Message: “What is Christianity and Who is Christ” from Pastor Joe

Joe Summers - December 27, 2020

What is Christianity and Who is Christ

What is Christianity and Who Is Christ Lesson Objective: The objective of this lesson is to provide a basis or foundation for the understanding of Christianity and a fundamental review of who is Jesus Christ. Scriptures: Matthew 16: 13-16 and Exodus 20:2-5 Memory Verse: John 3:16 Definition of Christianity- a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament Christendom: the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); Christianity is based on two major principles There is only one God and he is a living God Exodus 20:2-5 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he is an example for all Christians Matthew 16:13-16 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 3. Christians – the simple definition is one who strives to live like Christ or people of Christ Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16 Who is Christ? Here from the beginning of time- John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Part of the trinity of God- John 14:8-11 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all Came to earth in Human Form- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Luke 2:25-29 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God Luke 2:45-49 Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 Genealogy of Christ Born to the Virgin Mary Luke 1:26-38 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus Luke 2:1-20 Fulfilled Prophesy Psalms 22:12-18 Micah 5:2 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 61:1 Daniel 9:25 Crucified for our sins Matthew 26:2; 27:35 As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots Matthew 27:35 Mark 15:15 Isaiah 53:12 I Cor 15:3 Raised from the dead Matthew 20:19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” Matthew 28:1-5 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Acts 2:31-33 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Went back to Heaven Acts 1:9 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Mark 16:19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God Preparing a place for us John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Traits of Christ (Who is this Christ?) Humble Servant Loving Teacher Caring Obedient So What???????? Christians – the simple definition is one who strives to live like Christ or people of Christ Do we exemplify these traits?

Scripture References: Exodus 20:2-5