The Portrait Of The Savior Series

This is the start of a new 3 part series that is designed to teach the 3 dimensions that we all must experience in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

When you think of dimension, what comes to mind? Maybe those funky glasses that you used to put on at the movie theater so you could see the movie in 3D. Or the careful measurements of some special project you’ve worked on.

If you were asked the average person on the street, “What does your whole life revolve around” This is what they would say…

- Hugh Hefner would say, “Women”

- Donald Trump would say, “Money”

- O.J. Simpson would say, “Me!”

- Anna Nicole before she died would say, “Pleasure”

- Terry Bradshaw would say, “Sports”

- Budweiser would, “Go for the gusto!”

How shallow!

What is your entire life built around? I will tell you what my entire life is built around… Jesus Christ! And the way I see everything is first connected to him! As a Christian, our entire life in glued to the belief that there is no one or no one thing that compares to the person of Jesus Christ!

John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I come that they (sheep) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

This one verse gives most of us plenty of struggle, lots of mystery and (if we are honest) this verse even exposes our doubts.

“Abundantly” = more sufficient, beyond measure, extraordinary. This verse is the only one of 22 verses when it’s used that it does not primarily mean overflowing.

Daniel 5:12 “Inasmuch as an excellent sprit, knowledge, understanding…were found in him.”

Before we can understand the sufficient, abundant life – we need to sufficiently, abundantly believe in an extraordinary God!

I used the word “portrait” for a good reason…because based on your personal portrait of God that determines your personal possession of Jesus Christ. Do you even have Him included in your painting – the cults do not – let no one fool you!

Do you believe in the deepest part of your heart, that Jesus Christ is one of a kind, an extraordinary Savior? Now, if you “Amen” that statement, then your life should reflect that “amen”! Our lives should reflect the 3 dimensions of abundance through our relationship with Jesus on a daily basis!

The first dimension to abundance is found in the portrait of the Savior!

In all of human history there never has been anyone like Jesus Christ! More than 2000 years ago there was man born contrary to the laws of life. This man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. Only once did He cross the boundaries in which He lived. As an infant he startled a king, and in childhood He puzzled doctors. In manhood He ruled the course of nature. He never wrote a book and yet all the libraries in the world cannot contain the books written about Him. He never wrote a song but more songs have been sung about Him then anyone else. He never founded a collage, but all the schools put together could not boast of having as many students. Though time has spread many years between the people of this generation and the scene of His death – yet He still lives. Herod could not destroy Him and the grave could not hold Him. He stands forth upon the highest pinnacle of heavenly glory, proclaimed by God, acknowledged by angels, adored by saints, and feared by demons as the living Christ, our Lord, our Savior and our God!

There is nobody like Jesus Christ! And if he is all that – surely He can give us abundant life! Hebrews 1

1. Jesus Is Unique Because He Created The Universe. Vs. 1, 2

Now just don’t blow by that bold statement – that ought to raise our interest! That is one of the most important fragments to one of the most important sentences ever written!

You say, “Why is that so important?” Because the Christ of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament! That means the baby in the manger 2000 years ago is none other than the God who created everything you see today and will see in eternity!

Colossians 1:16 “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him.”

The stamp of Christ is on everything! Without His stamp nothing exists! That’s truly amazing! Now, I know that this is foreign to many here! I know that this is contrary to evolution – but let me remind you that it takes more faith to believe in the evolution of nothing than it does to believe that God created out of nothing!