Deepening Our Relationship with Jesus: A Transformative Journey
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound impact of knowing Jesus more deeply. As we embark on this journey, we discover not only who He is but also who we are in Him. This understanding transforms our lives, guiding us in our Christian walk and deepening our comprehension of the Scriptures. The story of a woman who initially found a book boring until she met and fell in love with its author illustrates this beautifully. Once she knew the author, the book became fascinating. Similarly, when we fall in love with Jesus, the author of the Bible, the Scriptures come alive and make sense to us.
We delved into the significance of Jesus' question to His disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" This question remains crucial for us today. The world offers various perspectives on Jesus, but the truth of His divinity is paramount. Peter's declaration that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" is a revelation that comes from God. This acknowledgment is foundational to our faith and the blessings that follow.
Understanding Jesus' role in creation is essential. He was present from the beginning, involved in the creation of the universe. Everything was made through Him and for Him. This realization should fill us with awe and gratitude. We are His prized creation, made in His image, and our uniqueness reflects His divine craftsmanship.
Our desire for love and connection is rooted in our creation by Jesus. We were made to love and be loved, ultimately finding fulfillment in our relationship with Him. This longing for love is a reflection of our purpose to worship and live for Jesus.
The question remains: Who do you say Jesus is? This is a question we must answer personally. Whether you are just beginning to explore who Jesus is or seeking to deepen your relationship with Him, the invitation is open. Embrace the opportunity to know Him more intimately and experience the transformation that comes from a deeper understanding of His love and purpose for your life.
Key Takeaways:
- Knowing Jesus deeply transforms our understanding of the Scriptures and our identity in Him. As we fall in love with the author of the Bible, the stories and teachings within it become clearer and more meaningful. [35:31]
- Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is crucial for our faith. Recognizing Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, is foundational to our relationship with Him and the blessings that follow. [41:46]
- Jesus was present at creation, and everything was made through Him and for Him. This understanding should fill us with awe and gratitude, recognizing our place as His prized creation. [50:14]
- Our desire for love and connection is rooted in our creation by Jesus. We were made to love and be loved, ultimately finding fulfillment in our relationship with Him. [57:25]
- The question of who Jesus is must be answered personally. Whether you are just beginning to explore who Jesus is or seeking to deepen your relationship with Him, the invitation is open to know Him more intimately. [58:38]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - New Year, New You
[01:15] - Benefits of Knowing Jesus
[03:45] - Understanding the Scriptures
[05:30] - The Story of the Book
[08:00] - Falling in Love with the Author
[10:00] - Jesus' Question to His Disciples
[12:30] - Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
[15:00] - Peter's Revelation
[18:00] - Jesus in Creation
[20:30] - Our Unique Creation
[23:00] - Desire for Love
[25:00] - Invitation to Know Jesus
[27:00] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:13-19
2. John 1:1-5
3. Colossians 1:16-18
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 16:13-19, what question does Jesus ask His disciples, and why is this question significant? [38:06]
2. How does the story of the woman and the book illustrate the importance of knowing Jesus, the author of the Bible? [35:31]
3. According to Colossians 1:16-18, what role does Jesus play in creation, and how does this relate to our understanding of Him? [50:14]
4. What are some of the different perspectives on Jesus mentioned in the sermon, and how do they compare to Peter's declaration? [39:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is Peter's declaration that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" considered a revelation from God, and what does this mean for our faith? [41:46]
2. How does understanding Jesus' role in creation affect our view of the world and our place in it? [50:14]
3. The sermon mentions our desire for love and connection as rooted in our creation by Jesus. How does this understanding influence our relationships with others? [57:25]
4. What does it mean to personally answer the question, "Who do you say Jesus is?" and why is this question crucial for our spiritual journey? [58:38]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of Jesus. How has your perspective changed over time, and what steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him? [45:51]
2. The sermon suggests that knowing Jesus transforms our understanding of the Scriptures. What practical steps can you take to fall in love with the author of the Bible and make the Scriptures come alive for you? [35:31]
3. Consider the different perspectives on Jesus mentioned in the sermon. How do these views influence your interactions with people of different beliefs, and how can you share your understanding of Jesus with them? [39:09]
4. How does recognizing Jesus' role in creation inspire awe and gratitude in your life? What specific actions can you take to express this gratitude in your daily routine? [50:14]
5. The sermon emphasizes our creation in the image of God. How does this truth impact your self-worth and the way you view others? What changes can you make to reflect this understanding in your relationships? [54:36]
6. Reflect on your desire for love and connection. How can you channel this desire towards a deeper relationship with Jesus, and what changes might this bring to your life? [57:25]
7. The invitation to know Jesus more intimately is open to everyone. What specific steps will you take this week to embrace this invitation and experience transformation in your life? [58:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Falling in Love with the Author of Life
Knowing Jesus deeply transforms our understanding of the Scriptures and our identity in Him. As we fall in love with the author of the Bible, the stories and teachings within it become clearer and more meaningful. When we truly know Jesus, the Bible is no longer just a collection of ancient texts but a living, breathing testament of His love and purpose for us. This transformation is akin to the story of a woman who found a book boring until she met and fell in love with its author. Once she knew the author, the book became fascinating. Similarly, when we fall in love with Jesus, the Scriptures come alive and make sense to us. This deep relationship with Jesus invites us to see the Bible as a personal letter from Him, filled with wisdom and guidance for our lives. [35:31]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Think of a passage in the Bible that you have struggled to understand. How might your perception change if you approached it as a personal message from Jesus, the author of life?
