Homecoming 2018 - Jesus: The Biblical Jesus and The Personal Jesus

Class Outline:

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/Welcome To 

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher\

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…a Christian Church that makes a difference worldwide courtesy of the internet. Barah Ministries…a Christian Church that makes a difference locally in the Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler, AZ communities.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  At Barah Ministries, our God is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we teach the Word of God from God’s perspective, not from man’s perspective.  

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Jesus:  The Biblical Jesus and The Personal Jesus\

 

What a friend we have in Jesus…it’s the title of a famous spiritual song.  We have a sacrificial Lord who considered it His responsibility to wipe out the sin problem with His blood on the Cross so that all creatures could be reconciled to God the Father.  Our sins were forgiven in the past, and the result is our sins stand forgiven forever. First John, Chapter 2, Verses 1 and 2…

 

/FIRST JOHN 2:1

My little children, I (the apostle John) am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, and of course we do, we have an Advocate with God the Father…Jesus Christ the righteous…\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the ONLY righteous one…the ONLY ONE who has lived a sinless life…and His work at the Cross gives us a chance to be righteous through a grace gift directly from our God…

 

 

/FIRST JOHN 2:2 

…and Jesus Christ Himself is the propitiation for our sins…and not for our sins only (as believers in Christ), but also for the sins of the whole world

(unbelievers as well).\

 

Propitiation.  What does that mean?  It means that in the eyes of God the Father, there is ONLY ONE PERFECT AND SATISFACTORY PAYMENT FOR SINS…and that perfectly satisfactory payment is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Cross.  Nothing you do as a human being could ever cover your sins or pay for your sins.  Jesus does all the sin work and God the Father approves His work.

 

Welcome to a place where you can learn about this God who was willing to lay down His life so that you could live…the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Song Introduction

 

God gives us a way to communicate with Him…a way to use His divine omnipotence in human circumstances…a way to be powerful when human strength just isn’t enough (which is most of the time)…Matthew, Chapter 21, Verse 22 says…

 

/MATTHEW 21:22

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”\

 

Prayer is the way we communicate with God…prayer is the way we take advantage of His power…Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 6 says…

 

/PHILIPPIANS 4:6

Be anxious for nothing (stop worrying about anything)…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God the Father…\

 

When we pray, we do so expecting that God will answer…Hebrews, Chapter 4, Verse 16…

 

/HEBREWS 4:16

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.\

Here’s June Murphy to sing a song she wrote about prayer…the song is called WE PRAY TO THE FATHER.

 

/MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

WE PRAY TO THE FATHER

June Murphy\

 

/OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...\

 

Almighty God and Father…thank you for transforming us through the renewing of our minds with the daily study of the Word of God…thank you for changing the things that come from our mouths knowing that the tongue is as dangerous as a spark that can burn down an entire forest…thank you for indwelling our bodies so that we have the power inside of us not to turn our bodies over to the lusts of the flesh…thank you for giving us a soul and spirit that are a perfect reflection of You…

 

Help us to use these gifts you have given us…the mind…the tongue…the body…the soul…and the spirit…to glorify You, Father…remove from us all that is not You…show us how to walk in a manner worthy of You and in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, so that we can practice, “It is not I who lives…but Christ lives indwelling me” … and protect Pastor Farley and Jack in their journey home…bless them abundantly and keep them from harm in a world that does not love or respect men of God such as these…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name... Amen.

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Jesus:  The Biblical Jesus and The Personal Jesus\

 

Pastor John Farley and I have taken on the pleasurable task of telling you about our friend Jesus.  In a few moments, we’ll welcome up Pastor Farley to conclude his look at The Biblical Jesus.  

In a William Shakespeare play, Juliet says good night to Romeo this way... 

 

/ROMEO AND JULIET

 

“Parting is such sweet sorrow...that I shall say goodnight until it be the morrow.”\

 

What a great pleasure, Pastor John, to have you and Jack join us here at Barah Ministries for the non-resident congregation homecoming. This will always be your home. All of us are edified by your presence and your wisdom and your kindness.  You are living proof that men of impact come in packages that sometimes look like a mess, as you describe it...I can say for certain that in your soul you are anything but a mess...you are a man after God’s own heart who will do all His will.  To have you as a friend is one of the greatest pleasures in my life.

