Group Notes | May 7

Not My Jesus: Who Is The Real Jesus?
May 7, 2017
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Many people are still living who can remember when any news written in newspapers or on the television could be believed. What do you think has taken place in the last several years to change this?

This week we continue to explore the person of Jesus Christ as written about in the Old Testament, and witnessed  to in the New Testament—all without error. We have looked at the various views the world has of Him, the witness of His own words as recorded in Scripture, and this week we look at the validation that God Himself has affirmed by His own words. As we absorb the wonder of His deity, power and glory, perhaps we will see an increasing growth in our own faith.

Focal Passage: Hebrews 1:1-14.

Discuss:

The Final Word

  1. Read Heb. 1:1,2. How had God spoken to His people prior to the New Testament? What changed with the coming of Jesus?
  2. Read John 1:1-5. If you truly believe that the Bible is God’s actual word to man, what evidence does God—who cannot lie—give as to who Jesus is?

God’s Only Representative

  1. In verse 3a, what did the word “image” (character) mean?
  2. Why does verse 3b signify the past tense of His actions? What other Scriptures can you think of that support this?*

God’s Greatest Joy

  1. Somehow I am convinced our emotions, which we try to hard to keep in check, are also the image of God–I know the angels rejoice, and I know our futile efforts at holiness must bless Him, just as our little ones do when they bring us breakfast in bed, and everything is a sloppy mess!
  1. Why did He bring God so much joy? Can we relate?

He Is God

  1. In verses 8 & 9 alone, how many different reasons did God give to confirm Jesus as God?
  2. Someone read Col. 2:9. How does Paul back up the verse in Hebrews? Can you think of other verses that reinforce that Jesus is God?**

He Is Creator

  1. What does God the Father say of the Son in verse 10? Scriptures abound that testify to His being creator. Can you think of any?

He Is Eternal

  1. What is going to perish and wear out (verse 11)?
  2. From Genesis (21:33), through the New Testament, Everlasting (Eternal) is one of God’s characteristics. What does He also bestow on us, when we become His child? (John 3:16)

Our Final Hope

  1. What does “hope” mean when spoken of in the New Testament? Why is Jesus the only hope we have? Read 1 Cor. 15:19 and Hebrews 11:1. Does this give you more “hope”?
  2. Can you give an example of His having given you hope when you felt at the end of your rope? How do non-believers make it through the difficulties of life?

Close:

It is mind-boggling to realize that, in our own country, nine out of ten people say they believe in God. And a reported 26% believe that the Bible is the actual infallible word of God. Yet as you ponder those two statistics, you would think the country would be well-filled with those who see Jesus as God—since scripture clearly says so. The sad truth is, only about 6% believe that. Can you imagine that out of every one-hundred people who cross your path (in the workplace, the mall, etc.), only about six of them hold Jesus Christ as their hope for eternal life?*** Since the largest Christian University is located here, most likely this statistic for Thomas Road attenders would be different. However, the reality still should cause us to desire to share Jesus to a lost and dying world! Is there any higher endorsement than God Himself? In Titus 1:2, Paul tells us that God cannot lie. That means every word He spoke in Hebrews 1 concerning Jesus Christ is Truth! Does that fill your soul with peace that passes all understanding? To know that you can be adopted as a child and heir by the Creator God should be overwhelming. To have access to His power to live a holy life, to overcome Satan, to have joy and peace—and so much more—should create in us a huge desire to not only worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, but also to want to declare to those whom we love and whom we meet that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and NO-ONE gets to the Father unless they come through Jesus Christ! Share that this week!

Memory Verses: Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has, in these last days, spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

*4: John 19:30; Hebrews 10:12; **7: 1 John 5:7; ***Gallup polls, 2011, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

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