Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:41-46
What Christ Is To Us
Intro.
1. Jesus has always been many things to people (misguided Rabbi; social revolutionary, great moral teacher, Messiah, Son of God…), Matt. 16:13-16.
2. Matt. 22:41-46: “What do you think about the Christ?” deserves more than a casual, customary or traditional response.
a. We must know the object of our faith, 2 Tim. 1:12; Jno. 14:7-11.
b. Whether or not Jesus is the object of your faith affects your eternal judgment, 2 Ths. 1:8-9.
3. Christians know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God with whom we are united, Jno. 17:21; Rom. 6:5; Gal. 2:20; 4:19.
4. What Christ is and ought to be to everyone.
I. OUR SAVIOR, Lk. 2:11 (Acts 4:12).
A. Came to Save the Lost, Lk. 19:10.
1. Lost in sin, Matt. 1:21. (Sin destroys happiness, safety & the soul; cf. Eden.)
2. Savior of the world, Jno. 4:42 (Rom. 3:23).
3. Salvation from God’s just wrath against sin, Rom. 5:9.
B. Sacrifice for the Sins of the World, 1 Jno. 2:2; Rom. 5:6-11.
C. Will Save All Who Believe, 1 Tim. 4:10.
II. OUR LORD, Eph. 4:5; Phil. 2:9-11.
A. A Ruler: He Exercises Dominion, Matt. 22:42-45 (Psa. 110:1); 28:18 (Eph. 1:21-23).
1. He has a will we are to understand and obey, Eph. 5:17.
2. His will is not hidden; it is revealed, Jno. 12:48.
3. Our submission to his will is mandatory, Phil. 2:10-11.
B. A Master: We are in His Service, Matt. 23:10-12.
1. The nature of our service to the Master, Eph. 6:5-8:
a. Reverent, obedient, singular devotion, from the heart, with goodwill.
b. Just as the Lord rewards the faithful servants of men, He will reward his faithful servants (Matt. 24:45-47).
2. Christians humbly & faithfully serve Jesus as their Ruler and Master (Lk. 17:5-10).
III. OUR MODEL, 1 Pet. 2:21.
A. Jesus has Walked the Path before us:
1. Humility, Jno. 13:12-17 (Phil. 2:1-5).
2. Love, Jno. 13:34 (Eph. 5:1-2).
3. Sacrifice, Eph. 5:25.
4. Patient endurance, 1 Pet. 2:18-21.
B. Always Look to Jesus, 1 Jno. 2:6; Heb. 12:1-3 (1 Cor. 11:1).
IV. OUR LIFE, Col. 3:4.
A. Source of Life, (originator, “Prince of life”, Acts 3:15); Jno. 1:4; 6:51.
B. Strength & Sustainer of our Life, Phil. 1:21; Gal. 2:20.
-Think, speak, behave, love, serve, give – Live as he lived.
V. OUR LOVE, Jno. 14:15.
A. Our Actions will Define our Love, Jno. 14:19-24.
1. Obedience to his commands – Love & fellowship.
2. Obedience is not “legalism” – It is our expression of love for God!
3. Love put into action assures our hearts, 1 Jno. 3:16-19.
VI. OUR PEACE, Jno. 16:33. [Prince of peace]
A. Jesus is our Peace with God and Man, Eph. 2:13-18.
1. One body (of peace); the church, 2:14-16.
2. Means of our peace with God, 2:16-18 (Rom. 5:1).
B. A Peace not of this World, Jno. 14:27.
1. His peace gives courage and comfort to man’s heart, Phil. 4:6-7.
2. His peace is to rule in your heart, Col. 3:15.
VII. OUR HOPE OF GLORY, Col. 1:27 (1 Tim. 1:1).
A. The Christian’s Hope, Rom. 5:2 (1 Pet. 1:3).
-Our only desire and expectation of future, eternal happiness is Jesus (Heb. 2:10).
B. The Christian’s Glory, Col. 3:4; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Jno. 3:2-3.
-1 Cor. 15:19-
Conclusion
1. What do you think about the Christ? Whose son he is? (Matt. 22:42)
2. What is Christ to you?