The Truth About Jesus

In 155 A.D., Polycarp was brought before the proconsul. The proconsul urged him harder. “Take the oath and I’ll let you go. Curse Christ.” “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong,” said Polycarp. “How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

When the proconsul kept insisting, “Swear by the divine power of Caesar,” Polycarp answered, “If you vainly suppose that I will swear by the divine power of Caesar, as you say, and if you pretend that you do not know who I am, listen plainly: I am a Christian. And if you wish to learn the Christian message, arrange a meeting and give me a hearing.”

“I have wild animals,” the proconsul said. “I’ll throw you to them unless you change your mind.” “Call them in,” Polycarp replied, “for we are not allowed to change from something better to something worse.”

“Call them in,” Polycarp replied, “for we are not allowed to change from something better to something worse.” “Scorn the wild beasts and I’ll have you burned alive, if you don't change your mind.”

Polycarp said, “You threaten with fire that burns for a short time and is soon quenched. You don’t know about the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment that awaits the wicked. But why are you waiting? Come, do what you will.”

1. The Truth About Jesus Changes Us

Acts 9:21 NASB95

All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”

A Change of Identity

Saul wasn’t the same person after his encounter with Jesus.

Philippians 3:3–11 NASB95

for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

A Change of Purpose

Saul’s purpose changed from pushing Jesus out of the Jewish faith to reconciling the Jews to their Messiah, Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17–19 NASB95

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

People should see a difference in us when we are trusting in Jesus.

We can find peace when our identity and purpose are centered on Christ.

2. The Truth About Jesus Convicts Us

Acts 9:23 NASB95

When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,

Acts 9:29 NASB95

And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.

We Should Expect Confusion

The world is not able to understand who Jesus is or why we worship Him.

1 Corinthians 1:18–24 (NASB95)

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

We Should Expect Opposition

The holiness and divinity of Christ is an offense to us because it exposes our weaknesses.

Ephesians 4:17–19 NASB95

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

3. The Truth About Jesus Connects Us

Acts 9:31 NASB95

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

A Church That Worships the Biblical Jesus Has Peace

Jesus promised peace, not prosperity.

John 14:27 NASB95

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 16:33 NASB95

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

A Church That Worships the Biblical Jesus Has Growth

The Biblical Jesus is the secret to church growth.

Matthew 16:13–18 NASB95

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

CONCLUSION

When we understand who Jesus really is and what He has done:

We understand who we really are.

We understand why we exist.

We understand why people don’t understand.

We understand why people hate us.

We understand how to have peace.

We understand how to grow.