THAT'S MY JESUS!

Today, I want to talk to you about Jesus Christ.  When He was on the cross, at the last moment of his earthly life, he yelled out, “It is finished!” 

Actually, Jesus did not say, “It is finished.”  He said, “Tetelestai!”  That is a Greek word, and it doesn’t just mean, “It is finished.” 

It also means, “It is completed”, “it is accepted”, and “The debt is paid in full”.  It is not a cry of defeat but a shout of victory!   

When a servant finished the task given to him, he would report back to the master and say, “It is completed.”  And the master would then tell the servant, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”  As Jesus finished the task He was sent to accomplish, He told His heavenly Father that it was completed. 

When the Israelite people would bring their sacrificial offerings to the priest, the priest would examine it and then say, “It is accepted!”  As Jesus became the final and perfect offering for our sins, His heavenly Father said, “It is accepted!” 

When someone finishes paying off a debt, the one who is paid will say, “It is paid in full!”  When God looks at our sin today, He says, “Paid in full” because of what Jesus did for us on that cross. 

So, no matter what you have heard about Jesus in church or from other people, please keep in mind that God’s story is not a difficult-to-understand story; but a very easy-to-understand story. 

Here it is in a nutshell.   

GENESIS 1:1 

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” 

The original word used for “God” was “Elohim.”  That word actually meant, “Gods”, in the plural.  It referred to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  They were here in the beginning, and they will be here throughout eternity. 

After He created the world and everything in it, He created man.  He created man to fellowship with God.  But with fellowship, comes trust and accountability.  Man showed he could not be trusted and could not live up to any accountability.   

So, man focused his attention on what he wanted and turned his back on what he knew God wanted.  He ate the fruit God said for him not to eat.  And then he found out what 'consequences' were. 

Man was expelled from the Garden of Eden; the perfect earthly paradise made especially for man.  And as he left God’s perfect and protected place, he stepped out into the world; a place dominated by Satan.  A place of chaos and brutality; stark existence with no available hope.

And from that moment until now, man has chosen to live in that world, spending his life pursuing his own desires and keeping God out of his life.  And man has made up all kinds of stories and untruths to justify his stubborn and sinful feelings.  But what has God been doing during these many years?  God has continued to love us so much, He pursued us; trying to get us to turn back towards Him. 

I wonder; if someone had turned their back on us for a long time, and had done everything in their power to deny our existence, would we still love them and pursue them?   

So God finally made a decision.  He knew that to forgive sin required a blood sacrifice.  This was because sin warrants death, and blood signifies death.  We must die to our sin in order to live again in Christ.   

So God sent His Son to walk among men.

JOHN 3:16 

‘For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son, that whoever would trust in Him will not die but live forever.’

He came, not to judge, but to save.  And the only way we can be saved is through the perfect and spotless blood of Jesus.  And as that sacrificial Lamb, Jesus became the most important person to have ever lived on this earth.   

Now, considering how important He is, if you were given the opportunity to introduce Him to the world, what would say?  I think if I were given that opportunity, I would follow the lead of a man by the name of Steve Harvey.  He is not only a comedian and a radio host, but he is also, and more importantly, a very devout Christian.  So, here is how I would do it. 

I would get on the biggest stage I could find, and have every television station in the world filming it.  I would stand there in front of the microphone and I would say: 

“Ladies and gentlemen of the world, it is my highest honor to introduce someone we all know.  His name is written in the center of our hearts.  His has so many accomplishments that it would take all eternity to list them. 

He has done the impossible, time after time after time.  He comes from a manger in Bethlehem by way of Heaven.  His mother is still mentioned in churches around the globe and His father is the author of a book that has been on the best-seller list since the beginning of time itself. 

He has the distinction of hosting the world’s largest picnic, having fed over 5,000 people with just two fish and five loaves of bread.  He has walked on water and turned that water into wine – all without any special effects or tricks.  Nobody today has ever seen Him, but everybody in the world knows what He looks like. 

Before there was any earthly authority, this man was hailed as the Lord of lords and King of kings.  The Creator of the Universe.  He is the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End.  He is the Bright and Morning Star, the Rose of Sharon and the Ruler of everything.  Everything is held together in Him, by Him, and for Him.  The sound of His voice is in every particle of every thing. 

So get up on your feet and welcome the man who needs no introduction; the Savior of mankind – Jesus, the Christ! 

That is how I would do it. 

