The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
I. The Pre-Incarnate Christ (John 1:1; 17:5)
In the ETERNAL PAST Christ was “with God” (John 1:1). This was “before the world was…” (John 17:5). We are told over and over again that Christ had a part in CREATION. (Gen. 1:3,6). “All things were made through Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made…” (John 1:3,10). “In Him were all things created…” (Col. 1:16,17). All three Persons of the Godhead were present at Creation. (Elohim) “In the Beginning, Elohim…” (Gen. 1:1). “Then was I by Him as a Master Workman…” (Prov. 8:30).
We can see His presence and His appearance in the Old Testament. Though He is never referred to as “Christ” or “Jesus, “He is called “Son”, “Jehovah”, and the “Angel of Jehovah.” In Psalm 2:7 Jehovah calls Him His Son. The “Angel of Jehovah” seems to designate the Pre-Incarnate Christ whose manifestation in angelic or human form foreshadowed His coming in the flesh. Notice:
1. He appeared to Hagar (Gen. 16:7-14)
2. He appeared to Abraham and stayed his hand from slaying Isaac (Gen. 22:11-18)
3. He appeared to Jacob and promised to prosper him (Gen. 31:11-13)
4. He appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Ex. 3:2-5)
5. He went before Israel as they left Egypt (Ex. 14:19)
6. He appeared to Balaam (Num. 22:22-35)
7. He came to Gideon (Judges 6:11-23)
8. He promised Minoah’s wife a son whose name was Samson (Judges 13:2-25)
9. He came and refreshed Elijah as he fled from Jezebel (I kings 19:5-7)
10. He rescued the Israelites from Sennacherib (II Kings 19:35)
11. See also Zech. 1:11; 3:1.
II. The Incarnation (John 1:14) “The Word became Flesh…”
“God sent forth His Son born of a woman…” (Gal. 4:4)
“God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh…” (Rom. 8:3)
“Who existing in the Form of God… (KENOSIS) emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men…” (Phil. 2:6-7)
A. Some Reasons for the Incarnation:
1. To confirm the Promises of God (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 9:6; 7:14; Micah 5:2)
2. To reveal the Nature of the Father “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father…” (John 1:18; 14:9)
A. The Father LOVES us (John 3:16; 16:27)
B. He knows what we need before we ask Him (Mat. 6:8)
C. He will withhold no good thing from His children (Mat. 7:11)
D. All may become His Children (Mat. 5:45)
3. To Deliver us from the power of sin (I John 3:5; Rom. 6:14)
A. He gave His Life for a Ransom
B. His Death was Substitutionary
C. He “put away sin…” (Heb. 9:26; John 1:29)
D. He became sin for us (II Cor. 5:21)
4. To Destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8; Heb. 2:14-15; John 12:31; 14:30; Rev. 20:10)
5. To Establish a Kingdom of New Creation People with God-Power and God-Authority (Rev. 1:16; II Cor. 5:17)
B. The Nature of the Incarnation:
1. Jesus “Emptied” Himself (Phil. 2:7) KENOSIS: Self Emptying.
a. Of His equality with God
b. Of His God-Form or Body
c. Of His Immortality
d. Of the Glory He shared with the Father before the world was (John 12:23)
e. Of His Authority in Heaven and earth (Mat. 28:18)
f. Of His divine attributes and powers He had with the Father from eternity (Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience)
C. The Humanity of Christ:
1. He had a Human Birth
2. He developed in stature as a human (Luke 2:40,52)
3. He had the essential elements of human nature
a. Body
b. Soul (Mat. 26:38)
c. Spirit (Mark 8:12)
4. He had a Human Name: Jesus (Joshua)
5. He had the sinless limitations of human flesh:
a. He got tired (John 4:6)
b. He became hungry (Mt. 4:2)
c. He got thirsty (John 19:28)
d. He slept (Mt. 8:24)
e. He was tempted by satan
f. He was limited in knowledge (Mk. 13:32; 5:30-34; Jn. 11:34)
D. The Deity of Christ (Col. 2:9) (The Resurrected Christ)
1. He possesses all the attributes of Deity (Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Eternity, Immutability)
2. He fulfills the office of Deity
a. Creator (Heb. 1:10; John 1:3; Col. 1:16)
b. Upholder of all things (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3)
3. He exercises the prerogatives of Deity
a. He forgives sin
b. Executes Judgment
4. His Names imply Deity
a. Immanuel (Mat. 1:22-23)
b. Word (John 1:1-5)
c. Son of Man (Mat. 12:32)
d. Son of God (John 10:36)
e. Lord
f. God (John 1:1)
5. Relationships prove Deity: He is placed side by side with the Father and the Holy Spirit (Mat. 28:19)
6. Worship is given to Him (Lk. 5:8)
III. The Present-Day Ministry of Jesus Christ
Jesus died as the Lamb of God… He Arose as the Lord of Glory
Jesus died in human weakness… He Arose in Mighty Power and Authority
Jesus died appearing to be a Victim… He Arose Victor… Conquering death, hell, and the grave!
A. Jesus is our HIGH PRIEST (Heb. 2:17)
Priest: redeems men to God
Prophet: reveals God to men
King: rules and reigns with all authority
Jesus’ victory over death and satan Annulled the Old Covenant and Inaugurated the New Covenant. The New Covenant is a “better Covenant established on better promises…” (Heb. 8:6)
1. New Law: “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…” (Rom. 8:2)
2. New Priesthood: Deals with Brothers and Sisters in the Family of God. The old priesthood dealt with servants and a Nation: Israel
3. New Sacrifice: Once for all!! (Heb. 9:25-28)
4. New Provision: “Whosoever will…” Old provision was Israel only.
The PRIESTHOOD of CHRIST: HE has done all that is necessary to redeem men to God… absolutely nothing has been left out or undone. He is a FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST… Obedient to death… the death of the Cross. He is the Author and Finisher (Completer) of our Faith.
B. Jesus is our MEDIATOR (I Tim. 2:5)
He is our “Go Between” our “Agent” our “Arbitrator”. He is our only access
to God… “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me…”
1. To “Mediate” between two differing parties with a view to producing peace. Jesus is the “Peace Maker” between God and Man.
2. One who acts as a GUARANTEE to secure something that otherwise could not be obtained. Jesus is the Guarantee of everything in the entire New Testament for the Believer. “But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises…” (Heb. 8:6) “And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament…” (Heb. 9:15)
C. Jesus is our SAVIOUR (Acts 4:12)
“Deliverer” “Preserver” “Sustainer” Jesus is the ONE and ONLY means of deliverance from the power and penalty of sin.
D. Jesus is our INTERCESSOR (Heb. 7:25) “To confer with” “To entreat in favor of”
E. Jesus is our ADVOCATE (I John 2:1-2) “One who pleads another’s cause” “Counsel for defense” “Called to one’s aid or side” PARAKLETOS.
F. Jesus is our LORD (Col. 2:6-7) KURIOS “Having Power or Authority” “Signifying Ownership”
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ is unfathomable. Beyond human comprehension. Impossible for us to fully understand. But HE wants you to Know Him. Embrace Him. And join Him in your journey of life… and then spend Eternity with Him.
He has made His move. Now it’s your move. RECEIVE HIM. TRUST HIM. LIVE FOR HIM.
dickbraswell 
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