Knowing the True Jesus: The Living Word of God

 

Summary

Jesus is the most recognized figure in history, yet so few truly know him as he reveals himself in scripture. Many people have their own interpretations of Jesus—shaped by culture, politics, or personal preference—but it is crucial to know the Jesus of the Bible, not just a version that fits our narrative. Just as following the wrong directions can lead us to the wrong destination, following a misrepresented Jesus leads us away from the truth and the life he offers. The only reliable way to know Jesus is to let scripture define him, not our feelings or traditions.

From the very beginning, Jesus is revealed as the Word of God. In Genesis, God speaks creation into existence, and John’s gospel clarifies that this creative Word is Jesus himself. He is not just a spoken thought, but the living, active agent of God’s will—God’s Word made flesh. When God says, “Let there be light,” it is Jesus who brings it to pass, even before the sun, moon, and stars are created. This means that every time the “word of the Lord” comes to someone in scripture, it is an encounter with Jesus, the living Word. The authority and weight of God’s Word are not just in the message, but in the person of Jesus who embodies it.

The challenge for us is to discern whose words carry weight in our lives. Are we shaped by the opinions of others, or by the Word of God? When God speaks, his Word has the power to change the trajectory of our lives, even when it contradicts the wisdom of experts or the expectations of culture. Trusting Jesus means letting his Word override every other voice, even when we don’t see immediate results.

Jesus is not a new idea or a recent development—he has always existed. Before Abraham, before creation itself, Jesus is the eternal “I Am.” This truth sets Christianity apart from other religions and interpretations that diminish Jesus to a created being or one among many. He is the one and only Son of God, unique and exactly like the Father in every way. There are no alternatives, no substitutes, and no counterfeits. Knowing and following the true Jesus is the foundation for a life that bears fruit and stands firm.

Key Takeaways

- Knowing Jesus requires letting go of our personal, cultural, and political versions of him and embracing the Jesus revealed in scripture. When we shape Jesus to fit our preferences, we end up with a relatable but powerless savior. Only the Jesus of the Bible has the authority and righteousness to transform our lives. [08:09]

- Jesus is the living Word of God, not just a message or a thought, but the very agent through whom God acts. Every time God speaks, Jesus brings it to reality, even when the fulfillment is not immediately visible. This means that encountering the Word of God is encountering Jesus himself, and his Word carries creative, life-changing power. [12:29]

- The authority of God’s Word in our lives depends on whose voice we value most. Many voices compete for our attention—experts, culture, even our own desires—but only the Word of God deserves ultimate weight. When we trust and obey God’s Word above all others, we experience his guidance and provision in ways that defy human logic. [16:40]

- Jesus is not limited by time, tradition, or human understanding. He has always existed, before Abraham, before creation, as the eternal “I Am.” This eternal nature of Jesus gives us a faith that is anchored in what has always been true, not just what is currently popular or convenient. [25:06]

- Jesus is the one and only Son of God, unique and exactly like the Father. Any teaching that makes Jesus just one among many, or a created being, undermines the foundation of our faith. Trusting in the uniqueness and divinity of Jesus gives us confidence that we are following the true and only Savior, not a counterfeit or substitute. [29:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - Everyone Knows of Jesus, Few Know Him
[02:42] - Why Getting Jesus Right Matters
[05:07] - The Wrong Directions: A Story About Trust
[07:22] - Following the Right Jesus
[08:09] - Letting Scripture Define Jesus
[09:11] - Jesus as the Word of God
[10:10] - The Trinity in Creation
[12:29] - Jesus: The Light and the Action of God’s Word
[14:00] - The Weight of Words: Who Said It?
[17:00] - Trusting God’s Word Over Opinions
[21:24] - Does God’s Word Carry Weight in Your Life?
[22:44] - Jesus in the Old and New Testament
[24:15] - Jesus: The Eternal “I Am”
[29:33] - Jesus: The One and Only Son of God
[32:00] - The Uniqueness of Christ and Our Confidence

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Who Is Jesus?

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### Bible Reading

- John 1:1-5, 14
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

- Genesis 1:1-3
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

- John 8:51-58
"Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death... Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad... 'Very truly I tell you,' Jesus answered, 'before Abraham was born, I am!'"

