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January, 2008 Lessons to Convert Know “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 The“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 Truth “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4
This Month's Theme: “Jesus and His Father” Introduction: Arguably the most marked and celebrated event in the history of man has been the coming of Jesus “ the Christ ” as the Son of God . No one in the history of man has had a greater effect on mankind, nor as lasting an effect. In this lesson we want to look at some of the things that have led to this amazing impact. The coming of the Son of God was spoken of long before He actually came; by Messianic prophecy, note: 2 Samuel 7:12-14 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My Son . If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.” Psalm 2:6-7 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." 7 " I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son , Today I have begotten You.” At the baptism of Jesus, which marked the beginning of His ministry, God Himself spoke concerning His Son, note: Matthew 3:17 “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, " This is My beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased ." Later in His ministry, He took some of His chosen up to a mountain where He was transfigured into a Divine image. God again spoke concerning His Son, note: Matthew 17:5 “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, " This is My beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased . Hear Him !" In all of this, one of the most important markers that describe the relationship of the Son of God and His Father came in the words of the Savior Himself, note: John 10:30 “I and My Father are one." This is no doubt one of the most significant statements found in the Gospels with reference to Jesus and His Father. The remainder of this lesson will be spent examining some of the attributes of scripture that provide some explanation to this statement (as is always the case in a short piece of work, these are just some highlighted points). In addition, since it was the intent of the Gospel of John to emphasize the Divinity of Jesus so that we could have faith in Him being the Son of God ( John 20:30-31 ), we will highlight many passages from this text.
The Gospel of John describes Jesus prior to His coming as the Son of God, as “ the Word ”, note: John 1:1-3 “ In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God , and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him , and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
John 5:36 “But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish-- the very works that I do --bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me .”
John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
John 17:7-8 “Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.”
John 5:24-25 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”
John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This great plan for the salvation of man was originated by God from the beginning and was made manifest by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The church of Christ was God's eternal purpose in Christ, that man might have access to God, note: Ephesians 3:10-11 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Those who make up that church have become God's workmanship “In” Christ Jesus, note: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” This is the message of the Gospel, the very message of the unity in God's great plan, note: Romans 1:1-6 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord , who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness , by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;” Who is this Gospel for? Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature . 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Why is it important to you? Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes , for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
There Is Only One Lord, God, Body, Faith, and Baptism!
We invite you to worship with us: Sunday Morning Bible Study – 10 A.M. (Classes for all ages) Sunday Morning Worship – 10:50 A.M. (Communion, Prayer, Singing, and a Sermon) Sunday Evening Worship – 5 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and another practical lesson) Wednesday Evening Service – 7 P.M. (Singing, Prayer, and Bible Classes) Visit our web site at: plvcc.org
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