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But We See Jesus Introduction: Hebrews 2.6-9 is our text for this lesson. The writer says, "We see Jesus." To "See Jesus" is the perpetual need of the human race. For to see Jesus means we come to understand who He is, what He has done, and how we are saved in Him. The first century church had a passion for "holding up Jesus for all to see." "They ceased not to preach and teach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5.42). Paul was determined in his preaching, "Not to know anything but Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 2.2). Christ was held up before the Galatians so vividly, they were told that He had been "Crucified among them" (Galatians 3.1). In our text the Hebrew writer runs the gamut of Christ’s life, from His being "made lower than the angels" to His "suffering of death" and His being "crowned with glory and honor." We need to see Jesus from "start to finish", from beginning to eternity (not that He will ever end). That will include: I) See Jesus "In the Beginning" (His eternal nature) A) His birth was not the beginning of His existence. He existed with God in the beginning 1. "Let Us make man in Our image" Genesis 1.26 a. Notice the plural terms used: showing that there was more than one being involved in the creation. b. At that point the different beings of the "God head" are not specified. 2. John goes ahead and tells us Jesus’ role in Genesis. John 1.1.2; 17.5 B) "Before Abraham was, I am" John 8.56-58 1. The Jews understood Jesus claim. He was claiming to be eternal, to have existed before Abraham was born. C) He was "equal with God" Phil. 2.6 1. Why or how was that possible? 2. As part of the God head, He possesses all the attributes of deity. C) The "image of the invisible God" Colossians 1.15 1. He is God incarnate, John 14.9 2. Our vision of Jesus is not complete if we do not see His eternal nature. II) See Jesus As the "Son of Man" A) Philippians 2.6-8 says, "He humbled Himself" 1. How? He being deity took on the body of flesh. 2. To leave heaven to come and live as a man was a step down for Jesus. 3. It did not diminish His deity but His role became one of servitude. B) At His birth "in all things He had to be made like His brethren" Hebrews 2.17 1. Consider His birth: a. He was born in poverty, Luke 2.11,12; 2.22.24 (two doves sacrifice for the poor) b. He lived in poverty, Luke 9.58 2. He was tempted, Matthew 4.1-11; Hebrews 4.15 3. We miss something about Jesus if we do not see His humanity. III) See Jesus "In His Sacrifice" A) In all of human history, nothing equals the passion of our Lord 1. He was despised and rejected by His own people, Isaiah 53.3 2. We see His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26.36-46 3. He was forsaken by His friends, Matthew 26.56 4. He was arrested, tried, beaten, and mocked, Matthew 27. 28-30 5. He died on the cross between two thieves, Matthew 27.38 B) All of this He did for you and me, Romans 5.8; Hebrews 2.9 1. The world needs to see Jesus on the cross. It is His "drawing power" John 12.32 2. Christians need to "Remember" Him on the cross for "Staying Power", 1 Corinthians 11.24-26 IV) See Jesus "In His Resurrection" A) Immediately after His death, His enemies were aware of Jesus talking about His resurrection. 1. They did all they could to prevent it. 2. Soldiers were placed at the tomb to make sure no one could get in or out of the tomb, Matthew 27.63-66 3. After the resurrection, the soldiers were bribed to lie about the empty tomb, Matthew 28.13-15 B) But He was resurrected, Matthew 28.1-7 1. There were many witnesses, 1 Corinthians 15.3-8 2. He walked among men for forty days and was seen, heard, and touched by His disciples, Acts 1.3 3. If we do not see Jesus in His resurrection we do not see the victory over death. V) See Jesus "In His Exaltation" A) He received a name above every name, Philippians 2.9-10 B) He is seated at the right hand of God, Hebrews 12.2 C) Made King of king and Lord of Lords, 1 Timothy 6.15 1. There is no higher power than Jesus. 2. He has all authority in heaven and earth. D) Made Head of the church, Eph. 1.20-23 1. As Head, He exercised His authority through His word 2. As the body is controlled by the head; so the church is controlled by Jesus. E) Our High Priest, Hebrews 4.14 F) Our Intercessor and Mediator, Romans 8.34 G) One day we will see Him as He is, 1 John 3.2c VI) See Him As Our Judge A) God has appointed a day where all of mankind will be judged, Acts 17.30-31 1. The scene is painted by Jesus Himself in Matthew 25.31-46 2. No one will escape that Day of Judgment. B) On that Day we will receive the things done in the body, 2 Corinthians 2.10. 1. Those whose sins have been remitted by the blood of Christ and lived faithfully for Him will have the reward of heaven. 2. Those whose sins remain will go to eternal punishment. Conclusion: Are you looking toward Jesus today? Do you see Jesus? D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.25.07 (Adapted from a sermon by a brother Nutter) |