Sermons
The Identity of Christ as 'the Word'
Series: Who Is 'This Jesus'?Link to sermon video: The Identity of Christ as 'the Word' - L Siegle
WHO IS ‘THIS JESUS’?
“The IDENTITY of Christ as ‘the Word’”
(John 1:1-18)
Series: WHO IS THIS ‘JESUS’?
Thesis: The “gospel accounts” are designed to introduce the people to the person and work of Jesus Christ
INTRODUCTION
1. The title of this series is Who is ‘This Jesus’?
2. This is the first lesson in our study: The IDENTITY of Christ as ‘the Word’
3. Each of the four “gospel accounts” are designed to introduce someone to the person and work of Jesus Christ:
a. Matthew—written from a Jewish perspective presents Jesus was Israel’s Messiah (Matt. 1:21)
1) Jesus was born into the world of Israel (Gal. 4:4)—in the “fullness of time”—a human being (‘of a woman’)
into the Old Covenant nation of Israel (‘under the law’).
2) The name ‘Jesus’ (Yeshua) means ‘Savior’—so Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah)—the ‘anointed One’
b. Mark—written and directed more toward those within Roman society.
1) This ‘gospel account’ contains explanations of Jewish names, customs, and feasts and observances to
provide a non-Jewish reader with a better understanding of what was taking place in the narrative (3:17;
5:41; 7:3, 11; 14:12; 15:42).
2) The account of Mark is an ‘action’ drama (“immediately”)—the word occurs 36 times throughout.
3) The miracles that demonstrated the power of God are highlighted throughout Mark to confirm the identity of
Jesus.
c. Luke—written from the technical Greek perspective—Luke the physician explores the human aspect of the life of
Jesus and His interactions with the people He ministered to on the streets.
1) After the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, Luke begins to document the establishment and
work of the church in the book of Acts (Acts 1:1-3)
2) In order to take the gospel to the “nations” Luke became a companion of the apostle Paul during his
missionary journeys.
d. John—very different from the three ‘synoptic gospels’ (because of their similar approach and content).
1) The central focus of the gospel account of John is the nature and essence of who Christ was and His work as
the Divine Expression of God in human form (John 1:1, 14).
2) The apostle John wrote to produce faith in subsequent ‘generations’ who would hear and believe the
message of Christ (John 20:30, 31).
THE “LAST DAYS” MINISTRY OF CHRIST
1. Each of the four gospel accounts has a specific purpose and is necessary in answering the question, “Who is ‘This
Jesus’?
a. If the preaching of the “gospel of Christ” was directed to Israel alone—then the gospel of Matthew would have
been sufficient in demonstrating what the law, the prophets, and the psalms had foretold about Messiah coming
into the world.
b. If the Roman world alone had been the central focus of the person and work of Jesus Christ—the gospel account
of Mark alone would have been sufficient.
c. If the Greek world had been the central focus of the preaching of the cross (I Cor. 1:18)—the gospel account of
Luke alone would have provided the convincing evidence.
d. The gospel account of John is that which brings together to plan, and purpose of Christ as the manifested
expression of the nature of God testifies to the whole scope and outreach to people of the “nations” from “every
nation, from all tribes, and peoples, and languages” (Rev. 7:9), to bring them into the kingdom to stand before the
throne of God (Rev. 7:9, 10; John 20:30, 31).
2. The book of Acts documents the establishment of the church that Jesus promised He would build (Matt. 16:18).
a. The growth and development of the New Covenant church is carefully documented in the “last days” of Old
Covenant Israel, pointing forward to the approaching “end of the age” (Matt. 24:3; 28:20).
THE FOUR ‘C’s of COMING INTO COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
1. There are four words that describe how it is that one comes to know Christ, who He is, and what He has done that
brings a person into the Kingdom of God:
a. Confusion—people all around us, are affected with confusion about who ‘This Jesus’ really is.
1) We have been affected by how and where we grew up and were raised (religious background).
2) The world around us paints a portrait of what IT thinks about ‘This Jesus’ (good teacher, wise person,
someone who performed miracles in a remote part of the world 2,000 years ago.
3) Many do not believe that Jesus Christ actually existed as a person, that the whole Bible narrative is simply a
myth, fairytale, interesting story, with some moral values.
4) People are confused about the person and nature of God and people created their own ‘gods’ and ideas of
what THEY think about ‘spiritual things’
b. Curiosity—people begin to ask questions, find the information interesting and want to come to a better
understanding.
1) “What does the Bible mean when the OT prophets predicted the Messiah would be born of a virgin?”
2) “How is it possible that one man dying on a wooden Cross and shedding His blood could provide any real
salvation?”
3) “Why did God require the shedding of innocent blood in order to provide forgiveness of sins?”
4) “What is regeneration and a spiritual birth?”
5) “Is obedience to God really necessary for salvation?”
c. Conviction—The response of faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
1) “How must I respond to the invitation of Christ in order to have both forgiveness and “eternal life”? (John
3:16; Rom. 8:1).
2) “What does it really mean to be “in Christ” (John 1:11-13; 3:5-7).
3) “How does a person come “alive” spiritually in comparison with our physical birth?
d. Conversion—The act of entering “into” Christ (Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:26, 27).
1) “How does faith and an obedient response to the invitation of Christ give us life?” (John 5:24)
2) “How does our response to the gospel of Christ bring us “into” the church of the Lord?” (I Cor. 12:13).
3) “How can we know that we are the “one body” where Christ is Lord?” (Eph. 4:4, 2:14-21)
THE FOUR C’s ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (Acts 2:1-47).
1. In a practical example, how do these four Cs actually work with regard to one entering into relationship with God?
2. We have a report on this recorded by ‘doctor’ Luke in Acts 2:1-47:
a. The “day of Pentecost” (50 days after the resurrection of Christ)—celebration of ‘harvest’ and ‘firstfruits’
b. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-4)—follow the pronouns from chapter 1. It was the apostles and
not the 120 who were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Confusion (2:5, 6)
1. What they heard created ‘confusion’ in their minds (bewilderment)
Curiosity (2:7-12)
1. The people in the crowd we “amazed” and began to ask some questions.
2. Some simply mocked them saying they were just full of new wine (v. 13)
Preaching the Gospel (2:14-36)
1. Peter explains the events of the day were in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32 (v. 16-21).
2. Peter traces the events that had taken place with the crucifixion with OT prophecy (v. 22-35)
3. Peter places the responsibility at the feet of those present (v. 36)
Conviction (2:37)
Conversion (2:38-41)
CONCLUSION
1. During the next few weeks, read through the gospel account of John and see how Christ is identified in His coming
into the world.
2. There is so very much for each of us to appreciate about how the Holy Spirit used Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in
the outreach of people who needed to hear the gospel (Matt. 24:14).
3. We are going to learn in what sense Jesus is referred to as “the Logos” (Word) and how that expression would have
been understood by the original readers and what it means for us living today.
4. We will see that Jesus people (Israel) rejected Him and His message (John 1:10, 11)
5. There would be those who “receive” Him and the message of the gospel (John 1:12)
6. The spiritual birth that would take place was not based upon ethnicity (John 1:13; 3:5-7)
7. If you want to be “born again” and “enter” into the Kingdom of God.
8. If you need prayer or some other need, …