I would do it that way because it is all about Him, and not about us.  As you look at Jesus, you see a life that can never be copied, a righteousness that can never tarnish, a peace that can never be taken away, and a rest that can never be disturbed. 

Jesus is the joy that cannot disappointed, and the glory that can never be clouded.  He is the eternal light that shall never be darkened and perfection that cannot be marred.  There is no need He cannot meet, no hurt He cannot heal, and no soul He cannot love. 

The Bible says Jesus is the King of the Jews, the King of Israel, the King of righteousness, and the King of the Ages.  That is what my Bible says about Jesus. 

It goes on to say He is the King of Heaven, and the King of Glory.  He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  That is my King.  I wonder … do you know Him personally today? 

My King has a love that knows no limits.  My King is eternally strong and steadfast.  He is full of grace and filled with Heavenly power.  He’s merciful and forgiving. 

My King, Jesus the Christ, is the greatest man who ever walked on this planet.  He is God’s only begotten Son.  He is mankind’s Savior and the very center of civilization.

He is unequaled in all He does; He supplies strength for the weak, and forgiveness for the wicked.  He is always available and has never rejected a plea for salvation, and He is Jehovah Jirah, he Great Provider.  He defends the weak and delivers the helpless. 

He blesses those who have scorned Him, He lifts the downtrodden, and He came as a servant and not a Master.  My King is knowledge and wisdom, He is the Prince of Peace, He is the path of deliverance, and the roadway to Heaven.  That’s my King. 

I wish I could introduce Him in all His glory today, but the words I know do are not worthy to do that.  I wish I could describe Him today, but my words are insufficient. 

Jesus, my King, is indescribable.  To man, He is incomprehensible.  He is invincible and irresistible.  You cannot get Him out of your mind.  You cannot outlive Him and you cannot live without Him. 

The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.  Pilate couldn’t find fault in Him and Herod couldn’t kill Him.  Death couldn’t handle Him and the ground couldn’t hold Him.   

He is the everlasting Counselor, Savior, Father, Redeemer, and Lover of my soul.  He is the Lion of Judah and the healer of wounds.  He is our shield, our comforter, and our solid rock on which we stand.  

None of these are just nicknames His mommy gave Him while she was sewing a tunic for His temple time as a child.  These are actually words and titles, that if you really knew what they meant, they would make you shudder.  If you knew all that He is, you would see how little you are without Him.  It would cause you to make decisions you have always avoided.  Decisions as to what you are willing to do with Jesus. 

Each of us must make that decision, and by trying to avoid it and not make it – we have already made it.  We have chosen to deny the Son. 

1 JOHN 2:15 warns us; 

‘A person who will have nothing to do with the Son and turns against Him does not even know the Father.  But the one who confesses Jesus also has the Father.’ 

But if you chose to follow Him; I mean really follow after Him; you get to follow the One who is the fulfillment to hundreds of prophecies and the main figure in most conversations throughout history. 

What are you willing to do with Jesus?  Are you willing to put your leadership aside  and let Him be the Guiding Light in you?  How much of yourself are you willing to devote to Him?  I think to answer that; we must first understand what we think about Him.  Who is He to us?  And is He really that important to us? 

No matter how hard you try, you are not allowed to be neutral when it comes to Jesus.  You are on one side of the fence or the other, but you will never be able to straddle the fence on this one.  If you don’t really know if He changes lives or not, then I would say you don’t really know Him, because my Jesus is all about changing lives.  

He is the most important man to have ever lived, and mankind tries to relegate Him down to nothing more than “a good man.” 

PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11 tells us, 

‘When the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone in Heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow down before Him.  And every tongue will say that Jesus Christ is the Lord.’

THAT’S MY KING!  DO YOU KNOW HIM TODAY?

I said it is all about Him, and not about us.  I think we must again ask ourselves  “What are we willing to do with Jesus?” 

There are some who will hear that and immediately close their ears to it.  Then some will begin to recount all the “things” they have done in their Christian career.  And I pray there will be many who hear this and the message echoes in their souls, and causes them to change their lives – every day for the rest of their lives. 

You must realize that He is the central figure in the best selling book of all time.  He claims to be the highway to holiness and the gateway to glory.  His love never changes and His mercy is permanent.  His says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. 

He has more titles than a library has books, and all the books in the world could not hold His many deeds.  His Word claims that nobody comes to the Father except through Him as their Savior.  Is that the truth or is that an outrageous exaggeration?  You have to make that decision for yourself.  And you should be very, very careful as you do, because your eternal soul is riding on your answer. 

