Jesus Died--A Really Big Deal!

2 Corinthians 5:21

• False Claim #1 – Jesus was not supposed to die. Matthew 20:28
• False Claim #2 – Jesus did not really die on the cross.
• False Claim #3 – Jesus was never actually crucified.

The Truth – Jesus died on the Cross in your place. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-6

• The beneficiaries of Christ’s death are those who believe. John 1:12; John 3:16; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8
• The benefactor is God Himself. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 10:11
• Our substitute is Jesus Himself. Romans 3:23; Hebrews 4:15; Isaiah 53:4-6; John 10:18
• The benefit is becoming righteous in God’s sight. Philippians 3:9

Who is Jesus Really?

Matthew 26:57-68

• Claim #1 – Jesus Was Just A Good Moral Teacher.
• Claim #2 – Jesus Is A Myth. (“Myth” - an invented story, a fictitious person )
• Jesus is a myth can mean He never actually existed in history.
• Jesus is a myth can mean His uniqueness was a legend made up by His followers.
• Claim #3 – Jesus Is The Son Of God. Matthew 26:62-67; John 8:57-59 ; John 10:30-33
• Jesus is believable because of His sinless life. Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22
• Jesus is believable because of His miracles. John 2:18-22; John 11:23-27, 38-44
• Jesus is believable because of His fulfilled prophesies.

If Jesus is God’s Son then…

• God must exist and He can be known through Jesus.
• Jesus’ life gives us a clear picture of what is the best way to live and how to find true meaning and fulfillment in life.
• Jesus’ death gives us a clear path to experiencing God’s love and presence and to live with God forever.
• Jesus is alive here and now.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?
Matthew 16:15-17

Temptation – What Did Jesus Do?

Matthew 4:1-11

• Introduction

• “Temptation” means to try, attempt, put to the test, entice.
• Temptation is both an enticement to sin and a test which can enrich the spiritual life.  James 1:1-4, 13-15
• Temptation to sin is always based on a lie  John 8:44
• Temptation #1– Jesus, go ahead and meet your own physical needs (v. 3-4). John 5:19; Philippians 4:19
• The lie behind the temptation:
• Your physical needs should be priority one in your life.
• Or... you deserve to have your physical needs meet.
• Or... if you can meet your physical needs, there is no need to seek God in the matter, just go ahead and meet them.
• A sinful response: I will focus on making sure my physical and material needs are met and then look at God’s plan and will. Luke 12:15
• A Jesus-like response: I declare that living with God and for God takes priority over my physical well-being, since my life is more the just my physical existence. Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 10:32-35
• Temptation #2: Jesus, demand that God perform miracles in your life in order for you to trust Him (v. 5-7).
• The lie behind the temptation:
• God must perform miracles in your life for you to trust Him.
• Or… God must always keep you safe from harm for you to trust Him. John 16:33; John 15:20; 1 Peter 4:12-13
• A sinful response: I will not trust in a God that will not keep me safe or does not prove Himself by performing miracles for me.
• A Jesus-like response: I trust God with my life to do what is best and refuse to demand additional proof from Him. Job 1:21; Luke 16:31; John 20:29
• Temptation #3 - Jesus, grasp power, authority and success for yourself now, while here on earth (v. 8-10). Philippians 2:9-11 ; Matthew 23:5-7
• A lie behind the temptation: it is best for you to grab what you can get now and not wait for God’s plan to unfold.
• A sinful response: I am in charge of my life so I will accomplish all I can while I can. James 4:6
• A Jesus-like response: I declare my allegiance to God and His plan for my life. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

God has the solution – his grace

John 3:16

• G – God Exists - “God so…” Genesis 1:1; Romans 1:19-20
• Our Problem: Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:1; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-22; John 3:19; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 1:21
• R – Radical love - “so loved the world” 1 John 4:8
• A – Amazing gift - “that He gave His One and Only Son” 1 John 4:10; Romans 8:32; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-6; Romans 5:7-8
• C – confessing christ - “that whoever believes in Him” Galatians 2:16; Luke 9:23
• “belief” means to “rely upon” or “cling to” or “place confidence in.”
• Biblical belief is not clinging to your righteous deeds; rather it is finding all of your merit in the cross.
• Biblical belief is not esteeming yourself; rather it is losing yourself for Christ’s sake.
• E – Eternal Life - “shall not perish but have eternal life”
• Perish: John 8:24; Revelation 14:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:9
• Life: Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 5:12-13; John 10:10

"God"...The greatest Lover
"So loved"...The greatest degree
"The world"...The greatest number
"That He gave"…The greatest act
"His one and only Son"…The greatest gift
"That whoever"…The greatest invitation
"Believes"...The greatest simplicity
"In Him"...The greatest Person
"Shall not perish"…The greatest deliverance
"But"....The greatest difference
"Have"....The greatest certainty"Eternal life"…The greatest destiny