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 1, what titles and roles are given to Jesus, and how do they connect to the creation story in Genesis?
[[09:11]]

2. According to Genesis 1, what happens when God speaks, and how does the sermon connect this to Jesus’ identity?
[[12:29]]

3. In John 8, what claim does Jesus make about himself that causes such a strong reaction from the people listening?
[[24:15]]

4. The sermon mentions that “the word of the Lord came to” people in the Old Testament. What does the pastor say this means about Jesus’ presence in both the Old and New Testaments?
[[14:00]]

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that many people have their own version of Jesus shaped by culture, politics, or personal preference. Why is it dangerous to follow a “relatable but powerless” Jesus instead of the Jesus revealed in Scripture?
[[08:09]]

2. The pastor explains that Jesus is not just a message or a thought, but the living Word of God who brings God’s will into reality. What does this mean for how we should approach the words and promises of Jesus in our lives?
[[12:29]]

3. Jesus claims to be the eternal “I Am” in John 8. How does this set him apart from other religious leaders or spiritual figures, according to the sermon?
[[25:06]]

4. The sermon challenges us to consider whose words carry the most weight in our lives. What are some examples of voices that might compete with God’s Word, and why is it important to let Jesus’ words override them?
[[16:40]]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor shared a story about following the wrong directions and ending up in the wrong place. Have you ever realized you were following a “version” of Jesus that was more about your preferences than Scripture? What helped you recognize it, and what changed after?
[[07:22]]

2. Are there areas in your life where you tend to let culture, family, or your own feelings define who Jesus is, rather than letting Scripture shape your view? What would it look like to let go of those influences?
[[08:09]]

3. The sermon says that when God speaks, Jesus brings it to reality—even if the results aren’t immediate (like “let there be light” before the sun existed). Is there a promise or word from God you’re waiting to see fulfilled? How can you trust Jesus in the waiting?
[[12:29]]

4. The pastor asked, “Does the word of God carry enough weight to dictate the decisions I make for my life?” Think of a recent decision you made—what voices influenced you most? How can you give more weight to God’s Word next time?
[[21:24]]

5. Jesus is described as the one and only Son of God, unique and exactly like the Father. How does believing in the uniqueness and divinity of Jesus give you confidence in your faith, especially when you encounter other beliefs or doubts?
[[29:33]]

6. The sermon challenges us to trust God’s Word over the opinions of experts, culture, or even our own desires. What is one practical step you can take this week to prioritize God’s voice above all others?
[[16:40]]

7. The pastor said, “If you see the word as just words, then it won’t carry weight. But if you see the word as Jesus, then it will.” How can you remind yourself daily that encountering Scripture is encountering Jesus himself?
[[21:24]]

---

Close in prayer, asking God to help each person know and follow the true Jesus revealed in Scripture, and to give his Word the ultimate authority in their lives.

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Jesus of Scripture, Not Culture

Many people carry images of Jesus shaped by their culture, politics, or personal preferences, but these versions often miss the true power and authority Jesus holds as revealed in the Bible. When Jesus is molded to fit our narratives, He becomes a relatable but powerless figure, unable to transform lives or offer true salvation. To truly know Jesus, one must let Scripture define Him, setting aside personal biases and cultural influences that dilute His identity and mission. This surrender opens the door to encountering the living Savior who alone has the righteousness and authority to change hearts and lives. [08:09]

Knowing Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture challenges us to examine the stories and teachings we have accepted about Him. It calls for humility to let go of comfortable but incomplete ideas and to embrace the fullness of who Jesus is—the Son of God, the Messiah, and the living Word. This is not just an intellectual exercise but a spiritual posture that invites transformation and deeper faith.

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: What specific cultural or personal ideas about Jesus do you need to release so that you can embrace the Jesus revealed in Scripture more fully today?



Day 2: Jesus as the Living Word, the Active Agent of God

Jesus is not merely a message or a concept but the living Word through whom God’s will is enacted in the world. From the very beginning, when God spoke creation into existence, it was Jesus who brought those words to life. Every time the “word of the Lord” is spoken in Scripture, it is an encounter with Jesus Himself, who carries creative and life-changing power. This means that hearing God’s Word is not just receiving information but meeting the living presence of Christ, who continues to act and bring about God’s purposes even when the results are not immediately visible. [12:29]

Understanding Jesus as the living Word invites believers to listen attentively and trust in His power to fulfill God’s promises. It challenges us to recognize that God’s activity is ongoing and that Jesus is the dynamic force behind every divine word spoken. This perspective deepens faith and encourages perseverance, even when circumstances seem unchanged.