 

Jack you’re quite a young man.  Honestly, I have no confidence in your generation.  But then I get to see and to spend time with a young person like you, and it makes me reconsider my thoughts.  To be sure, you have a lead foot...but if that’s the worst thing about you then I can leave this world confident that there is hope. The sky is the limit for you...which means you have no limits...and I pray that you will soar as you pursue your dreams...I pray that you make a difference in this lost and dying world, one person at a time...I pray that you revere the magnificent father you have for the foundation of truth he has placed in your soul...I pray that you know how marvelous your mother and sister are as well...and I pray that you love and respect them as they deserve.  Please know that anything I can do to speed your life journey, I am willing to do.

 

Thanks to you both for gracing us out with your presence and for your excellent contribution to this fabulous weekend celebration.

 

Let’s welcome up Pastor John Farley...and let’s thank him for his contribution to our understanding of the Word of God this weekend.

 

 

Intro to the Break Song

There is nothing worse in this life than hopelessness. In Psalm 39, Verse 7 David reflects...

 

/PSALM 39:7

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.”\

 

Here’s June Murphy to sing a song she wrote about the God who is our hope...a song called...THERE’S JUST ONE HOPE.  After the song we’ll take a break and then we’ll come back and take the offering.

 

/MUSIC BREAK                              

THERE IS ONE HOPE

June Murphy \

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Jesus:  The Biblical Jesus and The Personal Jesus\

 

Giving is both a spiritual gift and a function of our ambassadorship.  When it is a spiritual gift it is supernatural.  People with the supernatural spiritual gift of giving do so with an insane generosity.  Those who give as a function of their ambassadorship give based on ability.  

 

Several things should guide your giving.  First and foremost…just give.  Second Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verse 7 says…

 

/SECOND CORINTHIANS 9:7

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.\

 

In other words, your giving should be done with the individual freedom you have from God to do as you please.  Giving should not be unduly influenced by prejudice or regret.  

 

When you give to this ministry you provide the Word of God to people all over the world.  Genuinely, we appreciate everything you do to advance the work of this ministry.

 

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with today’s offering message.

 

/THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall\

 

/OFFERING VERSE

 

ROMANS 12:4-5 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

.\

 

/OFFERING

FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE

Dave McClure, Instrumental\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Jesus:  The Biblical Jesus and The Personal Jesus\

 

First and foremost, Jesus Christ is my friend.  

 

Do you, as a believer in Christ, see Jesus Christ that way?  

 

Is Jesus your friend? 

 

My relationship with Jesus Christ is personal.  That’s because He is a personal God, and I am His possession.  He considers my problems to be His responsibility.  I have an eternal relationship with Him.  I am married to Him.  He is the only Person who has known me forever.  He knows everything about me.  He knows more about me than I know about myself.  He created me.  We are close.  I depend on Him.  He edifies me, just as all good friends do.  He fills me.  He doesn’t think I’m inferior.  He is loyal and faithful.  He is on my side.  He has my back.  He has surrounded me in with a sphere…a geodesic dome…filled with unconditional love and grace and forgiveness and acceptance.  Our relationship is deep and intimate, as well as personal.

 

Second, Jesus Christ is the primary influence in my life. 

 

What is the most influential relationship in your life?  

 

How does it edify you?

 

Jesus is at the center of my life.  He is the still point in my turning world.  Jesus is my rudder.  His thinking guides my course.  He sets the direction of my life. He changes my thinking.  He encourages me to become my best self.

 

Finally, Jesus shows me how to act, especially how to treat people.

 

The world seems desperate for role models.  I’ve always considered this unusual.  Since every one of us is as unique as our fingerprints, I always wondered why we would want to mimic someone else rather than just being ourselves.  

