Jesus Is...

Scripture Reference: Luke 22:66-71

Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on March 20, 2022

Delivered by John Daniel Johnson

Scripture Reading

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” 70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” 71 And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.”

(Luke 22:66-71)

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

(Luke 6:46-48)

Who is Jesus to you? Does it matter what you believe about Him? Some say it does not matter what you believe as long as you believe. Instead of seeking man’s opinion I want to look at what Jesus had to say about this subject.

Teddy Bear Story

Growing up, the girls often wanted me to go to bed with them. I always had my assigned spot in the bed (laying on by back with a child snuggled up under my left arm and another child under my right arm). Occasionally, they still ask to go to sleep with dear old dad. This past week, they wanted to spend the night at their grandmother’s house, but instead of sleeping in the bed with grandma, they slept in one of the other bedrooms. When they returned home the next day, I asked them about their night at grandmas.

They told me that during the night they got scared. Instead of crawling into the bed with grandma, they tiptoed into the toy room and got a stuffed animal. It was no ordinary stuffed animal. It is one of these huge, fat teddy bears. They brought the bear back to bed, put the bear in the middle, and both snugged up under the arms of the bear.

Here’s the point of this story: I got replaced by a cheap substitute. The father was replaced by something that could not offer any real protection, warmth, or love.

Unfortunately, many of us in this room today have replaced the real Jesus with cheap, temporary fixes and comforts. I want to share with you this morning that nothing can replace Jesus in my life! Nothing on this earth can ever take His place.

Transitional Sentence

“Jesus Is ______________ ” is an unfinished sentence. How would you fill in the blank?

Truth:

Your understanding of Jesus will impact how you love Him, serve Him, worship Him, and your commitment level to Him.

Christianity Today Article

Christianity Today released an article conducted by Lifeway where they asked 3,000 Americas about their beliefs.

? Nearly 70% stated that sin deserves eternal damnation.

? 58% said that attending church is not needed.

? 59% said that the Holy Spirit is a force or feeling, and not a personal being.

? 60% said that their belief about Jesus and the Bible is a matter of personal opinion.

? 44% stated that homosexuality is not forbidden in the Bible

? 52% stated that abortion is not a sin.

? 51% stated that God accepts worship from all faith religions.

? 78% stated that Jesus was the first and greatest being created by God.

Jewish Understanding of the Coming Messiah

? Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah: Genesis 49:10 (Hebrew)

? Messiah would be a descendant of King David: 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (Hebrew)

? Messiah was to be born at Bethlehem: Micah 5:2 (Hebrew – Micah 5:1)

? Messiah would arrive before the destruction of the Second Temple: Daniel 9:24-27 (Hebrew)

? Messiah would present himself by riding on a donkey: Zechariah 9:9 (Hebrew)

? Messiah would be tortured to death: Psalm 22:1-31 (Hebrew)

? Messiah’s life would match a particular description, including suffering, silence at his arrest and trial, death and burial in a rich man’s tomb, and resurrection: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (Hebrew – Is. 52; Hebrew – Is. 53)

A little over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ left the throne room of Heaven and chose to be born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died in our place upon Mount Calvary as a substitute for me, defeated the grave and now sits at the right hand of the LORD God. Right now, when I sin, He turns to the Father and intercedes on my behalf.