“Jesus Said”

The Words of Christ

Adapted from a Michael Wiley sermonhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?

SermonID=130958&Page=1

Author Steven Scott said, “If Jesus is who He claimed to be, then everything He said

must be fully, absolutely true!”

I think it was Josh McDowell who first said, “Jesus is either Lord, Liar, or Lunatic.”

Why Study Jesus’ words? The fact that we even have them says

something. His personal ministry only lasted 3 years. He was betrayed by a Disciple who

thought he was innocent, convicted on trumped up charges. He was then crucified on a cross between two convicted felons.

As far as we know, He wrote nothing down, except one time in the sand, and we don’t

know what He wrote. We received His words from His followers, whom were

scattered during His death, but changed their tune after he walked from His grave.

John ends his account of Jesus life by saying, There are many other things that

Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not

have room for the books that would be written.

John 21:25 NET

Why Study Jesus’ words?In them, we find not just a man Jesus, we

find The Christ, God the Son, our Redeemer & Lord. Christianity is more than simply

following words of a great teacher. Christianity is about experiencing that teacher so much it changes our whole being. Our lives change so we begin to imitate, resemble, act like Jesus. As we

study His words may we all find Jesus so real and awe inspiring we conform to Him

more than ever before.

Why Study Jesus’ words?His words bring Freedom.

John 8:31NET Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you continue to follow my teaching, you are

really my disciples 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Jesus is separating the crowd here. He is not pitting believers against non-believers, He’s separating people who say they are a

follower of Christ, but do not prove it by action with those who’s life shows they are a

Christian. We can’t really say it nicely or politically correct.

“If your life doesn’t show you are a Christian, You’re not a Christian!”

Jesus is also pointing out that His teaching is Truth.

Don’t forget, “If Jesus is who He claimed to be, then everything He said must be fully,

absolutely true!” Knowing the truth will set you free. “The truth will set you free” is a pretty popular

quote. Jesus is not saying any truth will set you free, although some truthful things may

bring us a bit of liberation. He’s is saying, “My truth will set you free from the power of

sin and death.”

Why Study Jesus’ words?His words help us weather the storms of life.

There is a great story in the books of Mathew & Luke (6:47-49) that kids learn in

Sunday school early on.Matthew 7:24 NET "Everyone who hears

these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

25 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words

of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed; it

was utterly destroyed!"

28 When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed by his

teaching, 29 because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts

in the law.Note in the story, both men hear the same words. Both have the same opportunity to

build their house on a firm foundation.But only one, the wise man, did. His house

(not unlike the foolish man’s house in appearance) was built on the teachings of

Christ.

It withstood the storms of life.The foolish man built his house on his own wisdom or the world’s philosophers, and in times of storm his house crumbled to the

ground.24 "Everyone who hears these words of

mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

Why Study Jesus’ words?Let’s let Napoleon Bonaparte answer this."The Bible contains a complete series of acts and of historical men to explain time

and eternity, such as no other religion has to offer. If it is not the true religion, one is very excusable in being deceived; for everything in it is grand and worthy of God. The more I consider the Gospel, the more I am assured

that there is nothing there which is not beyond the march of events and above the

human mind.

Even the impious themselves have never dared to deny the sublimity of the Gospel,

which inspires them with a sort of compulsory veneration. What happiness

that Book procures for those who believe it!" …In every other existence but that of Christ how many imperfections! From the first day

to the last He is the same; majestic and simple; infinitely firm and infinitely gentle.

He proposes to our faith a series of mysteries and commands with authority that

we should believe them, giving no other reason than those tremendous words, 'I am

God.'

http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?

AuthorID=16&contentID=4584&commInfo=20&topic=The%20Fundamentals

"I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the

founders of empires, and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist. There is between Christianity and whatever

other religions the distance of infinity...

Napoleon expressed the following thoughts while he was exiled on the rock of St.

Helena. There, the conqueror of civilized Europe had time to reflect on the measure of his accomplishments. He called Count

Montholon to his side and asked him, "Can you tell me who Jesus Christ was?" The

count declined to respond. Napoleon countered:

"Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon

force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for

Him…I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him:

Jesus Christ was more than a man. . . . I have inspired multitudes with such an

enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me…but to do this it was necessary

that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice. When I saw men and spoke to

them, I lightened up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts…

Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen, that it

becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space. Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years, Jesus Christ makes a

demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a

philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his

children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother.

