Understanding the True Nature of Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our One Hit Wonder series, focusing on the often-overlooked single-chapter books of the Bible. Today, we delve into 2 John, a brief yet powerful letter that addresses the critical issue of understanding who Jesus truly is. In our culture, there's a tendency to reinvent Jesus to fit our personal preferences, but this is dangerous and can lead us away from the truth.
We began by discussing the cultural phenomenon of relative truth, where people create their own versions of truth based on personal experiences and perceptions. This mindset has infiltrated how some perceive Jesus, leading to various misconceptions. This isn't a new issue; even in the first century, people were already questioning and redefining who Jesus was. John, one of Jesus' closest apostles, wrote 2 John to address these misconceptions and to affirm the true nature of Jesus.
John's letter emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. This dual nature is crucial for our salvation. If Jesus were not fully human, His death on the cross would not have been a real sacrifice, and if He were not fully divine, He would not have had the power to conquer death and offer us eternal life. John warns against deceivers who deny Jesus' humanity and divinity, labeling them as antichrists.
We also explored how modern culture often tries to make Jesus more palatable by reducing Him to a mere moral teacher or a "buddy" figure. This is a form of idolatry, as it creates a false image of Jesus that is easier to accept but ultimately powerless to save. True discipleship involves conforming our lives to the real Jesus, not reinventing Him to justify our lifestyles.
John's letter calls us to walk in truth and love, obeying Jesus' commandments and loving one another. This love is not self-centered but others-focused, reflecting the sacrificial love Jesus demonstrated. The most loving thing we can do is to lead others to the true Jesus, sharing the good news of His life, death, and resurrection.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Danger of Relative Truth: In a culture that promotes "my truth," it's easy to fall into the trap of creating our own versions of Jesus. This is dangerous because it leads us away from the absolute truth of who Jesus is, as revealed in Scripture. We must guard against this by grounding our understanding in the Bible. [06:06]
2. Jesus' Dual Nature: Understanding that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine is crucial for our salvation. His humanity made His sacrifice on the cross real, and His divinity gave Him the power to conquer death. Denying either aspect of His nature undermines the foundation of our faith. [23:34]
3. Cultural Misconceptions: Modern culture often tries to make Jesus more relatable by reducing Him to a mere moral teacher or a "buddy" figure. This is a form of idolatry that creates a false image of Jesus. True discipleship involves conforming our lives to the real Jesus, not reinventing Him to fit our preferences. [15:34]
4. Walking in Truth and Love: John's letter emphasizes the importance of walking in truth and love. This means obeying Jesus' commandments and loving one another sacrificially. Our love should be others-focused, reflecting the love Jesus demonstrated for us. [21:48]
5. Leading Others to Jesus: The most loving thing we can do is to lead others to the true Jesus. This involves both sharing the gospel verbally and demonstrating Jesus' love through our actions. True discipleship means making disciples who follow the real Jesus, not a reinvented version. [42:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Introduction to One Hit Wonder Series
[03:40] - Joan Osborne's One Hit Wonder
[04:58] - Cultural Questions About God
[06:06] - The Danger of Relative Truth
[07:12] - Early Church Misconceptions
[09:24] - Modern Misconceptions and Christian Cults
[11:36] - Reddit's Perspective on Jesus
[15:34] - Cultural Misconceptions of Jesus
[19:52] - Importance of Jesus' Dual Nature
[23:34] - Docetism and Early Heresies
[27:10] - Scriptural Affirmation of Jesus' Humanity
[31:01] - Scriptural Affirmation of Jesus' Divinity
[34:43] - Conforming to the Real Jesus
[39:24] - Walking in Truth and Love
[42:04] - Leading Others to Jesus
[45:39] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 John 1:1-11 (NIV)
2. John 1:14 (NIV) - "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."
3. Colossians 1:19 (NIV) - "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does John emphasize about Jesus' nature in 2 John 1:7? How does he describe those who deny this truth? ([22:26])
2. According to John 1:14, what significant event does this verse describe about Jesus? How does this support the sermon’s message about Jesus' humanity and divinity?
