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Lesson 4 - Jesus, Our FriendIntroduction: All our lessons are about Jesus and His truth, but this is a special lesson on who Jesus is and what He wants to do for us. Because of Satan's rebellion, and because Jesus loved us too much to leave us under Satan's control, Jesus left heaven and came to this earth to redeem all who want to be saved. JESUS' DIVINITY AND PREEXISTENCE 1. Shortly after Jesus was conceived within Mary, an angel explained His birth to Joseph and said He would be called Immanuel. What does Immanuel mean? Matt. 1:21-23 [The Further-study verses are Col. 2:9; Isa. 9:6; Rev. 22:13] (Matthew 1:21-23 NKJV) ""And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." {22} So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: {23} "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."" 2. Where was Jesus before the world was formed? John 17:4, 5 [John 8:58] (John 17:4-5 NKJV) ""I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. {5} "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." 3. What work did Jesus do in the beginning? John 1:1-3 [Ans: He created all things. Col. 1:16, 17] (John 1:1-3 NKJV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." 4. What does Paul call Christ? 1 Cor. 10:4 [Ans: The Rock. 2 Sam. 23:3; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:2; 31:3; 42:9; 62:2, 6] (1 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV) "and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." WHY JESUS CAME TO EARTH 5. Why are all human beings, including ourselves, doomed? Rom. 5:12 [Rom. 3:23; 6:23] (Romans 5:12 NKJV) "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;" 6. Life is only in God, and only by remaining in harmony with God can life continue. Through sin, the inhabitants of this world have placed themselves out of harmony with God and have received the death penalty. What has Jesus done to pay the penalty for our sins? Isa. 53:4-6 [John 1:29] (Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV) "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. {5} But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. {6} All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." 7. What did Jesus have to do to take our place (i. e., become our substitute) and pay for our sins? Phil. 2:5-8 [John 1:14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14] (Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV) "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, {7} but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." 8. Can we receive forgiveness by keeping God's law? Rom. 3:20 [Gal. 2:16] (Romans 3:20 NKJV) "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." 9. If keeping the law will not save us, how can we be saved from our sins? Acts 16:30, 31 (Acts 16:30-31 NKJV) "And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" {31} So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."" [Note: Belief in Jesus involves more than a mere acknowledgement of His existance, for "even the demons believe" that (James 2:19). Saving belief means accepting Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and as our personal Lord and Savior. Matt. 1:21] 10. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, what does God do with our "sins that were previously committed"? Rom. 3:24, 25 (Romans 3:24-25 NKJV) "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, {25} whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed," [Note: When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He becomes our substitute and we are free from condemnation. From that point on, Christ will begin to mold and fashion us after His own likeness. Eph. 2:8] 11. In order for us to be forgiven, a change must take place in our attitudes. We must be sorry for our sins. How can we become sorry (repentant) for our sins so that we can receive the merits of Christ's death in our behalf? Acts 5:30, 31 (Acts 5:30-31 NKJV) ""The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. {31} "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." [Ans: We cannot make ourselves sorry for our sins. We must come to Jesus just as we are, and He will give us both repentance and forgiveness. Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Luke 24:47] 12. Besides giving us repentance and forgiveness for the sins we have committed, what else does Jesus promise to do for us? 1 John 1:9 [Ans: To cleanse us. Eze. 36:25-29] (1 John 1:9 NKJV) "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 13. How does God cleanse us from sin, transforming our characters? Rom. 8:1-4, 13-14 (Romans 8:1-4 NKJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, {4} that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:13-14 NKJV) "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." [Ans: By giving us the same Spirit (that is, the same divine power) that kept Jesus from sin. 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:21; John 8:34-36] 14. After Jesus came down to live and die in our behalf, where did He go and what is He doing for us today? Heb. 4:14-16 (Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV) "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. {15} For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." [Ans: He went back to heaven to become our "High Priest" that He might help those who are weak and tempted and who call upon Him for help. Heb. 7:25; 2:17-18; 6:19-20] 15. What motive prompted God to give us this wonderful friend and Savior, Jesus, who can save us from sin and give us eternal life? John 3:16 [Acts 4:12; John 15:13; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1-3] (John 3:16 NKJV) ""For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Commitment: If you believe in Jesus as your Savior, He will give you repentance and forgiveness, and He will help you in every time of need. God loves you, and He wants you to live with Him forever. That is why He gave His only Son to die in your place. That is why Jesus is still ministering for you in heaven as your High Priest. Will you accept Him as your Lord and Savior today? Will you ask Jesus to come into your life and make you His child?
Further Study VersesQuestion 1 - Further Study (Colossians 2:9 NKJV) "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;" (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV) "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Revelation 22:13 NKJV) ""I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."" -->Back to Study Question 2 - Further Study (John 8:58 NKJV) "Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."" -->Back to Study Question 3 - Further Study (Colossians 1:16-17 NKJV) "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. {17} And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." -->Back to Study Question 4 - Further Study (Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV) "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He." (2 Samuel 23:3 NKJV) "The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God." (Psalms 18:2 NKJV) "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." (Psalms 31:3 NKJV) "For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." (Psalms 42:9 NKJV) "I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"" (Psalms 62:2 NKJV) "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved." (Psalms 62:6 NKJV) "He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved." -->Back to Study Question 5 - Further Study (Romans 3:23 NKJV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 6:23 NKJV) "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." -->Back to Study Question 6 - Further Study (John 1:29 NKJV) "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" -->Back to Study Question 7 - Further Study (John 1:14 NKJV) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV) "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory." (Hebrews 2:14 NKJV) "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil," -->Back to Study Question 8 - Further Study (Galatians 2:16 NKJV) ""knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified." -->Back to Study Question 9 - Further Study (James 2:19 NKJV) "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!" (John 14:6 NKJV) "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (Matthew 1:21 NKJV) ""And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."" -->Back to Study Question 10 - Further Study (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," -->Back to Study Question 11 - Further Study (Romans 2:4 NKJV) "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" (2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV) "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (Luke 24:47 NKJV) ""and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." -->Back to Study Question 12 - Further Study (Ezekiel 36:25-29 NKJV) ""Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. {26} "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. {27} "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. {28} "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. {29} "I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you." -->Back to Study Question 13 - Further Study (Matthew 1:21 NKJV) ""And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."" (John 8:34-36 NKJV) "Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. {35} "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. {36} "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV) "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." -->Back to Study Question 14 - Further Study (Hebrews 7:25 NKJV) "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 2:17-18 NKJV) "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. {18} For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." (Hebrews 6:19-20 NKJV) "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, {20} where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." -->Back to Study Question 15 - Further Study (Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (John 15:13 NKJV) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 1:12 NKJV) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV) "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. {2} Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. {3} And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." -->Back to Study
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