What Is Christianity?

What is Christianity?

1 John 1:1-4

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

“Number of years ago, in preparation for a discussion period on a Christian radio program, an interviewer went into the streets of Philadelphia to ask people this question: “What is Christianity?” The answers were surprising. Some said that Christianity is “the American way of life.” Others called it “an organization.” It was “an ethic.” One man termed Christianity “a tool used by capitalists to repress the poor.” When the interviewer tried to help the people by asking, “And who is Jesus Christ?” The answers were even more outlandish. He was called “pure essence of energy,” “a good man,” “our leader.” Many replied, “I am not sure.... I just don’t know.”

The multitude of thoughts and perspectives on the meaning of life, the nature of God, and the existence of an afterlife is as diverse as the individuals who ponder these profound questions. Even within the Christian community, the challenge of achieving solidarity and unity has resulted in the proliferation of varying beliefs across some 45,000 denominations. Amidst the endless array of conflicting perspectives on God, numerous Christians have come to place less importance on or have lost touch with their beliefs and roughly one-third of the U.S. population now identifies as either atheists or agnostics. Effectively carrying out the responsibilities of being royal priests and ambassadors for Christ, tasked with spreading the Good News, has never been more challenging and simultaneously crucial! And yet despite the prevalence of lukewarmness and heretical beliefs of this fallen world, can we not recognize the true ripeness of the fields (Matthew 9:37-38)? Do the lost souls who yearn for the freedom to navigate the vast, often contradictory seas of disbelief or uncertainty about God, created in His image and carrying eternity within their hearts, not also long to have a relationship with Him? And while many will be given over to their reprobate minds (Romans 1:28), will not the truth concerning Christ be seeds to others, effectively pointing them to the way, truth, and life (John 14:6)? The following sermon will delve into 1 John 1:1-4 with the aim of unveiling the genuine identity of Christ and explaining how this divine-human figure serves as the gateway to establishing fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus.

Meeting the Word of Life – Divine Jesus

“That which was from the beginning” (1a)

When composing this letter to the churches of Asia Minor, it was addressed to a congregation predominately made up of second and third generation Christians who had, over time, become somewhat complacent in their theological beliefs. Jesus, for John, is God’s self-revelation to the world. Though we place much emphasis on developing all things new, the ancient world placed great importance on continuity with the past. Bearing this in mind John boldly states that Christ’s existence did not commence in Bethlehem, where He laid in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, as if He were a created being. Instead, John asserts that being God, the Son always existed! John’s words resonate with the message of John 1:1, where He affirms that, from the very beginning, the Word existed, was with God, and was God. Furthermore, it’s not only that Christ existed “prior to the foundation of the world,” but Genesis 1:1 also makes it clear that He played a vital role as the agent of creation. “Jesus was the only man who had a heavenly Father, but no heavenly mother; who had an earthly mother but no earthly father; who was older than his mother and who was as old as his Father.” John is right to conclude that Jesus is fully God and thus eternal. When Christ turned the water into wine, healed the official’s son, healed people of leprosy, healed the blind and the sick, calmed storms, casted out demons, fed the four and five thousand, and raised people from the dead; He was not doing these miracles to prove He was a great prophet but instead that as God He firmly has authority over all things seen and unseen (Colossians 1:16)! Christ is not just a really good person, a great prophet, or an imaginary being as the atheists would have us believe; He is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8), the ruler of all Creation (Revelation 3:14), Beloved Son of God (Matthew 12:18), Bread of life (John 6:32), Good Shepherd (John 10:11), the Cornerstone (Psalms 118:22); and our Lord, Savior and King!

Reflection. Although Jesus is a well-known name, His identity as the Son of God remains largely unrecognized or accepted by many. Despite the challenging times we face, there is also a significant opportunity for people to discover and embrace the teachings of our Lord, as the fields are now ripe.

Meeting the Word of Life – Human Jesus