Understanding Jesus: The Dual Nature and Our Faith
Summary
In today's gathering, we embarked on a new journey through the Letters of John, leaving behind the Book of Judges. As we transition, it's important to acknowledge the struggles many in our community are facing, particularly those affected by governmental decisions impacting their jobs. We took a moment to pray for peace and divine intervention, recognizing that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including those that seem beyond our control.
The Letters of John, though small in size, carry a significant impact, much like transistors or zippers. These letters address critical theological issues, particularly the identity of Jesus as both God and man. This dual nature is not a trivial theological point but a cornerstone of our faith. If Jesus were not divine, He would lack the power to conquer sin and offer salvation. Conversely, if He were not truly human, His death would not have been a genuine sacrifice for our sins.
False teachings about Jesus' identity were prevalent in the early church and continue to surface today. These teachings subtly undermine the truth of who Jesus is, often cloaked in seemingly benign or progressive language. It's crucial for us to discern these falsehoods and hold fast to the truth of Jesus' divinity and humanity.
John's letters are a call to remain steadfast in our faith, to test every spirit, and to ensure that our beliefs align with the truth of the Gospel. The evidence of Jesus' dual nature is not only found in scripture but also in the transformed lives of believers throughout history. The change in John himself, from an uneducated fisherman to a bold proclaimer of the Gospel, is a testament to the power of Jesus' transformative work.
As we delve into these letters, let us be encouraged and cautious. Let us audit the influences in our lives, ensuring they align with the truth of who Jesus is. For those exploring these teachings, know that the message of 1 John is woven with love, inviting you into a relationship with the true Jesus, who is both God and man.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer and Community Support: In times of uncertainty, especially with governmental decisions affecting livelihoods, it's vital to support one another through prayer and community. We must remember that God is sovereign over all, and His peace can transcend our understanding. [05:00]
- The Impact of Small Things: Just as small things like transistors and zippers have a significant impact, the Letters of John, though brief, address crucial theological truths about Jesus' identity that are foundational to our faith. [28:39]
- The Dual Nature of Jesus: Understanding Jesus as both God and man is essential. His divinity gives Him the power to save, while His humanity ensures His sacrifice was real. This truth is central to our salvation and must be guarded against false teachings. [33:21]
- Discernment Against False Teachings: False teachings about Jesus' identity persist today, often subtly undermining His divinity or humanity. We must be vigilant, testing every spirit and ensuring our beliefs align with the truth of the Gospel. [37:42]
- Transformed Lives as Evidence: The transformative power of Jesus is evident in the changed lives of believers. This change is a testament to His divinity and humanity, offering real hope and salvation to all who trust in Him. [51:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Transition from Judges to John
- [02:00] - Community Prayer for Government Workers
- [05:00] - Prayer for Peace and Presence
- [07:30] - Introduction to the Letters of John
- [10:00] - The Impact of Small Things
- [15:00] - Overview of John's Letters
- [20:00] - Theological Importance of Jesus' Identity
- [25:00] - False Teachings in the Early Church
- [30:00] - Modern Challenges to Jesus' Identity
- [35:00] - Discernment and Vigilance
- [40:00] - Evidence of Jesus' Divinity and Humanity
- [45:00] - Transformed Lives as Testimony
- [50:00] - Call to Action for Believers
- [55:00] - Invitation to Know the True Jesus
- [01:00:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Letters of John
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 1:1-4
2. John 1:14
3. Luke 24:39
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the small things mentioned in the sermon that have a significant impact, and how do they relate to the Letters of John? [28:39]
2. According to the sermon, what false teachings about Jesus' identity were prevalent in the early church, and how do they persist today? [33:21]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation in John's life, and what evidence does it provide of Jesus' dual nature? [51:37]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of firsthand testimony in understanding Jesus' identity? [42:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it crucial to understand Jesus as both God and man, according to the sermon and the passages from 1 John and John? [33:21]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the impact of false teachings on the identity of Jesus, and what are the potential consequences for believers? [37:42]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that transformed lives serve as evidence of Jesus' divinity and humanity? [51:37]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to discern and guard against false teachings about Jesus' identity? [59:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced uncertainty or fear due to external circumstances. How did prayer and community support help you find peace, as suggested in the sermon? [05:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of small things with a big impact. Can you identify a small change in your life that could have a significant impact on your faith journey?
3. How can you actively discern and guard against false teachings about Jesus' identity in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure your beliefs align with the truth of the Gospel? [37:42]
4. The sermon highlights the transformative power of Jesus in believers' lives. Can you share a personal testimony of how your life has been changed by your faith in Jesus? [51:37]
5. Consider the influences in your life, such as books, podcasts, or social media. How can you audit these influences to ensure they align with the truth of who Jesus is? [59:34]
6. The sermon calls for believers to be vigilant in testing every spirit. How can you practically apply this in your interactions with others and in your spiritual growth?