3. In Colossians 1:19, what does Paul say about the fullness of God in relation to Jesus? How does this verse affirm Jesus' divinity?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it dangerous to create our own version of Jesus based on personal preferences, according to the sermon? ([06:29])
2. How does understanding Jesus' dual nature (fully human and fully divine) impact our faith and salvation? ([25:13])
3. What are some modern cultural misconceptions about Jesus mentioned in the sermon, and why are they problematic? ([15:34])
4. How does John’s call to walk in truth and love challenge our daily lives and interactions with others? ([21:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you might have been tempted to reinvent Jesus to fit your personal preferences. How can you ground your understanding of Jesus more firmly in Scripture? ([06:29])
2. How does recognizing Jesus' dual nature (fully human and fully divine) change the way you view His sacrifice on the cross? ([25:13])
3. In what ways have you seen cultural misconceptions about Jesus influence your own or others' understanding of Him? How can you address these misconceptions in your conversations? ([15:34])
4. John emphasizes walking in truth and love. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate sacrificial love to those around you this week? ([21:48])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of leading others to the true Jesus. Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about the real Jesus. How can you share the gospel with them this week? ([42:04])
6. How can you ensure that your love for others is others-focused and not self-centered? What specific actions can you take to reflect Jesus' sacrificial love? ([39:24])
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of discipleship. What steps can you take to grow as a disciple and help others become disciples of the real Jesus? ([44:04])
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Relative Truth
In today's culture, the concept of "my truth" has become prevalent, leading many to create their own versions of Jesus based on personal experiences and perceptions. This mindset is dangerous because it deviates from the absolute truth of who Jesus is, as revealed in Scripture. When we mold Jesus to fit our preferences, we risk following a false image that cannot save us. Instead, we must ground our understanding of Jesus in the Bible, which provides the unchanging truth about His nature and mission. [06:06]
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you might be tempted to reshape Jesus to fit your preferences. How can you seek the true Jesus as revealed in Scripture instead?
Day 2: Jesus' Dual Nature
Understanding that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine is essential for our salvation. His humanity made His sacrifice on the cross real, and His divinity gave Him the power to conquer death and offer us eternal life. Denying either aspect of His nature undermines the foundation of our faith. John warns against deceivers who deny Jesus' humanity and divinity, labeling them as antichrists. Recognizing and embracing Jesus' dual nature helps us appreciate the depth of His love and the magnitude of His sacrifice. [23:34]
Colossians 2:9 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."
Reflection: Reflect on how Jesus' humanity and divinity impact your understanding of His sacrifice. How does this dual nature influence your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Cultural Misconceptions
Modern culture often tries to make Jesus more relatable by reducing Him to a mere moral teacher or a "buddy" figure. This is a form of idolatry that creates a false image of Jesus. True discipleship involves conforming our lives to the real Jesus, not reinventing Him to fit our preferences. When we follow a culturally redefined Jesus, we miss out on the transformative power of the true Jesus. Embracing the real Jesus means allowing Him to challenge and change us, even when it's uncomfortable. [15:34]
2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV): "For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough."
Reflection: Consider how you might have been influenced by cultural misconceptions of Jesus. What steps can you take to ensure you are following the true Jesus?
Day 4: Walking in Truth and Love
John's letter emphasizes the importance of walking in truth and love. This means obeying Jesus' commandments and loving one another sacrificially. Our love should be others-focused, reflecting the love Jesus demonstrated for us. Walking in truth involves adhering to the teachings of Jesus and living out His commandments in our daily lives. Walking in love means putting others' needs before our own and showing the same sacrificial love that Jesus showed us. [21:48]
1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can show sacrificial love to someone in your life today. How can you walk in both truth and love in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Leading Others to Jesus
The most loving thing we can do is to lead others to the true Jesus. This involves both sharing the gospel verbally and demonstrating Jesus' love through our actions. True discipleship means making disciples who follow the real Jesus, not a reinvented version. By living out our faith authentically and sharing the good news of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, we can help others encounter the transformative power of the true Jesus. [42:04]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who needs to know the true Jesus. How can you share the gospel with them and demonstrate Jesus' love through your actions this week?