If you aren’t sure and you have questions about Jesus, why aren’t you asking them?  And if you are a believer in Jesus, why aren’t you doing more for Him?  Why aren’t you doing what He said to do, and why aren’t you sharing His story more?  Why would we claim to believe in somebody we are not willing to try and be like?  That is like saying you are a fisherman but refusing to go out and buy a rod and reel.  You either are, or you aren’t – in either scenario.   

Charles Blondin was the most famous tightrope walker in history.  He lived in the early 1900’s.  He was known for walking across Niagara Falls, 160 feet above the water, on a rope that stretched for nearly 2 miles.  

He was also famous for his theatrics.  He walked across that rope on stilts and he walked across it blindfolded.  He even walked across carrying a chair, only to sit down half way across, make an omelet, and eat it before finishing his walk. 

But perhaps the most astounding feat came when he pushed an empty wheelbarrow across, and then returned with it.  Everyone cheered, and he asked one question.  He asked how many in the crowd believed he could do it again, but with a person in the wheelbarrow.  The crowed broke out in loud cheers, but grew deathly quiet when Mr. Blondin asked if there were any volunteers. 

It seems they believed, but not enough for them to do it.  That is like many Christians today:  They believe in Jesus, but not enough to change their lives to be like Him; and certainly not enough to 'go and do' as Jesus commanded.  They seem to be content with keeping Jesus their own little secret.  They go to church on Sunday, and then as they leave, they fail to take Jesus with them.  Seems some people who profess Christ do so while wanting absolutely no personal involvement with Him.  They want to be Christians, but not enough to live like one.

Mr. Blondin saw the crowd grow quiet.  The silence lasted for what seemed like an eternity.  And then one man came forward to get in the wheelbarrow.  Mr. Blondin  then pushed the wheelbarrow back over the falls, and returned with the man safe and sound still inside. 

In regards to Jesus Christ, where are you this morning?  Are you in the crowd, standing like you don't want to be noticed, hoping the subject will quickly change - or are you walking towards the wheelbarrow?  Are you trying to “be like” Jesus, or are you trying your best to distance yourself from Him when you are around others?  What are you really committed to:  Jesus Christ or your own worldly comfort? 

Peter was in the boat one dark and stormy night.  Waves were crashing all around the boat and the only light they had was when lightening flashed.  And then it was only for one brief second before it got dark again. 

And then he saw somebody out there walking on the water.  I think we can all imagine just how scared he might have been.  Peter may have talked too much and may have sometimes spoke aimlessly, but he had faith.  Peter lived by faith.   

Peter called out and said, “Christ if that is You, tell me to come to You.”  Jesus answered back over the noise of the storm and simply said, “Come!”  And what did Peter do?  He did something most of us would never have the courage to do in the same situation; he stepped out of the boat and started walking to Jesus. 

Peter was committed.  He stepped out in faith, knowing he could have been putting himself in harms way.  Do we step out in faith?  The worst thing that could happen to us if we did, would be to have someone give us a  rude comment.. 

But how many people are so deathly afraid of that happening, that they are more willing to be rude to Jesus than have someone else be rude to them?   

As we go before our Lord this morning, I want you to decide how committed you are to Jesus Christ.  Is He your King?  Is He your Lord?  Is He your Provider? 

Miriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines trust as: 

• to place full confidence in

• to fully depend upon

• to commit one’s care to

• to rely on the truth and accuracy involved.’

JOHN 3:15 tells us,

‘Whoever puts his trust in Jesus will have life that will last forever.’

Simply stated, but with all the depth of meaning in the Universe.

As we go into our time of invitation, I want to ask you: 

1. Do you know Jesus today?  I mean really know Him?

2. And if you do, what are you willing to do with Him in your life today?

3. Are you willing to finally put your trust in Him today?

I wonder; do you know my Jesus today?  If you don’t … you can.  All you have to do is walk up here and turn your life over to Him.  The simplest and most powerful act you will have do on this earth.

And all we have to do is realize it really isn't about us after all.  It is all about Him in us.

INVITATION 

* This sermon was based upon Steve Harvey’s "Introduction to Christ" , and the late Pastor S.M. Lockridge’s sermon entitled "My King" and "The Jesus Rant" as displayed by The Veracity Project.