7. Reflect on the dual nature of Jesus as both God and man. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and your approach to sharing the Gospel with others? [33:21]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Prayer and Community Support
In times of uncertainty, especially when external factors like governmental decisions impact our lives, the power of prayer and community support becomes essential. It is in these moments that we are reminded of God's sovereignty over all circumstances. By coming together in prayer, we not only seek divine intervention but also find peace that transcends our understanding. This collective support strengthens our faith and reassures us that we are not alone in our struggles. [05:00]
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community is currently facing uncertainty? How can you offer them support through prayer and tangible acts of kindness today?
Day 2: Small Things with Great Impact
The Letters of John, though brief, carry profound theological truths that are foundational to our faith. Much like small objects such as transistors or zippers that have a significant impact, these letters address the critical issue of Jesus' identity as both God and man. This understanding is not merely academic; it is vital for our salvation. Recognizing the importance of these small yet powerful writings encourages us to delve deeper into scripture, appreciating the weight of every word. [28:39]
"For who has despised the day of small things? These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: What small aspect of your faith have you overlooked that could have a significant impact on your spiritual growth? How can you begin to nurture it today?
Day 3: The Dual Nature of Jesus
Understanding Jesus as both God and man is essential to our faith. His divinity gives Him the power to save, while His humanity ensures His sacrifice was real. This dual nature is not just a theological point but the cornerstone of our salvation. Without His divinity, Jesus would lack the power to conquer sin; without His humanity, His death would not be a genuine sacrifice. This truth must be guarded against false teachings that seek to undermine it. [33:21]
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." (Colossians 2:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' dual nature affect your view of salvation? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of this truth?
Day 4: Discernment Against False Teachings
False teachings about Jesus' identity have persisted since the early church and continue to surface today. These teachings often subtly undermine the truth of who Jesus is, using seemingly benign or progressive language. It is crucial for us to be vigilant, testing every spirit and ensuring our beliefs align with the truth of the Gospel. By doing so, we protect our faith and remain steadfast in the truth. [37:42]
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)
Reflection: What teachings or influences in your life need to be tested against the truth of the Gospel? How can you practice discernment in your daily walk with Christ?
Day 5: Transformed Lives as Evidence
The transformative power of Jesus is evident in the changed lives of believers throughout history. This change is a testament to His divinity and humanity, offering real hope and salvation to all who trust in Him. The transformation seen in individuals like John, who went from an uneducated fisherman to a bold proclaimer of the Gospel, serves as a powerful witness to the reality of Jesus' work in our lives. [51:37]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: How has your life been transformed by your relationship with Jesus? In what ways can you share your testimony to encourage others in their faith journey?
Quotes
And then zippers, and then Jay's wintery mix, and if you're local here, you know what that is, and then the letters of John. Here's what all these things are. They're small. But they have a huge impact, right? Transistors, without them, we wouldn't have computers. They're very small, but they have a huge impact. [00:27:19] (18 seconds)
John was straight and to the point when he wrote, these letters. He, do you have any friends who like, they just cut straight to the chase whenever you talk to them, right? You, you, you have a conversation with him. You feel like he got punched in the nose the moment you said hi. That's kind of John. He's not as like overt and potentially offensive as like James, but John is very abrupt. [00:31:14] (20 seconds)
Because if Jesus wasn't God or the Son of God, he doesn't have the power to conquer sin. If Jesus wasn't God, then he doesn't have the power to save us, to change lives, to guarantee eternity. If he's just a man, he can't do those things for us. But the other side of it is that if he didn't really come in the flesh, but instead was some kind of like spirit being hologram kind of thing, then he didn't really die an actual literal death. [00:32:57] (30 seconds)
It's an essential theology, but here's the issue. This sort of false doctrine about who Jesus is and who he wasn't, wasn't just a problem then, but you know it's still an issue today. You may not have noticed it. You may, because nobody comes out and says, hey, I'd like to attack the identity of Jesus today. Nobody does that. They say it in other ways, and I don't usually do this and like name names, but I'm feeling funny today, so here you go. [00:33:37] (31 seconds)
Jesus himself knew the importance of people personally experiencing the reality of who he was. He knew how important it would be for people to really believe that he really was God and he really was man. And after Jesus was raised from the dead, he was raised from the dead. He came to the disciples. Here's what he says in Luke chapter 24. He says, see my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. [00:45:42] (31 seconds)
One of the elements of the false teaching that was floating around in the early church and still today is that you can be a Christian and you can agree with point one of today's sermon that Jesus was God and man. There's a false teaching going around that you can agree with. That, but you don't have to personally change, right? You can just add Jesus to your life as fire insurance and go about your day. [00:50:44] (25 seconds)
That's one of the greatest evidences of the legitimacy of Jesus being God and man is that there are real changed lives that wouldn't have been changed any other way. Take John himself as an example. When Jesus found him, he was an uneducated fisherman. His life changed and after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended, Jesus was still uneducated in the traditional sense and he was still fishing, but he was different. [00:53:40] (27 seconds)
If you are a follower of Jesus here today, I really would implore you to do an audit of the books you read, the podcasts you listen to, the music you listen to, the accounts that you follow, the influencers that you follow. Do an audit to make sure that what you are reading and absorbing is not actually quietly undermining who Jesus is. Because this is real. [01:01:32] (30 seconds)
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