus Christ, Himself, the only begotten Son of
God" (Acts 4:12)
Hence the purpose of this study can be summarized by reading,
John 20:30-31
Let's end this study in prayer...
John 5:19-24Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself, He can do only what he sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. Yes, to your amazement He will show Him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgement to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
Send e-mail to John Sweet... Internet address is jsweetj@jsweetj.cnc.net Send e-mail to web page curator... Internet address is kenzy@kenzy.com
Home page for web page curator...