Thanks again for understanding about my not being able to visit with you yesterday. Since last Tuesday, I have had lots of irons in the fire. I won’t go into it --- it’s mostly preacher stuff. I love it, but it has kept me hopping like Peter Cottontail. You do remember Peter Cottontail, I’m sure. If not, Google him; I’ll bet he turns up somewhere on the net. I enjoy being busy with ministry duties. I enjoy meeting people and promoting our Church. I love promoting it because in turn it promotes the Lord Jesus Christ.
Speaking of promoting Jesus, did you get to read the two chapters in the Gospel of John that I suggested? If you did not, take your Bible and read John chapters 10 and 14 before you proceed. I’ll wait for you. They speak of Him, with most of it listening to Him speak. My Sunday message was “What If Jesus Is Who He Says He Is?” The Sermon notes are enclosed:
What If… Jesus Is Who He Says He Is?©
Various
What If Series By Victor Cooper
02/17,18,19/11
I. What did He claim? Jesus made many claims, but here are three.
A. John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
B. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
C. John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
II. What does it mean?
A. John 10:30
1 For Jesus to be one with the Father (albeit distinct from him) is tantamount to a claim to deity — Bible Background Commentary
2. The Jews understood His claim.
John 10:31-33 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
3. It means Jesus said He was God!
B. John 14:6
1. The Bible Knowledge Commentary:
Jesus is the “Way” because He is the “Truth” and the “Life.” As the Father is Truth and Life, Jesus is the embodiment of God so people can come to the Father. By His words, No one comes to the Father except through Me, Jesus stressed that salvation, contrary to what many people think, is not obtainable through many ways. Only one Way exists (cf. Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus is the only access to the Father because He is the only One from the Father
(cf. John 1:1-2, 51; 3:13).
2. ---Hard Sayings of the Bible
John 14:6 is one of those verses that are difficult not because we do not understand them but because we understand them all too well.
The issue, then, is not whether or not we like this claim, but whether or not it is true. The usual smokescreen is to say, "What about those who have never heard of Jesus?" The response to this is twofold: (1) there is a missionary imperative in the New Testament to minimize this problem (that is why, for example, Paul dedicates his life to preaching Jesus where he has not yet been preached) and (2) how God may choose to reveal himself or deal with those who have no human messenger is his business. If we know God's character, we can trust him to do his business well. Our problem is that we do know about Jesus and are living in a culture in which Jesus is all too well known. Furthermore, the missionary imperative falls to those of us who believe.
If, then, this claim is true, two conclusions follow. First, we are deceiving ourselves if we think that we can come to God any other way than through Jesus. What is more, no other way will supplement or add to Jesus as the way. Second, if we are already following Jesus, we are called, in John's terms, to be witnesses to the truth and life found in Jesus.
3. The OT announced it. Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
4. The NT affirmed it. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
5. It means Jesus is the only means of salvation; all others are bogus and counterfeit.
C. John 10:11
1. The Good Shepherd provides
A. Security
B. Nourishment/Refreshment
C. Hope
D. Abundant life/Joy, Contentment
E. Eternal Life
Conclusion:
III. If it is true, then…
A. … John 10:30 is correct in telling you that Jesus is God. You had better heed His warning.
B. … the exclusivity of John 14:6 is a fact taught by God Himself. If God tells you Jesus is the only way, you’d better quit trying to come up with others.
C. … John 10:11 is correct in reporting to you that you have a Shepherd (who just happens to be Almighty God); you’d better follow Him.
{Preached 2/20/11/10:00a.m. @ Friendship Harmony Baptist Church}
If Jesus is who He says He is, how will that affect your relationship with Him? Do you even have a relationship with Him? Jesus stands ready to forgive your sin and to receive you unto Himself. If Jesus is who He says He is, you had better trust Him, believe Him, and receive Him. Scriptures teach that today is the accepted day to do that very thing. Feel free to E-mail me or call if you’d like to trust Christ completely.
Hopefully we’ll get back on track and be back to our Monday morning visits next week. As any Pastor can tell you, we can plan our time, but one phone call can change it all. We don’t mind, though. We want to hear from you. Pastors worry when people STOP calling. I’m glad to be a part of the lives of my congregation, and glad they are a part of mine. Miss Bessie feels the same as do I. Take care of yourself this week. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!
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