He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself. He demands it

unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted. Wonderful! In defiance of time and space, the soul of man, with all its powers

and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ. All who sincerely believe in

Him, experience that remarkable, supernatural love toward Him.

This phenomenon is unaccountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man's

creative powers. Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put

a limit to its range. This is it, which strikes me most; I have often thought of it. This it is which proves to me quite convincingly the

Divinity of Jesus Christ."

Whatever else one may say in response, it is difficult to explain this away as mere

eloquence. In fact, it was to counter mere eloquence and such artificial power that

Napoleon said what he did. With unbelievable insight, he saw how Jesus

Christ conquered. It was not by force, but by winning the heart.

http://poptop.hypermart.net/testnapb.html

What Jesus said about

God’s GloryAdapted from the series, “Jesus Said” by

Michael Wileyhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?

SermonID=130959&Sermon%20What%20Jesus%20Said%20about%20God%E2%80%99s%20Glory%20by%20Michael%20Wiley

John 11:32 NET Now when Mary came to the place where Jesus was and saw him,

she fell at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not

have died." 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the people who had come

with her weeping, he was intensely moved in spirit and greatly distressed. 34 He

asked, "Where have you laid him?"

They replied, "Lord, come and see." 35 Jesus wept. 36 Thus the people who had come to mourn said, "Look how much he

loved him!" 37 But some of them said, "This is the man who caused the blind man to see! Couldn't he have done something to

keep Lazarus from dying?" 38 Jesus, intensely moved again, came to the tomb.

(Now it was a cave, and a stone was placed across it.)

39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, "Lord, by this time the body will have a bad

smell, because he has been buried four days." 40 Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?" 41 So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you that you have listened to me.

42 I knew that you always listen to me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that you

sent me." 43 When he had said this, he shouted in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of

cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, "Unwrap him and let

him go."

I want to focus on what’s stated in verse 40.

John 11:40 NET Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you would see

the glory of God?"

GLORYPresence, Honor, Power

In the Bible, Old and New Testaments, glory is usually seen in God’s Presence, Honor, or

Power.God’s Glory was revealed to the Israelites as He provided for them (His Power) and

went with them in the cloud by day and fire by night (His Presence).

Psalm 19:1 NIV The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of

his hands.

Once the tabernacle was built we find God’s glory above the Ark of the Covenant.

Then again in Solomon’s Temple.The New Testament continues the story of the Glory of God as His Presence, Honor,

and Power.His Glory is Manifest in Jesus Christ – This

brings us back to our story.

What was Jesus actually saying to Martha?John 11:40 NET Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that if you believe, you would see

the glory of God?" “You’re going to see God’s glory IN ME as I

raise Lazarus from the dead.In the New Testament Jesus repeatedly pointed to the father for all He has, His

Glory, Honor, Power, teaching…

His Power is God’s PowerThe first aspect of God’s glory I want to point out is that Jesus said: “His glory comes from

God, Is God’s glory.”Jesus constantly points to God. When you pray, “Our Father in Heaven.” In John 17

Jesus says, in his prayer to the father that everything he has, Everything He gave to

His followers, it all came from God. God had entrusted His glory and teaching to Christ,

and Christ has entrusted it to us.

The Second Aspect of God’s Glory comes from what Jesus said in:

John 15:1 NET "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. 2 He takes away

every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. 3 You are clean already because of the word that I have

spoken to you.

4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me — and I in him — bears

much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.

6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown

into the fire, and are burned up. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done

for you. 8 My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are

my disciples.

God’s focus is fruitfulnessA branch cannot bear fruit by itself.

Verse three (You are clean) reminds us Jesus is really talking about “us” the

branches.Verse eight gives us the second aspect of

God’s glory I want to point out.8 My Father is honored by this, that you bear

much fruit and show that you are my disciples.

God’s honored in US…by the fruit we produce!

Real fruitfulness is only determined over an extended period of time. "Genuine

conversion is not measured by the hasty decision but by long-range fruitfulness."

(Erdman)

The purpose of fruit-bearing is to bring glory to God, not man. If people look at our life

and praise us for the glorious fruit, something is wrong. The whole purpose is

to glorify God. (Guzik)

How do we Remain in The Vine? 1. Stay in God’s Word.