Day 2: The Foundation of Our Faith
Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is crucial for our faith. Recognizing Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God, is foundational to our relationship with Him and the blessings that follow. This question challenges us to move beyond societal perceptions and personal doubts to a place of personal conviction and faith. Peter's declaration that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" is a revelation that comes from God and is essential for every believer. This acknowledgment is not just a statement of belief but a commitment to live in the truth of who Jesus is. It is a call to align our lives with His teachings and to experience the blessings that come from a deep, personal relationship with Him. [41:46]
Matthew 16:15-17 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your personal answer to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" How does this answer influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 3: Jesus, the Creator of All
Jesus was present at creation, and everything was made through Him and for Him. This understanding should fill us with awe and gratitude, recognizing our place as His prized creation. Jesus' role in creation is not just a theological concept but a profound truth that shapes our identity and purpose. As the Creator, Jesus crafted the universe with intention and care, and we are part of that divine design. Our uniqueness reflects His divine craftsmanship, and our lives are meant to glorify Him. This realization invites us to live with a sense of wonder and responsibility, knowing that we are created for a purpose and that our lives have meaning in His grand design. [50:14]
Colossians 1:16 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."
Reflection: Consider how the knowledge that Jesus is the Creator of all impacts your view of yourself and the world around you. How can you live today in a way that honors His creation?
Day 4: Created for Love and Connection
Our desire for love and connection is rooted in our creation by Jesus. We were made to love and be loved, ultimately finding fulfillment in our relationship with Him. This longing for love is not a mere human emotion but a reflection of our divine purpose to worship and live for Jesus. Our relationships with others are meant to mirror the love and connection we have with Him. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we learn to love others more deeply and authentically. This divine love transforms our interactions and brings fulfillment to our lives, as we live out our purpose to love and be loved in His name. [57:25]
1 John 4:19 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us."
Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life where you can better reflect the love of Jesus. What practical steps can you take today to show His love more fully in that relationship?
Day 5: The Personal Invitation to Know Jesus
The question of who Jesus is must be answered personally. Whether you are just beginning to explore who Jesus is or seeking to deepen your relationship with Him, the invitation is open to know Him more intimately. This personal journey is not about religious rituals or obligations but about a genuine relationship with Jesus. He invites us to experience His love, grace, and purpose for our lives. As we accept this invitation, we embark on a transformative journey that shapes our identity and destiny. This is an ongoing process of discovery and growth, as we learn to live in the fullness of His love and purpose. [58:38]
Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek Jesus more earnestly and deepen your relationship with Him? How can you make space in your daily routine to connect with Him more intimately?
Quotes
"Well, a few years later, this lady goes into this book convention and she loves books and she loves to meet authors. And so she's talking and she runs into this guy and they go out for drinks that night and they start dating. And really quickly, they fall in love and get married. She didn't realize it at the time until about three months later that she married the guy of the book that she bought that she put down after two chapters because it was the most boring book that she'd ever read." [00:34:50] (31 seconds)
"She knew where the author was coming from. She knew the heart of the man that was writing the book. And so her perspective of the book changed to, I know him and now I understand the story. And when we read the Bible, we need to know the author of the Bible and fall in love with the author of the Bible. Because if we fall in love with the author of the Bible, then the rest of the scriptures start to make sense." [00:35:46] (24 seconds)
"Jesus answers or asks this question, and Peter gets it correctly, because Jesus tells him, he says, Peter, he says that on, he said, I tell you, Peter, on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peter's name means rock, and I believe that there's a sense to this that Jesus is saying, Peter, on you, I am going to build my church." [00:43:35] (30 seconds)
"Paul says it like this in Colossians 1, 16 through 18. He says, for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth. He says, for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth. Visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." [00:49:54] (26 seconds)
"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that everything he might be preeminent, which means that he is the greatest. That he is the best. Top, supreme, superior, unequal. It's all about Jesus. Everything is about Jesus. Everything was created on this planet for him and through him." [00:50:21] (30 seconds)
"Genesis 1 .26 says, then God said, let us make man in our image after our likeness. I want you to look at your neighbor right now, and I want you to tell somebody next to you and look at them and say that you were created in the image and likeness of God. The fact that we were created in his image and his likeness should be mine. It should be mind -blowing to us." [00:54:08] (29 seconds)
"We are his prize creation. Man is the prize. All of those things that I said that was created for Jesus Christ and the majesty of all of those things and the stars and the planets and the suns and the moon and the animal, all of those things, we were created in the image of God. We were created in the image of God. As his prize." [00:54:45] (22 seconds)
"And all they're doing is searching for love too. So now you have teenage kids that are just, both of you are searching for love and you want them to love you and I want you to love them. And so usually it just works into this disaster. But the reason why your desire that love, the reason that you desire that love is because Jesus created you to desire that love and to love people. But that was for Jesus. It was for him." [00:57:58] (28 seconds)
"And the problem is, is we just don't know Jesus enough to understand that that desire that we have for love and that desire that we have to love one another comes from him because he's created that inside of us. Worshiped him. The question, today, is who do you say that Jesus is? That's the question that we all must answer. Today, maybe you don't know, maybe you've never answered that question." [00:58:39] (46 seconds)
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