Psalm 33:6-9 (ESV)
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust Jesus’ living Word to bring about change, even if you cannot yet see the outcome?



Day 3: Prioritizing God’s Word Over All Other Voices

Life is filled with competing voices—experts, culture, friends, and even our own desires—that vie for our attention and trust. Yet, the only voice that carries ultimate authority and power to guide and transform is the Word of God. When we choose to trust and obey God’s Word above all others, we open ourselves to His guidance and provision, which often defy human logic and expectations. This requires courage and faith to let God’s truth override popular opinion and personal preferences, knowing that His wisdom leads to life and fruitfulness. [16:40]

Choosing to prioritize God’s Word means actively discerning whose voice shapes our decisions and worldview. It calls for a daily commitment to listen, meditate, and obey Scripture, even when it challenges our comfort zones or contradicts the prevailing culture. This posture cultivates spiritual maturity and a life anchored in divine truth.

Jeremiah 23:28-29 (ESV)
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Reflection: Identify one decision or belief where you have been influenced more by culture or opinion than by God’s Word. How can you begin to realign your trust with Scripture today?



Day 4: Jesus as the Eternal “I Am” Beyond Time and Tradition

Jesus is not a recent figure or a product of history; He is the eternal “I Am” who existed before Abraham and before creation itself. This eternal nature distinguishes Christianity from other beliefs that reduce Jesus to a created being or one among many gods. Knowing Jesus as the timeless, self-existent God anchors faith in an unchanging reality rather than shifting cultural trends or human understanding. This truth provides stability and confidence, reminding believers that their hope rests on what has always been true, not on what is merely popular or convenient. [25:06]

Recognizing Jesus’ eternal identity invites believers to trust in His sovereignty and unchanging character. It encourages a faith that transcends circumstances and remains steadfast through life’s uncertainties, grounded in the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV)
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Reflection: How does embracing Jesus as the eternal “I Am” change the way you face uncertainty or change in your life today?



Day 5: The Uniqueness and Divinity of Jesus, Our Only Savior

Jesus is the one and only Son of God, unique and exactly like the Father in every way. Any teaching that diminishes Him to a created being or one among many undermines the foundation of Christian faith. Trusting in Jesus’ uniqueness and divinity assures believers that they are following the true Savior, not a counterfeit or substitute. This confidence empowers a life rooted in truth and secure in the salvation Jesus alone provides. [29:33]

Understanding Jesus’ singular identity calls believers to reject any diluted or pluralistic views that compromise His lordship. It invites a wholehearted commitment to the true Christ, whose divine nature and exclusive role as Savior are the bedrock of hope and eternal life.

Colossians 1:15-18 (ESV)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Reflection: What beliefs or teachings about Jesus do you need to examine and possibly correct to ensure you are following the true and unique Son of God?

Quotes

Jesus is far too important of a person for us to get wrong on our interpretation of who he is. Like this is like, you know, you can you can have a different Mount Rushmore of your favorite athletes or artists. You can you can you can debate over who's the goat about whatever. You can you can have a musical preference, but when it comes to Jesus, I would say you you better be pretty sure you know who Jesus is. [00:02:27]

If you're not following the right Jesus, you'll end up at the wrong place. Now when we say who is Jesus, I'm not asking you what's the Jesus of your cultural preferences. I'm not asking you the Jesus of your political preferences. I'm not asking you about the Jesus that your grandma mama talked about. I'm asking, do you know and do you follow the Jesus of the Bible? Because I'll say it like this. If Jesus has to fit into your cultural narrative, then the end result is a Jesus that is relatable, not righteous. [00:07:36]

If Jesus has to fit into your political view, then the end result is a Jesus that is safe, not sovereign. If Jesus has to adapt to your moral standards and preferences, then the end result is a Jesus who makes you happier, not holier. At the end of the day, the only accurate way to define and describe Jesus is to base all of our beliefs on scripture. Amen. Meaning my feelings, my ideas about Jesus, my my preferences for Jesus always have to constantly readjust to the self-description of Jesus. [00:08:14]

There's plenty of Jesus's to follow, but you will end up in the middle of nowhere. So let's let's go back to scripture. John chapter 1. In the beginning, the word already existed. The word was with God and the word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him and nothing was created except through him. Just to clarify point number one, Jesus is the word of God. [00:08:54]