 

Yet if there is a role model…if there is someone whose thinking and whose conduct we can emulate, it’s Jesus Christ.  Without question He is my role model.  Whenever I am confused about how to handle a situation, I just look to Jesus.  The bible gives us a plethora of examples concerning how the Lord handles real life situations, and I have learned plenty from Him. I feel as if the bible is a handbook for life and the Lord is my experiential guide.  All He has done is tried and true, and so following His lead just makes good sense.

 

For example, Jesus Christ taught me how to treat women.  John, Chapter 8, Verses 1 to 11…

 

/JOHN 8:1

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.\

 

/JOHN 8:2 

Early in the morning Jesus came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him...and He sat down and began to teach them.\

 

/JOHN 8:3 

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court...\

 

 

 

/JOHN 8:4 

...they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.”\

 

Notice...they didn’t bring the man who was involved in the adultery...he was probably a Pharisee.

 

/JOHN 8:5 

Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women...what then do You say?”\

 

/JOHN 8:6 

The Pharisees were saying this, testing Jesus, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.\

 

/JOHN 8:7 

But when they persisted in asking Him, Jesus straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”\ 

 

/JOHN 8:8 

Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.\

 

/JOHN 8:9 

When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman was left where she was, in the center of the court.\

 

/JOHN 8:10 

Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”\

 

/JOHN 8:11 

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”\

 

You can always tell the content of a person’s character by how they treat the least among us…by how they treat the little people.  How do you treat adulterous people…people who engage in obvious sins, like homosexuality…how do you treat people who have been divorced…how do you treat people when they have made mistakes?  Are you mentally condescending?  Are you forgiving?  Are you unconditional like God is with you?  How do you treat family members?

 

Jesus taught me how to treat women.  My friends love teasing me for my selectionof women.  They love teasing me for being a “fixer” of women.  But I can count on one hand the times anyone, even in my own self-assessment, has had anything negative to say about my treatmentof women.  I have Jesus Christ to thank for that.  Matthew, Chapter 9, Verses 9 to 13…

 

/MATTHEW 9:9

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth…and Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!” And Matthew got up and followed Jesus.\

 

/MATTHEW 9:10 

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.\

 

/MATTHEW 9:11 

When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?”\

 

/MATTHEW 9:12 

But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick (need a physician).”\

 

/MATTHEW 9:13 

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”\

 

Jesus hung out with the “undesirables.”

 

Jesus Christ taught me how to handle betrayal, both by my enemies and by my friends.  I certainly don’t want to treat my enemies well. Matthew, Chapter 26, Verses 20 to 25 highlights the prediction of betrayal by the Lord’s enemy at The Last Supper…

 

/MATTHEW 26:20

Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.\

 

/MATTHEW 26:21 

As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”\

 

/MATTHEW 26:22 

Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”\

 

/MATTHEW 26:23 

And Jesus answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.”\

 

Our enemies feign fellowship with us…and then they put a knife in our backs.

 

/MATTHEW 26:24 

“The Son of Man is to go (to the Cross), just as it is written of Him…but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”\

 

Judas only had accepted the money for the betrayal at this point…but he had not betrayed the Lord yet. The Lord was giving Judas a final chance to change his mind.

 

/MATTHEW 26:25 

And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”\

 

The Lord was subtle in His accusation. If the Lord had been more obvious, the other apostles would likely have beaten the crap out of Judas.  In Matthew, Chapter 26, Verses 47 to 50 Judas completes the betrayal…

 

/MATTHEW 26:47

While Jesus was still speaking to His disciples, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.\

 

/MATTHEW 26:48 

Now Judas who was betraying Jesus gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one…seize Him.”\

 

/MATTHEW 26:49 

Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.\

 

/MATTHEW 26:50 

And Jesus said to him, “FRIEND, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.\

 

I’m not sure I could have been as forgiving with an enemy as the Lord was if I had not learned forgiveness from Him.  I’m not sure I could call my enemy friend.

