04.07.2019 8:00 AM

04.07.2019 Jesus is Eternal › video: Temporary vs eternal Jesus is eternal (26 seconds) Jesus is Eternal. He is before all things. He is the Creator. Paul expressed Christ’s eternal nature like this Colossians 1:15-16 Colossians 1:15–16 ESV He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Jesus not only eternal. He is the almighty, maker, the creator and therefore, the owner of all things. John 1:3 ESV All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. Nothing exist without Him. Time is in His hands. He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. Revelation 1:8 ESV “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” There was never a time when the Son of God, did not exist. Jesus is eternal. There was a time when I did not exist, before I was conceived. In fact, when I finally came into the world, my beginning was certified by the world (my birth certificate). And when I leave maybe a tombstone will mark the end of my life in this world (not sure about that yet). Unlike me, and unlike you...Jesus is eternal and He is Equal to the Father. Whenever Jesus reveal Himself as the eternal Son of God, here’s what happened. John 5:18 ESV This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. He revealed Himself to be “equal with God” a number of times. John 10:30 ESVI and the Father are one.” 04.07.2019 Jesus is Eternal About six months before His suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus went to Jerusalem to celebrate “The feast of Tabernacles”. John reminds us that Jesus’ opponents had a plan. John 7:1 ESV After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Remember the Father has planned that the Jesus must die during the Passover in Jerusalem, which explains why Jesus spends most of His ministry away from Judea until the right time, God’s time, the time of the Passover celebration. against what seems to be wise judgement, Jesus attends the the Feast of Tabernacles which took place late September or early October, about 6 months before His suffering, death and resurrection. John 7:10 ESV But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. Jesus goes to the Feast in secret, remaining in the background at the feast until... John 7:14 ESV About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. Jesus is such a great teacher that... John 7:15 ESV The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” In spite of His great teaching....the religious leaders John 7:30 ESV So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. The Father, God has a plan for the redemption of the world. Jesus will finish the Divine plan. John 7:43–44 ESV So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. After the religious leaders hold a brief theological conference about Jesus, they all went home. The next morning Jesus comes back to Jerusalem... John 8:2–3 ESV Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst Toward the end of His teaching later that day (the religions leaders are present again and listening to Jesus), John 8:58 ESV Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 04.07.2019 Jesus is Eternal There is no going back from here. Jesus has laid down all His cards. He reveals His true nature Jesus is eternal. This eternal Son of God saw Abraham more than 2 millenia ago. Note how the religious leaders respond to Jesus revelation: John 8:59 ESV So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. Since this is not the day to die. So Jesus hides Himself to return a half of a year from now at the Feast of the Passover. How odd is this? Here is the THE very ONE they (the religious leaders) were looking and waiting for. When He finally arrives in answer to their prayers and in spite of His awesome teaching, they are bent on killing Him, even though Jesus came for them, for us, for the world. When the eternal Christ, left heaven and came the First Advent, He obtained eternal redemption by offering His life unto the death of the cross. Hebrews 9:12 ESV he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. This was outcome of His ONCE for all, all-availing sacrifice? Hebrews 5:9 (NIV) 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him He is the source of eternal salvation, which means... He is the giver of eternal life. John 10:27–28 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. Jesus is eternal. He is the door for the sheep. He is the gate of Heaven. He is the bread of life. To know Him and believe in Him - to believe in the life He lived in the flesh, to trust in the death He died to sin, once for all, is to rejoice in His resurrection - which means you have the hope of eternal life. Tit 3:7 Titus 3:7 ESV so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. We who believe are heirs of Christ. Because Jesus is eternal... His Words stand forever. Jesus has the first and last word on your life. The first He speaks on our lives? 04.07.2019 Jesus is Eternal Acts 2:38 (ESV) 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness AND the gift of the Spirit. These are among His first Words He speaks to us. When they are recieved by us and believed with repentant hearts, we have they say and express. Luther said, “Wherever there is forgiveness of sins, that is life and salvation.” On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus told the 12, Matthew 24:35 ESV Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But because Jesus is eternal we are compelled to... Obey Him His last word just before He ascended back to heaven are these: Matthew 28:19–20 ESV Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Teach them to obey. Obedience is learned. WE need to spend all of this life learning to obey Jesus. It will always be a struggle because of our sinful nature. Hope our Comfort Dog came to us with 2000+ hours of training. Lutheran Church Charities started early training her when she was just a pup, teaching her to be obedient. They taught her 40 plus commands. By the way, even Hope struggles at times to be obedient. Rocks and food are her downfall. When you are around her “Never give her food.” Our struggle is probably not rocks, it might be food. BUT it is always our sinful selves, the world luring us, and satan trying to deceiver us. No wonder the night before Jesus died, He said to the disciples in the upper room twice: John 14:15 ESV“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:23 ESV Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 04.07.2019 Jesus is Eternal Hope loves to obey. If we love Jesus our obedience will be a sign of our love for Jesus. Where do you struggle to obey Jesus? What desires, habits, fears or temptations do you battle with? Remember this is a battle you don’t need to fight alone. 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, We have a DIVINE power…but Be careful, Paul warns! 1 Corinthians 10:12–13 ESV Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. The way of escape God the Father has provided? Jesus. Jesus is eternally faithful to you. He is eternally Your Savior from sin. So when sin gets the best of you…don’t run from Him, run to Him in your struggle. He offers you His mercy for every sin in your life. His grace is available for your needs. You have nothing to fear. You can not lose your battle when you trust His mercy and grace. Why? Jesus is eternal.