It is impossible to stay in God’s will apart from His word.

2 Timothy 3:16 NET Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for

reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated

to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

Psalms 119:9 NIV How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to

your word. --- Pray it ---

--- Meditate on it ---Allow God to speak through it.

Other books are great, but let Scripture interpret Scripture

Over time God’s word will become “who you are.”

Your decisions, your actions.Your life will be filled with His grace.

2. Be controlled by the Holy SpiritGalatians 5:16 NET But I say, live by the

Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has

desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that

you cannot do what you want.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the

flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of

anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness,

carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those

who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified

the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. 26 Let us not

become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

Did you notice the fruit we should bear by remaining connected to the vine, Jesus,

when we live by the Spirit?

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23a gentleness, and self-

control.

How do we live by the Spirit? Do we go around somber all day, in a trance?

Doth we continually speak hence in a “Shakespearian,” “King James,” dialect?

Do we need to break out speaking in tongues every now & then, laying hands on

people all the time?

Just how do we live by the Spirit?

live by Thayer Definition:1) to walk

1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities

1b) Hebrew for, to live1b1) to regulate one’s life1b2) to conduct one’s self1b3) to pass one’s life

Strongs: to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):

Guzik says in his commentary:Walk is a common picture of traveling the

"road of life" and making progress upon it. How are you progressing in life? Also,

many people have a distinct walk, and can be identified by the way they walk. So, how do you walk? What can others tell by your

walk? It should be a walk in the Spirit.

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? First, it means that the Holy Spirit lives in you. Second, it means to be open and

sensitive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Third, it means to pattern your life after the

influence of the Holy Spirit.How does the Holy Spirit influence our life? First, He reveals His will to us through the

message of the Bible. Second, He influences us through others who walk in the

Spirit.

Third, He influences us through an inner direction that we become more sensitive to,

and respond to better, as we mature in Jesus.

How can you tell if someone walks in the Spirit? They look a lot like Jesus! Jesus told us that the mission of the Holy Spirit would be to promote and speak of Him

(John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15). When someone walks in the Spirit, they listen to what the Holy Spirit says as

He guides us in the path and nature of Jesus.

"Life by the Spirit is neither legalism nor license - nor a middle way between them. It is a life of faith and love that is above all of

these false ways." (Boice)Are our lives, our walk, identifying us as belonging to Christ? Living according to

what The Spirit inspired Godly men to write in the books of The Bible will identify you as

one of God’s chosen to live throughout eternity with Him in Heaven.

Everything we need to live by the Spirit is contained in God’s Word, The Bible. 2 Peter 1:2 NET May grace and peace be lavished

on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! 3 I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on

us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the

one who called us by his own glory and excellence.

4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent

promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the

divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.

We are willing to try almost anything except the knowledge of Him. We will trust in the schemes and plans of men instead of the knowledge of Him. We will try knowing

ourselves instead of the knowledge of Him. We need to come to the same place the

Apostle Paul did, when he said, My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his

resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, Philippians 3:10

NET

The Greek word knowledge doesn't refer to a casual acquaintance. It means an exact,

complete, and thorough knowledge.

Strongs: recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:Thayer Definition: 1) precise and correct knowledge 1a) used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine

How do we come to knowledge of Him? It comes as we learn of Him through His Word, through prayer, and through the

community of God's people. It is true that we need God alone, but God does not meet

us only in our "aloneness" but also in the community of His people.

Who called us: This knowledge of God comes to those who are called. It is

knowledge, but it is not mere intellectual understanding or intuition. It is the

knowledge that comes by experience - the experience God's people have of God

Himself.

As well, the word knowledge here doesn't speak of a casual knowing. It means an

exact, complete, and thorough knowledge. (Guzik)

3. Pray:Set times of prayer. Go to Him in need. Go

to Him in thanks. Pray at all times in the Spirit.

Start off the day with prayer.Allow the day to be permeated with Prayer.

End with prayerPractice Conversational Prayer

A – AdorationC – ConfessionT – ThanksgivingS – Supplication

4. Practice the Presence of GodThat is the “habitual acknowledgment of His

love and presence within us.

You feel God is not present in your life. Do you long for His glory?

Honor His word, continue in prayerJohn 11:40 NET Jesus responded, "Didn't I

tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?"