What we've seen right there, just in those three verses, in the very beginning of Genesis, we've seen the full depiction of the Trinity. Now the word trinity is never mentioned in any scripture verse or book in the Bible. However, it is alluded to and you see it as clearly as you can't even get past verse three without saying the father, the son, and the holy spirit. How do we know? First, it says in the beginning, God. We can go off of being that being God is God the father. [00:09:55]

But then it says the spirit of God was hovering over the f face of the waters. So now we see the Holy Spirit manifested because they they distinctly distinctly separate them. But then it says, "Then God said, let there be light and there was light." Now you may be thinking, "I don't see Jesus." But John saw Jesus. That's why he starts off the book of John by refraraming Genesis 1. The way he starts off John 1, all of the listeners would have immediately correlated him to like, is he retelling Genesis 1? [00:10:23]

The thing that you thought God was just speaking was not God speaking. It was God being him son. His son. It was God. It was God articulating himself through his son. Because you got to think about what he says. He says, "Let there be light." And then put up Genesis 1 one more time. 1 verse two. The next one. And then verse three. I said to you, I'm sorry. Let there be what? And there was what? Now, you say that and you read that, but if you actually knew Genesis, there was no light that was manifested because he didn't create light until chap day three when he made the sun, moons, and stars. [00:11:26]

So what did God see? He saw his son because he recognizes that one once I say it, Jesus does it. And I recognize that my son is light all by itself. He he he is the light. We'll get into that next week. But I need you to understand the context that Jesus is the word of God. Not from the aspect of just a thought, but an action. Imagine this. Imagine that anything you say, you have a person that makes it happen. [00:12:22]

No matter how crazy it is, no matter how long it takes, all you got to do is say it and all of a sudden it gets done. All of a sudden, your words are not ethereal abstract thoughts. They are actions. That is who Jesus is. He is the word of God manifested. Now, that that's hard to think because I don't know about you, but I say a lot of things to my kids and nothing changes. So, sometimes it's hard to imagine like, can you imagine everything I say actually happens? [00:12:50]

God through his son is able to say, "Let there be light." And Jesus says, "Say less. I got it." And God can wait three days to actually make the sun, moon, and the stars. But because his word is already active, it's already lit. Then God does something I love. In scripture, often times you'll see the word of the Lord came to Isaiah. The word of the Lord came to this prophet and we read it as like, oh, they just got this random thought. No, they encountered Jesus. [00:13:34]

The word of the Lord Jesus came to that changes how you view scripture because we oftent times we we we have to recognize that this expression is found 252 time 252 times just in the new in the King James version. That's 239 times in the Old Testament and 13 times in the New Testament. Why would 239 times it need to say the word of the Lord came to? Because God was creating a precedent. He was he was he was setting a standard that when I say something, I mean it. [00:14:04]

Not just do I mean it, but this isn't a word that you just think like it's it was the difference between is that God was that God that said it was that and Jesus would be like allow me to reintroduce myself. Listen and there was authority behind the word of the Lord came to and every time you see that in scripture it changes the trajectory of that person's entire life. [00:14:51]

All words are not created equal. I hope you realize this. I know we're big on equality in America and everything, but I just want you to know according to the kingdom, it that's a different conversation. All words are not created equal. What do you mean by that? Well, she asked who said it because depending on who said it, that depends on how much weight she gives to it. Because there's certain people that have an opinion, but she doesn't really care about their opinion. [00:15:57]

It matters to her who said the word because that then determines how much weight she'll put into the word and how she'll respond to what was spoken. Let me ask you this. How many opinions are you listening to? better question. How many opinions are you listening to that shouldn't hold weight in your life? [00:16:31]

But, but but I want to ask you because I'm not special. All of us live in that tension of am I listening to the stats? Am I listening to the diagnosis? Am I listening to the expert I saw on TikTok who's not really an expert? They're a teenager with an iPhone. Am I listening to that person or am I trusting the word of God? Does the word of God carry enough weight to dictate the decisions I make for my life? [00:21:12]

Well, if you see the word as just words, then it won't. But if you see the word as Jesus, then it will. And if you believe that Jesus, the word of God, can say something and you don't even see it, like let there be light in Chandler, let there be a legacy church in Chandler. There's too many churches, but there's not that one. But you can't reach those people. But he can. But I haven't seen it work before. It was three days before we saw light work, period. But God said it was good anyway. [00:21:36]

