LEARNING TO PLEASE GOD

LESSON FOUR – JESUS IS SAVIOUR

 

     The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He is our Savior. At Jesus' baptism God acknowledged Him as His Son. "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) This was also the case on the mountain where Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah. "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5) Peter was right when he confessed, "We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:69)

 

     The Bible reveals many facts about Jesus to cause us to love and appreciate Him. The Bible reveals that Jesus was in the beginning with God and was equal with God. "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." (Philippians 2:6) He was "in the form" of God before com­ing to earth. It is a fact of history that Jesus lived in heaven and was born into this earth. His place of birth was Bethlehem. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." (Matthew 2:1) The reason Jesus has had such influence in the world is because He is the Son of God. Jesus left heaven and came to earth to make salvation possible

 

     Jesus made many great claims for Himself. He was a great teacher and prophet but He claimed to be far more. In John 17:1 Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." In a conversation with the woman at the well Jesus claimed to be the Messiah. "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." (John 4:25-26) In John 14:6 Jesus claimed to be the only way to God. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."In John 8:24 Jesus said we had to believe in Him to be forgiven of sins. "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." Jesus claimed that He would suffer, die and be resurrected. "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day." (Luke 9:22)

 

     Jesus performed powerful miracles to prove His claims. A miracle is an act in which God works aside from His natural law. A miracle transcends our knowledge of the laws of nature. Nicodemus was correct when he said, to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (John 3:2) Jesus demonstrated His power over sickness, nature and death. In Matthew 15:30 Jesus healed people with all kinds of sickness and disease. In Matthew 8:26 He demonstrated His power over na­ture by calming the winds and waves. Jesus died, was buried and arose from the grave. (Luke 24:3) Jesus' miracles should convince us that He is God's Son.

 

     Christianity is simple and its rewards are many. Christianity gives you joy in living and hope in dying. It is a life of peace and joy. Jesus offers spiritual rest for our souls. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Peace and purpose for living is also found in Jesus. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) Jesus gives true meaning to life here and He gives the abundant life hereafter. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

 

     Because of Jesus, death is not the end; but the beginning. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." (John 11:25) Take a serious look at your life. Are you a New Testament Christian? Have you obeyed the gospel? Are you faithful to the Lord? To become a Christian believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God and be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38) Jesus will save you and add you to His church. Those Christians who stay faithful will be saved eternally.

 

True or False:

 

1. _________ Jesus is not the beloved Son of God. (Matthew 3:17)

 

2. _________ The apostles were not sure that Jesus is the Christ. (John 6:69)

 

3. _________ Jesus was never in the form of God. (Philippians 2:6)

 

4. __________ Jesus healed people with all kinds of diseases. (Matthew 15:30)

 

5. __________ Jesus offers spiritual rest for our souls. (Matthew 11:28)