Manifold Witness Podcast

ABC's of Christianity...Jesus is that you?!?!

September 27, 2022 Oscar & Alisha Season 2 Episode 2
Manifold Witness Podcast
ABC's of Christianity...Jesus is that you?!?!
Show Notes Transcript

Got a question for ya?!?! Do you know how to recognize true biblical Christianity? If not, here’s a good start…always ask yourself: “Does this make me more dependent upon Jesus, or my own abilities?” “Is this centered on Christ in me, or some outward person, place or thing?” If you can’t check all those boxes in the affirmative, then maybe it’s time to draw the line. Having a firm foundation of who Christ is…is the link to every breakthrough that happens in your life. Today, we’re gonna talk about it...

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Manifold Truths

"Biblical essentials for our modern times."

ABC’s of Christianity, Jesus…is that you?!?!

Got a question for ya?!?! Do you know how to recognize true biblical Christianity? If not, here’s a good start…always ask yourself: “Does this make me more dependent upon Jesus, or my own abilities?” “Is this centered on Christ in me, or some outward person, place or thing?” If you can’t check all those boxes in the affirmative, then maybe it’s time to draw the line. Having a firm foundation of who Christ is…is the link to every breakthrough that happens in your life. Today, we’re gonna talk about it...

Ø  You Better Recognize!!!

§  Jesus & Peter water-walkin’

Matthew 14:25-33

25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and “beginning” to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Ø  14:28. When Peter heard Jesus’ words telling them to stop being afraid, his attitude changed, and he immediately took courage. Just seconds before he had feared for his life; now he wanted to walk on the water to Jesus. Peter was neither impulsive, rash, reckless, or hasty. Neither did he put any confidence in himself. His words expressed total faith in Jesus, and what was once impossible became possible when Jesus affirmed his faith to Come and walk on the water!

Ø  14:30. As long as Peter was walking toward Jesus with his eyes on the Lord, he walked right over the water. But when he thought he had accomplished this and was successful, he took his eyes off Jesus and began to look in the ordinary human way at the wind and what it was doing. Here he found it difficult to recognize the power of the wind and the power of Jesus at the same time. Peter then felt himself beginning to sink, and he became greatly afraid and panicked, even though there was absolutely no danger, for he was in the presence of Jesus.

Ø  2 John 9:9

§  Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

§  The Amplified version of the Bible will shed light on what is meant by the doctrine of Christ. “Anyone who runs ahead of God and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ (who is not content with what He taught) does not have God. But he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ does have God; he has both the Father and the Son.”

§  The doctrine of Christ can be viewed in two ways. First, it is the truth of what Jesus taught while here on the earth. Secondly, it is the teaching concerning who Jesus is. To comprehend who Jesus is has the potential to revolutionize a person’s life. Peter was one of the first disciples to discover who Jesus is. His discovery of who Jesus is, released great blessings and promises into his life.

§   Matthew 16:13-19 Reads like this…

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Ø  Ok…I see you Jesus!!! 

Ø  Who is Jesus? Is He just a suffering Savior? Is He the ruling Lord of the earth and your life? Is He merely a distant historical figure? Perhaps He is the focus of some religious lifestyle or church denomination. Was He only a man, a contemporary with Mohammed, Confucius, or Buddha? To many, He’s that longhaired brotha in that picture on the wall at yo’ grandma ‘em house. So, the question must be answered either now or later…Who is Jesus to you?

Ø  Jesus confronts his disciples after all their comparisons, Jesus is still looking for the right answer. Who is Jesus? The doctrine of Christ holds that He is the unique Son of God and is unparalleled by any other religious figure in Judaism, Islam, or even Christianity itself.

Ø  It was not until Peter declared who Jesus was, that he got the appropriate response from Jesus. “Blessed are you” . . .The word blessed here means “happy” or “happier.” To paraphrase, Jesus was saying, “Peter, you've got something to be happy about! You know who I am! And you could only have learned this from My Father in Heaven.” So, having a revelation of who Jesus is…is the only thing needed in becoming a candidate for the blessings of God!

Ø  Though Peter was changed as a result of this revelation, he still had much to learn, and many mistakes ahead of him. However, He would become just what Jesus declared him to be…a rock of the church (ekklesia) that Jesus was building. So, a person who knows who Jesus is, becomes a pillar of strength for those around them.

Ø  This revelation of who Jesus is brings great promises & great authority. Peter, having known now who Jesus is, never relied on religion or on himself to produce the life and blessing of God. Once when Peter worked a miracle, he indicated where the grace of God's power came from in Acts 3:1-6, 9-12 & 16.  

Ø  Acts 3:1-6, 9-12 & 16  

§  1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

§  9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

Ø  Jesus did that!!!

Ø  It was Jesus, the Son of the Living God, who worked the healing for the lame man. It was not anything Peter had done other than believe upon Jesus and trust the Spirit of Christ to produce the answered prayer. Because the doctrine of Christ was written on Peter's heart, he was able to give marvelous testimonies of the greatness of God. There was nothing special about Peter, and he knew it. When believers come to God in humility and expectation that He will be the “Son of the Living God” in their lives, what God does for one, He will do for anyone. That’s why Peter declared in Acts chapter 10:34, after arriving to Cornelius house, a Gentile Roman soldier and witnessing the power of God being made available to the Gentile nations… he stated, “I see very clearly now that God shows no favoritism.” That’s why 1 Timothy 2:5 reads like this…

Ø  1 Timothy 2:5 

§  There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

Ø  In the fewest and simplest terms, this verse of Scripture is the foundation of the doctrine of Christ. There are three parts to the doctrine of Christ: There is one God; There is one Mediator; and the man Christ Jesus. 

Ø  We do not have three gods; we have one God. This is a great mystery in the Bible and in Christianity. That’s why, 1 Corinthians 8:6, tells us…

Ø  1 Corinthians 8:6 

§  But for us, there is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.

Ø  There is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, but they are one. Nowhere in the Bible is this explained fully. Therefore, we must take this truth on faith and not analyze it to be true, here’s where we can take a little advice from the Old Testament on this matter and listen to the wisdom of King David in Psalms 131:1-3 which states…

Ø  Psalms 131:1-3

§  O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with matters too great and too profound for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.

Ø  So that’s all we’re gonna say about that!!!

Ø  The Doctrine of Christ does not seek to explain away who God is, but to encourage you to accept Him on His own terms and in the manner in which He has chosen to reveal Himself to us, and that is…

§  “Christ was revealed in a human body, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, announced to the nations, believed on throughout the world, taken to heaven in glory, seated at the right-hand of the Father, interceding for the Church, until he makes His last enemy (Death) His footstool. This is the foundation of our faith.

§  So “Like”, “Share”, & “Subscribe” and until we meet again. “Love”, “Joy” & “Peace”