And so that's the first thing you have to identify with Jesus is is is him being the word of God enough for you. Does that carry weight in your life? Now, one of the most inaccurate statements that you'll hear the more you dig into this Christianity rabbit hole is you'll hear people say stuff like, "Well, I'm a New Testament Christian." And I want to tell you why that's inaccurate. Because if you're a follower of Jesus, you believe the Old Testament and New Testament because you recognize that Jesus was popping up all throughout both because the word of the Lord came to the prophets so many times in Old Testament scripture and he only had to show up 13 times cuz then the body was there. [00:22:14]

So John chapter 8 says this, this is Jesus talking. I tell you the truth. Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die. The people said, say that with me. The people said that's what that that's the tension because well the word says yeah but the people say the people said now we now we know you were possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died. But you say anyone who obeys my teachings will never die. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are? [00:23:01]

Jesus answered, "If I want to glory, if I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my father who will glorify me. You say he is our God, but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great as a liar as you. But I do know him and obey him." Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad. The people said, "You aren't even 50 years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am." [00:23:39]

At that point, they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden from them and left the temple. Wow. Before Abraham was even born, I am. Now, that triggered them because they recognized the only person who's ever said, "I am was God himself when he was speaking to Moses." So, this 30some whippersnapper is telling these religious experts and people before Abraham even was. I am. That's a bold statement. But what he was articulating is the fact that he is not regulated to the Old Testament or the New Testament. [00:24:18]

He is not regulated to space or time because before Abraham or anything else existed, he already did. That's the second thing you need to know about Jesus. Jesus has always existed. Matter of fact, say always. Because that's a hard thing to fathom because there's nothing that we see in the world that is a always thing. You guys remember how cool you thought you were when you used to dress that way back in the day? You see, I got to leave back in the day as a blanket statement because this is a multigenerational thing. [00:24:44]

And then you look back and you were like, "Yeah, that didn't last." Remember that relationship you were so hyped about? You were in love. We'll always be together. Always is like six weeks. So for us, it's sometimes hard to fathom always because we're like, "Okay, but when did it start?" Well, always ago. No, no, no, but like when did Jesus show up? Yeah, always. Okay, I get that. But but who made Jesus? He always existed. [00:25:31]

I actually find comfort in a faith that is based in always, not right now. are new. Give me something that has always worked as opposed to a fad or a new discovery or what's working now. Give me always. And Jesus has always existed. And the Pharisees, the religious experts, and these are smart individuals, they couldn't fathom that because for them, their beginning started with Abraham once God called Abraham. And Jesus is like, "But I'm I'm the word that showed up to Abraham." [00:25:51]

The first issue you should have is that Jehovah's Witnesses will say that Jesus was a former angel who was created and he existed as as Mike Michael the archangel but then when he came to earth he took on the form of Jesus. Now, that could sound maybe plausible, except that's not what my word says. Because the word says out of Jesus's own mouth, the way he articulated it. Because hey, maybe that's some thing you thought of when you researched the scriptures and you were trying to correlate time. I get it. But what does Jesus say about himself? [00:28:04]

And Jesus himself says, "Before Abraham was, I am." In the beginning was the word. The word was with God. The word was God. All things were created through. So how would Jesus create himself if he's just an angel? That would violate John 1. So I don't know how Christian you can be if you don't recognize Christ as being who Christ says he is. So you got to make sure you're following the right Jesus. [00:28:39]

So the word became human and made his home among us. He was full of love, unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the father's one and only son. Everybody say one and only. Now that matters. Matter of fact, that's the third thing. Jesus is the one and only son of God. Now, there's other forms of Christianity according to Wikipedia that will say hypo like Mormonism that yeah, Jesus, we're the church of Jesus Christ, but we recognize that Jesus was a son, not the son. [00:29:10]

Lucifer is another son of God. That's what Uncle John Smith or Joe Smith or whatever his name is is is was teaching. Well, the problem becomes when I read John 1 where it says that we have seen his glory, the glory of the father's one and only son. Because I don't know about you, but in Greek, in Latin, in Hebrew, in English, and in Spanish, in Ebonics, only means only. Like I don't care how you read like only means only. [00:29:58]

So when the word says that he is the one and only son, I need you to also recognize that he's not the only son in the sense of being born or created, but in the sense of being a son who is exactly like the father in all attributes. Have you ever met a kid and you're like, "You look just like your daddy. You your daddy's son." Like spitting images. That is what that is who Jesus is. That's why Jesus himself said, "If you see me, you've seen the father." [00:30:48]

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