It’s All About Jesus

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It's All About Jesus!

There are many different passages we could turn to for our text today! For the last message I will bring as the preaching elder of our church, I simply want us to focus on Jesus. The life of a Christian is to be all about Jesus!... The focus of the church is to be all about Jesus!

The world is filled with conflicting voices, calling for your attention and devotion… They all serve to distract, dissuade, or delude you in your following after Christ!... It is not only the challenge for the individual believer, but it is a constant challenge for the local church as well! Many churches have lost their way in trying to attract people, that they've lost focus in The Way…

So today, we are being reminded of just Who should occupy our attention!... The writer of Hebrews says –

Hebrews 12:1b-2a

… let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith …

Living in this fallen world, we are surrounded by competing voices, trying to distract, dissuade, or discourage the believer, and the church from following after Christ!

But listen, dear Christian… You can have no greater purpose in all of life, than to follow the Lord Jesus! Life is all about Jesus!

To center our thoughts today, let's turn to just a couple of passages that not only inform us, but … captivates us to Christ!

Let's consider for a moment a simple reading of God's Word about Christ. Again, though there are other great passages, we will focus on, let's allow the opening words of the gospel of John, and two passages pinned by the Apostle Paul to prepare our minds for what we are about to consider…

John 1:1-5, 9-14

1 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 came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1:15-20

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Philippians 2:1-11

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We begin today by considering –

1. The Person Jesus Is

This first point alone is enough for everyone to fall prostrate before Him!...

The Bible is clear that Jesus is no ordinary person! From Genesis to Revelation, God's redemptive plan centers on His Son. Jesus is not merely a teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker, or a religious figure… He is the eternal Son of God, the Savior, King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Let's first consider that fact that –

Jesus is Fully God

Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem. He existed from eternity.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Colossians 2:9

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

The Bible is clear to reveal that Jesus is –

Jesus is the Creator

John 1:3

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Jesus is the Sustainer

Hebrews 1:3

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Jesus is the Lord

Philippians 2:11

and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is The Great "I AM"

John 8:58

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am."

Jesus is not one way to God – He is the Only Way! (John 14:6) and He is God Who came to us!

The Bible clearly reveals that not only is He fully God, but –

Jesus is Fully Man

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As a man –

Jesus experienced Hunger

Matthew 4:2

And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

Jesus experienced Weariness

John 4:6

and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

Jesus experienced Sorrow

John 11:35

Jesus wept.

Jesus experienced Temptation

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Did you catch the end of the verse?... Jesus experienced the full onslaught of temptation – Yet He was without sin! He was the perfect Lamb of God, without spot or blemish! (John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Because He became one of us, He can represent us before God.

Not only is Jesus fully God, and fully man –

Jesus is the Perfect Revelation of God

John 14:9

Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

How has Jesus shown us the Father?

Get this!

His compassion reveals God's heart (Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13)
His holiness reveals God's character (Luke 1:35, Acts 3:14, Revelation 3:7, Mark 1:24)
His power reveals God's authority (Matthew 28:18, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:3, Luke 8:24, Matthew 8:16, Philippians 3:21)
His sacrifice reveals God's love (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8)

The Person of Christ is enough for us to understand that He is worthy of all our worship, our devotion, … our obedience! But the Scriptures also speak to another great truth about Christ that commands our following after Him, and that is –

2. The Purpose Jesus Fulfills

We could spend all day thinking on this point alone!...

Let me offer a quick perusal of Scriptures, that reveal the unique and divine purpose in Jesus coming to this world!... Jesus' purpose is understood in –

His Motive and Mission

There are several aspects to Jesus' coming to the earth that are addressed in the N.T… For time's sake, let's just list a few –

Jesus came to seek and save

Now listen to this carefully… Jesus said –

Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Sinners don't seek Jesus, He seeks them!...

This of course is a primary reason for His coming… There were those opposed Jesus at every turn… They existed then. They are still around today…

Jesus gave a sobering reply!

Luke 5:30-32

30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Jesus came to serve and sacrifice

He came to serve and give His life…

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

We will actually develop this a little further in a few moments…

We also see that –

Jesus came to regenerate and restore

He came to bring life – spiritual life to spiritually dead, but to even go beyond that, to give abundant life.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Jesus came to destroy and deliver

That is, He came to destroy the devil's works.

1 John 3:8

the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

Just when was this victory over the devil won?... Hang on to that thought for a few more moments…

So, the purpose of Jesus' coming is seen in His work and mission… And more specifically, the purpose of Jesus' coming is seen in –

His Death and Resurrection

Listen, this is the very heart of the gospel!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Christ died for us while we were sinners

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

He bore our sins on the cross

1 Peter 2:24

and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

He became sin so we could become righteous

2 Corinthians 5:21

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Isaiah 53:5

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

He was raised for our justification

Romans 4:25

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

He disarmed spiritual rulers and authorities

Colossians 2:15

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

So, when did Jesus accomplish this?... Let's read this passage in its context. Listen again, beginning at verse :13 –

Colossians 2:13-15

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

The victory was won, when Jesus said –

John 19:30

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

One Jesus accomplished His work, He –

Hebrews 10:12

but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God,

– offered His sacrifice to the Father, sat down at His side, and … get this … today, –

His Current and Ongoing Work

He lives forever to intercede for believers.

Hebrews 7:25

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

He is preparing a place for us!

John 14:3

If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

3. The Position Jesus Occupies

There is really just one word that describes the position Jesus occupies – it is the word; preeminent! Preeminence means first place, supreme, unrivaled, and above all.

Colossians 1:18 (ESV)

And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.

Jesus is preeminent –

In Creation

"For by Him all things were created..." — Colossians 1:16

Every star, planet, mountain, and living creature exists because of Him and for Him.

Creation points to Christ.

In Redemption

No one else could accomplish salvation.

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."

No religious system, good works, or human effort can save. Salvation is given by Christ, and is found in Him alone!

In the Church

Ephesians 5:23

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

Listen, the church exists:

To worship Him
To proclaim Him
To obey Him
To glorify Him

The church is strongest when Christ remains at the center.

In Eternity

One day every knee will bow.

Philippians 2:10-11

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Kings, rulers, nations, and peoples will acknowledge His lordship… The story of history ends with Jesus exalted.