It's All About Jesus

This text is about Jesus

Christ - 11

Jesus - 7

Him - 11

His - 5

He is the first cause!

All of scripture, and indeed all of history and our future outlook should be viewed through the lens of Christ Jesus

Paul begins the foundation of this sermon / letter the best place He could start; pointing the readers or hearers to Jesus.

We began this year:

A Glorious Beginning: Luke 3

We beheld the glory of God in Christ Jesus

We, like John, should make known to others

These are My Children: John 3

The Father is pleased in Jesus

In Baptism, God declares us his own and His pleasure in us; both because we are united to Christ Jesus in faith

Everything is about Jesus

Creation

John 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

16 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.

The Church

Ephesians 1:22 ESV

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,

Colossians 1:18 ESV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Redemption of creation

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The Father is making much of The Son

Luke 3:22 ESV

22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

John 16:13 ESV

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

While Father, Son, and Spirit all share in the one being of God rather than being constituent parts of God, yet the Father and The Spirit make much of Jesus, The Son.

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Psalm 149:2 ESV

2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Our Salvation is about and because of Jesus

Because of Jesus:

Ephesians 1:7–8 ESV

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

Acts 4:12 ESV

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

About Jesus:

Ephesians 1:12–14 ESV

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Church Family, while Paul discusses everything in this letter from deep theology to practical living in issues of holiness, family, and His church, none of it would have any weight or legitimacy apart from a focus and foundation of Jesus; His person and His Ministry. So we begin this series looking at Jesus, to the praise of the glory of God.