Quotes
1. "When it comes to Jesus and when it comes to God, we're in dangerous territory when we begin to say, I'm going to invent my own truth about Jesus. Because then we suddenly begin to put, you know, a real God who has absolute ways that he has defined the way we live and the world he has created. And we begin to brush again, and we begin to put ourselves in dangerous territory. We can put our lives in chaos. We can hurt the people around us by doing that. And moreover, we even put our eternal life at risk." [06:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "People questioning who Jesus was and trying to make up their own version of Jesus is not new in culture. In fact, it really even began even in the very first century. So today we're looking at John, and John was an apostle, right? He was one of the 12 apostles. Now, interestingly enough, John was the only apostle who was not martyred, meaning he was not killed for his faith. I'll put dot, dot, dot, successfully. They tried. They tried. They tried to boil him alive. It did not work. It was a miracle of God." [07:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If Jesus' death on the cross and the shedding of his blood is required for our salvation because we needed blood for forgiveness and I'll go to that scripture here in a second. If that didn't actually happen with a real physical body then we don't have salvation from the cross. It's really important that Jesus is fully human. Go to Hebrews chapter 9 verse 22 if you like. It says this. In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." [26:22] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If Jesus wasn't fully human. Think about this for a second. If Jesus' death on the cross and the shedding of his blood is required for our salvation because we needed blood for forgiveness and I'll go to that scripture here in a second. If that didn't actually happen with a real physical body then we don't have salvation from the cross. It's really important that Jesus is fully human. Go to Hebrews chapter 9 verse 22 if you like. It says this. In fact the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." [26:22] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see for Jesus to die on the cross I mean anyone can die on the cross and anyone could even claim to forgive you of your sins on the cross but it could be a lie and here's why. Because the person who dies on the cross for sins for all of humanity has to be perfect. Has to be the perfect sacrifice. And as human beings without the divine within us naturally we are under the curse of Adam. We sin all the time. Whether we like it or not we do it, don't we? And you know we could not be perfect and go to the cross. Not a single human could be perfect to go to the cross and make that sacrifice for all of humankind." [33:05] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I will conform my life to Jesus and not reinvent Jesus to justify my lifestyle. Now here's the good news in this point is all of this effort is actually not on you. We actually have help in it. So let's take a look at Romans 12 verse 2. Romans 12 verse 2. It says this. Don't copy the pattern or don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect." [37:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I will be others-focused and not self-focused. Because when you learn about who the real Jesus is and you conform yourself to who Jesus is this is Jesus' most central teaching is it not? That we love one another. That we love one another. This is the biggest challenge. You know we have a very big tendency especially in America and with all the voices of the world to kind of live our own lives desire to have you know our own house and grow our own wealth and do our own things and it's very easy to forget that our focus needs to be on others." [39:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I will do the most loving thing possible and that is to lead others to Jesus. And this is really what John was after in his letter. He was like look I want you to continue walking in the command. It's grace and truth. Make sure people know the real Jesus. Don't let people speak about the wrong Jesus because it's going to lead them astray. I need you to walk in the truth. I need you to love people that Jesus loved them." [42:04] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We have a culture that very much screws up this idea of love because we have one word in the Bible culture you'll look in the New Testament there are like three words for love. And so you'll hear from culture like well you know God says to love one another so you know I can love whoever I want to but they're really talking about eros which is erotic love and that is not the kind of love that we're talking about here. We're talking about agape love which is a love that is that is good and faithful and kind and keeps no record of wrongs." [42:48] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You are a disciple who should be making disciples. And so if you're interested in getting better plugged into discipleship if you want to know how to do discipleship better we have lots of tools and resources. We just finished a series a few weeks ago on discipleship where we looked at a really great book called 21 Days to Making Disciples. I think there's even a copy still out there at the welcome booth. You can take it with you if you want to do that today and you didn't get a copy yet." [44:04] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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