Knowing Jesus

Lesson #1: Who Is He?

Text: John 17:3

Why Is It Important To “Know Jesus?”

KnowingJesusChrist

Is Eternal

Life

“These things I have written to you who

believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.”

(I Jh. 5:13)

“And this is eternal life, that they may

know You, the only true God, and Jesus

Christ whom You have sent.” (Jh. 17:3)

To know Jesus, we must first understand, “Who He Is?” Let’s explore the claims of Jesus, disciples and enemies.

Jesus Knew Who He Was

Based on all His claims, there was never any doubt as to His identity in His mind.

Jesus proves the proposition that He is:

“The eternal God who was sinless, yet able to forgive the sins of others, and who was the only way to the

Father.”

Jesus Knew Who He Was

“The eternal God who was sinless, yet able to forgive the sins of others, and who was the only way

to the Father.”

“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” (Jh. 8:58)

I AM means – “to be, to exist, self-exist.” Jesus said He was Jehovah (same root word). He always has and will exist! If His claim was false, then He could have been put to death for blasphemy (Lev. 24:16)

Jesus Knew Who He Was

“The eternal God who was sinless, yet able to forgive the sins of others, and who was the only way

to the Father.”

“Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” (Jh. 8:46)

Jesus was not convicted of any sin, “nor was any guile in His mouth” (I Pt. 2:22). We can’t make this claim, and if we “say we have no sin…the truth is not in us” (I Jh. 1:8)

Jesus Knew Who He Was

“The eternal God who was sinless, yet able to forgive the sins of others, and who was the only way

to the Father.”

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins – He said to the paralytic…”(Mk. 2:5,8-12)

Jesus, as God’s Son, has power and “all authority on heaven and on earth” (Mt. 28:18) to forgive us, “if we confess our sins” (I Jh. 1:7-9).

Jesus Knew Who He Was

“The eternal God who was sinless, yet able to forgive the sins of others, and who was the only way

to the Father.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jh. 14:6)

There is only ONE way to obtain a mansion in heaven. It is THE way, truth and life! We can not address God without Jesus.

The Disciples Knew Who He Was• At the beginning, they were uncertain and unsure – “And the men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’” (Mt. 8:27)

“And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (Mt. 16:16)

• As they got to know Jesus, they were fully convinced.

“…but were eyewitnesses of His majesty…And we heard this voice, which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (II Pt. 1:16-18)

All the disciples forsook Jesus, now boldly proclaim Him as Lord in the face of death!

The Disciples Knew Who He Was

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life.” (I Jh. 1:1)

The Bible contains eyewitness accounts that should cause us to believe and be fully convinced – “but these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” (Jh. 20:30-31).

• As they got to know Jesus, they were fully convinced.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jh. 1:1, 14)

His Enemies Knew What He Claimed

“…all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.” (Mt. 27:1)

• Jewish efforts to get rid of Christ was proof. Even though they began in a “politically correct” way, their real purpose was revealed.

“…the high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Mt. 26:63)

“…they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation…saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.” (Lk. 23:1-2)

“…they cried out saying Crucify Him…Pilate said You take him and crucify Him for I find no fault in Him.” (Jh. 19:6)

His Enemies Knew What He Claimed• Even after His death, they knew the implications of His words.

“…On the next day…the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, Sir we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, After three days I will rise.” (Mt. 27:62-64)

The enemies of Jesus “rigged” the trial with false witnesses, false charges, and unjust legal procedures,

because they could not find any fault with Him!

• And they knew the implications of His miracles and works.“What shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” (Ac. 5:12)

Who Is He?A rational view of this all important question has only three

possible answers, but only one answer really matters.

Jesus Is The Son of God

TrueFalse

He’s A Liar He’s A Lunatic He’s The Lord

- A hypocrite- Willingly deceived- Words were lies- Deliberate misrepresentation

- Sincerely deluded- An evil mad man- A demon- Willing to die for popularity & power

- Claims true- Evidence is valid

Accept Reject

The Only Answer: He Is Lord!His works testify of His Lordship – “the works I do bear witness of Me…Many good works I have shown…believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (Jh. 10:24-25, 31-33, 37-38)His enemies rejected His works – “For good works we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” (Jh. 10:33)

Best attempts to discredit His power failed – “…And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.” (Mt. 12:22-25)

He was declared to be God’s Son by His resurrection – “and declared to be the Son of God with power…by the resurrection of the dead.” (Ro. 1:5)

Jesus words are supported by the Scriptures – “search the Scriptures …these are they which testify of Me…if you do not believe his [Moses] writings, how will you believe My words?” (Jh. 5:39, 45-47)

If all the words, works and power of Jesus is credible and believable, then we must either accept or reject Jesus as our Lord!

What Will You Decide To Do About Jesus?

• It is impossible to remain neutral. Each person must decide what to do about Jesus. Some failed answers have been tried:

- Passing off the decision – “…I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” (Mt. 27:24)- Mocking the whole idea – “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked…” (Ac. 17:32)- Waiting for a better time – “…Felix was afraid and answered Go away for now, when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” (Ac. 24:25)

You Must Decide Now!• If He is a liar, then it is yet to be found out. If He is a lunatic, then He is yet to fail, BUT if He is Lord, then your decision affects you eternal destiny!GAMALIEL’S GOOD ADVICE: “…if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Ac. 5:35-39)

• If Jesus is Lord, then we must decide based on the position He holds.

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Ac. 17:30-31)