Seeing Jesus

[Pastor_Bob]

We are studying the Book of Hebrews in our church. Of course, Hebrews was written to Hebrew Christian who were facing tremendous pressure to go back in Judaism. The author (whom I believe to be Paul) gives them encouragement and exhortations throughout the letter. The basis for the encouragements seem to be found in 1:3:
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (KJV)

These Christians are encouraged to keep their eyes on Jesus Christ as they face their trials and persecutions. Obviously, this is great advice for anyone going through a difficult time.

In my personal study in preparation for this week's message, I came across an interesting quote relative to seeing Jesus Christ for Who He really is:

One of the major issues facing the church today is a growing lack of understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Instead there is a clamoring for an array of applications detached from the foundation in Jesus Christ. Such an error can lead to legalism, deception, and frustration with Christianity.

I am interested to see if anyone has any thoughts on this man's assertion and perhaps some examples.

 

[Diggin in da Word]

1 Corinthians 3:11 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Pastor Bob,

There are many who cannot accept the basics. If one builds on a foundation that is not solid, wind, rain, and other natural disasters will soon cause the house to fall. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 7:24 - 27:

Matthew 7:24-27 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Many try to build on that which is the same as sinking sand. Many try to add their own materials to the foundation trying to better it. The truth be known, we cannot build a better foundation, nor can we improve the stability of the foundation with our own knowledge or intellect.

Too many want to build their own works on the completed work of the cross. They add extra-biblical standards to the Word of God, putting those who have liberty from sin back under the yoke of bondage of sin.

Example? Try J.D. Faust's teaching on Kingdom Exclusion. Teaching that some of the saved may spend the 1,000 year period during the Millenial Kingdom in hell. Others who are not as blatant in this doctrine are Hodges, Wilken and Dillow who just teach a casting out of the saved into outer darkness, thereby dividing the Body of Christ.

There are many other heretical doctrines that take away from or add to the foundation, but this is the one that has been addressed in several threads recently.

 

[Allan]

One of the major issues facing the church today is a growing lack of understanding of who Jesus Christ is. Instead there is a clamoring for an array of applications detached from the foundation in Jesus Christ. Such an error can lead to legalism, deception, and frustration with Christianity.

Well one good example is the Jewish Nation itself as it looked for the Messiah. They WANTED to see Him come as the conquering King, and therefore the sought Him legalisticly as such and to make Him just that.

In this post-modern age where truth is reletive, we see that Jesus to becomes just a relative as their opinions of Him. - Good man, good teacher. good prophet - sound familar!

The JWs and Mormons have a different Jesus along with others who do not understand who and what He was about. I even met a woman (going door-to-door) who literally beleives Jesus was a magical unicorn and since they are powerful and absolutely pure creatures, he became a man to show us how to live and be as creatures. Then when they tortured this human/animal and it died - it became a unicorn again is roaming around (invisibly of course) the earth revealing himself to those most in tune with nature and spirituallity.

Even those in the church do not see Christ for who He TRULY IS!!

 

[blackbird]

Pastor Bob!!! Pastor Bob!! PastorbobpastorBob!!!

Everyone knows the author of Hebrews was not Paul--but was Paul's preacher buddy, Apollos!!!!!!:type:

Jesus is

The Promised Christ(OT study)

The Crucified Christ

The Buried Christ

The Resurrected Christ

The Ascended Christ

The Coming Christ

The late, great Dr. Stephen Olford hammered the thought into the heads of his listeners------we sometimes fail to see Jesus and know Jesus as our Ascended Christ seated in position of authority.

When in doubt, do as Apollos would do----do a study on Christ Ascended!!! Above all!!!!:type:

Bro. David

 

[Allan]

Does any of this help or are we off base with what you are looking for?