 

Jesus Christ taught me how to handle betrayal by my friends as well.  Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 31 to 34…

 

/LUKE 22:31

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift all of you disciples like wheat…”\

 

/LUKE 22:32 

“…but I have prayed (specifically) for you (Peter), that your faith may not fail…and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”\

 

Jesus knew that Peter, in spite of his weaknesses, would be a leader among the disciples.

 

/LUKE 22:33 

But Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”\ 

 

Peter thought he was strong.

 

/LUKE 22:34 

And Jesus said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”\

 

Peter’s spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.  We know the rest of the

story.  Peter betrayed Jesus.  And when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, who was His first concern? Mark, Chapter 16, Verses 6 and 7…

 

/MARK 16:6

And the angel said to the women, “Do not be amazed…you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen…He is not here… behold, here is the place where they laid Him.”\

 

/MARK 16:7 

“But go, tell Jesus’ disciples and Peter, ‘Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee…there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”\

 

Jesus was looking to edify Peter.

 

Jesus is my friend, my primary influence, the model of character and conduct.  I consider my deep, intimate and personal relationship with Him to me the most amazing thing I could ever experience.  I am grateful that I will have it for all time, and the love I have for Him will continue to intensify for all eternity.

 

Thanks to all of you for a great weekend.

 

/GOD WANTS YOU!

Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life\

 

The closing moments of our study are for the benefit of anyone who does not have a personal relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We want you to know that GOD WANTS YOU. 

 

What is going to happen to you when you close your eyes in this life?  Is there an “afterlife?”  And if there is, how can you get to heaven?

 

Many people believe that religious rituals are their ticket into heaven. They embrace religious beliefs that tell them how to live a spiritual life. The religion claims there is a God, or there are many gods…but the religion does not tell you how to have a personal relationship with Him. Quite often, despite following all of the religious rituals, the religion does not guarantee that following those rituals will get you into heaven.

 

In John, Chapter 4, Verses 13 and 14, the Lord Jesus Christ is talking to a woman at a well…a Samaritan woman whom the Jews wanted nothing to do with…after a brief conversation, the Lord says to her…

 

/JOHN 4:13

“Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again…”\

 

/JOHN 4:14 

“…but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst…but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”\

 

It is the Lord’s will for you to come to heaven to live with Him when you close your eyes in this life. Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9 says…

 

/SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of, but instead He is patient toward you unbelievers, not wishing for any of you to perish (in the Lake of Fire) but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).\

 

First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 3 and 4…

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is good and acceptable in the sight of the God who is our Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ)…\

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4 

…who desires all men to be saved and for all men to come to the knowledge of the truth.\

 

The truth of how to get to heaven is this simple…it’s a nine-word conversation…Luke, Chapter 23, Verses 42 and 43…

 

/LUKE 23:42

And a thief being crucified next to Jesus was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”\

 

/LUKE 23:43 

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”\

 

Or if you prefer…it’s a five word conversation with God the Father… “Father…I believe in Christ.” Simply believe…and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  Now once the Lord saves you, no matter how hard you try, you cannot lose your salvation…John, Chapter 10, Verse 28 says…

 

/JOHN 10:28

“…and I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ, and they will never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”\

 

On the other hand, if you reject the relationship offer of this God who does not want you to perish, He will honor your rejection…Matthew, Chapter 13, Verses 49 and 50…

 

/MATTHEW 13:49

So it will be at the end of the age…the elect angels will come forth and take out the wicked (unbelievers) from among the righteous (believers in Christ)...\

 

 

/MATTHEW 13:50 

…and will throw them into the furnace of fire…in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.\

 

Here’s the truth…John, Chapter 3, Verse 16…

 

/JOHN 3:16

“For God the Father loved the world unconditionally, and He loved the world so much, that He gave His uniquely born Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”\

 

Take the free gift of eternal life right now!  There’s no time to waste!  God wants you!  Here’s June Murphy to invite you to a “so great salvation” with her song…WHOSOEVER.

         

/CLOSING SONG

WHOSOEVER

June Murphy\

 

/CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...\

 

         THANKS- INTERCESSION- PETITION

 

/Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

www.barahministries.com\