Stage 1
JESUS
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe" Hebrews 1:1-2. Two thousand years ago, Jesus appeared on the scene of history. He was born into the world and grew up just like every other person, but He was no ordinary man. He was called the "Son of God" (Luke 1:26-38) and the "Word of God."
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" John 1:14.
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" Luke 19:10 (see also Colossians 1:13).Jesus was sent into the world to fulfill the wonderful plan of God for our lives. His mission was:
"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word..." Hebrews 1:3 (see also Colossians 1:15-17).Jesus is called "the Word of God" (John 1:1-4,14). He existed eternally before He took on human nature (Philippians 2:6-7). As the Word, He communicated the heart of God to mankind. In Jesus, we see what God the Father is like.
"If you really knew me [Jesus], you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him . Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." John 14:7-11 (see also 1:18).He showed us God's love, holiness, wisdom and power.
"For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering" Romans 8:3.In Jesus we not only see the perfect image of God, we also see the perfect image of man, as God intended us to be. He didn't just take on human form; He completely identified with life as we know it. He shared totally in our humanity.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8.During his life on earth, Jesus experienced all the troubles of life that we face, and so understands how we feel (Matthew 8:17). In this way Jesus became the example for us. In His words, His actions and His character He showed us how to live a life pleasing to God (1 Peter 4:1-2; 2:21-25).
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin" Hebrews 4:15.
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone" Hebrews 2:9.Wicked men took the Lord Jesus and executed him by nailing him to a wooden cross like a common criminal (read Mark 15:16-39). He could have saved himself, but he did not for it was through his death on the Cross that God was going to save the world. Jesus died for us!
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" 1 Peter 2:24 (see also Isaiah 53:5-6).
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ...God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..." Ephesians 2:4-6 (see Romans 6:4; read also Matthew chapter 28).
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." Hebrews 10:19-22 (see also 4:16; John 14:1-3).
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.The Bible tells us that there is no other way to be saved except through the name of Jesus. This is because only the death of Jesus on the Cross deals with the barrier between us and God - sin. Jesus is the only way back to God. This is why Jesus said:
"...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6.When you accepted Jesus into your life, God linked your life with Jesus. Now, as a Christian, you are forever linked with Jesus - with His righteousness, with His authority, with His character, with His life (see Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4).
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf" Hebrews 6:19-20.
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Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in these studies are from the New International Version of the Bible, © New York International Bible Society, used by permission. Other versions referred to are: KJV (King James Version), NKJB (New King James Bible), TLB (The Living Bible), Amp (The Amplified Bible) and The Message. All versions used by permission.
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