Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 13 The Character of CHRIST

Part 2

JESUS Has a Love for Souls

HIS love for the souls of men is never-ending. HE came as the GOOD SHEPHERD to seek the lost, both Jew and Gentile.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

JESUS loved the multitudes. HE came to die for all mankind.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

However, HIS ministry was most often one of individual soul winning. He reached people one by one. The first chapter of John gives the account of HIS dealings with some of John´s disciples.

Andrew and his friend in John 1:37-40
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

Peter in John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Philip in John 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Nathanael in John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

JESUS deals with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


JESUS deals with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:5-30
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.


JESUS deals with the blind man in John 9:1-11
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

HIS love for mankind is shown in HIS willingness to go and search for the lost.

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

JESUS felt joy in the finding of the lost sinner.

Luke 15:5-7 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Also, JESUS felt grief over every soul that rejected HIM.

Luke 19:41-42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

A Quote to Ponder

Love is a friendship set to music. - E. Joseph Cossman

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 13 The Character of CHRIST

Part 1

What kind of person was JESUS? What do we mean when we say we want to be like JESUS? HE is our example, not just in actions, but also in character.

I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Being conformed to the image of CHRIST means being conformed to HIS character.

JESUS Was Holy

We covered this aspect in the lesson on the sinlessness of CHRIST. HE was holy, completely, totally, absolutely holy. From birth HE was without a sin nature. HE never committed any sin. HE always did what was right and pure.

Acts3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

CHRIST demonstrated HIS holiness by HIS love of righteousness and by HIS hate of iniquity. HE cleansed the temple. HE denounced hypocrisy and sin.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

JESUS Was Loving

JESUS demonstrated HIS love toward HIS FATER and toward mankind.

John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

HE proved HIS love for HIS FATHER by obedience.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

HE proved HIS love by finishing the work that the FATHER gave HIM to do.

John 17:44 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

JESUS had a special love for the church.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

JESUS had a special love for HIS own.

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

JESUS also loved and still loves sinners.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.


JESUS proved HIS love by becoming poor so that we might be rich.

II Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

The ultimate proof of HIS love was willingly and voluntarily dying for us.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

JESUS continues to demonstrate HIS love to us by caring for us day by day.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

A Quote to Ponder

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. - Unknown

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 12 The Sinlessness of CHRIST

Part 2

As we continue this lesson we will look at the consequences of denying that CHRIST was sinless and the results of HIS being sinless.

Consequences of Denying the Sinlessness of CHRIST

If JESUS were, in fact, sinful like us, HE would have had to die on the cross of Calvary for HIS own sins and we would still be lost and undone in the hopelessness of our sins.

If JESUS were, in fact, sinful like us, HE could be neither the SON of GOD nor the son of man, the SAVIOUR.

If JESUS were, in fact, sinful like us, it would be impossible for HIM to be a sacrifice on Calvary.

If JESUS were, in fact, sinful like us, the church is established on sinking sand and we are lost.

To deny that JESUS CHRIST was sinless is to rob mankind of a SAVIOUR and of the salvation HE willingly paid for by HIS own sacrifice.

The Results of the Sinlessness of CHRIST

The fact that JESUS was sinless made HIM the perfect revelation of GOD to mankind.

The fact that JESUS was human and sinless guarantees a perfect mediator. HE came down to the level of mankind, was tempted as we are and yet resisted and overcame.

The fact the JESUS was sinless allowed HIM to give us a perfect example to follow.

I Peter 2:21-22 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:


We need to rise up in worship and praise GOD that JESUS CHRIST was without sin of any kind and that HE returned to heaven sinless because HE lived a life of total moral perfection.

We need to bow down before HIM in worship, praise, and adoration. HE was victorious and so can we be.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

A Quote to Ponder

Science may never come up with a better office communication system than the coffee break.
- Earl Wilsom

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 12 The Sinlessness of CHRIST

Part 1

JESUS was born without original sin; without a sin nature. This was possible because HE had no human father. In this lesson we will search the Scripture to show that HE lived HIS entire life without ever having committed one, single sin. HE lived and died without the stain of sin. JESUS CHRIST was not some sort of a hybrid, half GOD and half man. He was truly man and truly GOD. These two natures were totally separate and distinct in every aspect. JESUS was a perfect and normal man; the ideal man and yet HE was as human as we are. The uniqueness of JESUS is due to the fact that HE lived a life that was completely untainted by sin.

What Does the Sinlessness of CHRIST Mean?

Sinfulness is a lack of conformity to the will of GOD. Sinlessness is complete conformity (obedience) to the will of GOD.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Sinfulness is to be at war with the will of GOD and to walk a path of sin. Sin has an external aspect. Examples are lying, stealing, murder, etc. However, sin has an internal aspect as well because the thoughts of the heart are the root of evil actions.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

JESUS was sinless in both aspects. He willingly and completely conformed to all that is and was good and holy at all times.

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

I Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?



The Sinlessness of CHRIST

Acts 4:27 and 30 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.


The expression “Thy holy child JESUS” occurs twice in this passage. From HIS birth HE was holy, pure, sinless, and total free from defilement.

Demons (devils) immediately recognized JESUS.

Mark 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Of course, the strongest proof of CHRIST´s sinlessness is not from the testimony of demons, but from the inspired WORD of GOD which we believe to be true.

I Peter 2:21-22 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

I John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.


Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

I John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Testimony of CHRIST´s sinlessness

1. The testimony of JESUS HIMSELF.

John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

HE was without sin. HE was the only man that could ever make such a claim since the fall of Adam. No evil thought ever entered into HIS perfect and holy mind.

2. The testimony of Pontius Pilate.

John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

3. The testimony of Pilate´s wife.

Matthew 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

4. The testimony of the thief on the cross.

Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

5. The testimony of Judas Iscariot.

Matthew 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

6. The testimony of the Roman Centurion.

Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

A Quote to Ponder

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance. - Aesop

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Searching the Scripture

Lesson 11 The Humanity of CHRIST

Part 3

JESUS was moved by the instincts of normal human beings.

1. HE hungered.
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

2. HE thirsted.
John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

The fifth cry from the cross - John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

3. HE became weary.
John 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

4. HE slept.
Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

5. HE loved.
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

6. HE had compassion.
Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

7. HE was angry and grieved.
Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

8. HE showed reverential trust.
Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

9. HE groaned.
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

10. HE wept.
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

11. HE prayed.
Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Without a doubt, CHRIST also possessed the sex instinct although it is not referred to in the Scripture. However, if HE did not than Hebrews 4:15 wouldn´t be true.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

JESUS possessed body, soul, and spirit.

1. HE had a body.
John 1:14 And the Word was made 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.

Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Matthew 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

JESUS´ body was buried, Luke 23:52-56 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.


2. HE had a soul.
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

JESUS´ soul went to Paradise at death.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

3. HE had a spirit. It returned to the Father at HIS death.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

JESUS died.
The biological end of life is death. Man is born to die.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

JESUS had to keep this rule.
JESUS was in the prime of life at the time of the crucifixion.
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

The purpose of CHRIST coming to earth was to die. Death is proof of HIS humanity.
JESUS still possesses a body. Even after HIS resurrection.

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

Stephen saw JESUS standing at the right hand of GOD. JESUS was human and HE was like us in every way except for two very important points.

1. HE did not possess a sin nature or original sin.

2. HE was sinless because HE never committed not even one sin.

Let us praise our wonderful LORD and SAVIOUR for HIS love for us and for the sacrifice HE made so that we might have eternal life.