God’s Identity as Jesus: Christ Centric or the Centrality of Jesus
Day #1: Jesus as Lord
· John 14:6-10 Consecration verses of our time
These verses are pretty direct about Jesus’ singular and supreme position in scripture and life.
What are the Greatest challenges of living in a way the reveals we believe this is what Jesus said to be true?
What are ways we must be careful not to undercut this message?
• Matthew 3:13-17 Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:13-17 At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descend upon him and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
• Matthew 17:1-13 Transfiguration of Jesus Matthew 17:1-13 “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love: with him I well pleased. Listen to him!”
1. What is the implication of being both of these verses saying the same thing?
2. Why did God the Father choose to speak out loud in only these two events?
3. Since the Lordship of Jesus is such a critical issue what does it mean in practical terms to have Jesus be your Lord?
4. How do we often get distracted from successful keeping Jesus in the Drivers seat of our Life?
Day #2 The I AM’s of Jesus
The I AM’S of Jesus allows us to understand who Jesus believed himself to be. We then can make a decision on how we will choose to see him and can respond accordingly.
1. And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).
In no other chapter of the Bible does Jesus make so many declarations about himself. Here he asserts his divine identity through a series of "I am" statements:
- "I am the light of the world" (8:12)
- "I am not alone" (8:16)
- "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me" (8:18)
- "I am from above" (8:23)
- "I am not of this world" (8:23)
- "I am He [the Christ]" (8:24, 28)
- "I AM" (8:58).
Life Application Bible Commentary - Life Application Bible Commentary – John.
2. “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
3. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
4. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).
5. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
6. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser” (John 15:1).
What does it mean to me?
Personalize the implications of each statement by inserting your name in place of “the” in each statement. Since Jesus is the great “I AM”, the bread of life, my sustainer (replace with each I AM), I will …? statement. For example, “I am Todd’s bread of life”, “I am Todd’s door”.
How do these statements impact your: A) Beliefs, B) Behavior?
What difference should each of these statements make in your personal/inner life?
Since Jesus is the great “I AM”, the bread of life, my sustainer (replace with each I AM), I will …
Day #3 Son – Centrality of Jesus (Grace and truth)
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Reading all Biblical Scripture through the lens of Jesus.
This reality of Jesus giving grace and giving plus revealing truth can means you will be left with not always having clear answers on minor behaviors and when to address sins you see in others. You will find yourself torn between compassion and truth-telling. Between your/my need to see people change/repent and their weakness at that moment being in the grips of sin and fear. We must remember we are not to take the Holy Spirit’s job of convicting people of sin yet we need to assist the Spirit. That may feel like double talk but here lies the tension. Two opposites can both can be true and that is very uncomfortable
Honesty without love is brutality. Brutality is not a Christ-like behavior.
Which was Jesus: Protector, Possum, Predator? - Dr Jim Wilder (Give examples from the Bible)
Josh McDowell ask: Was he a Liar, Lunatic or Lord
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
Day # 4 Supremacy of Jesus
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways,
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So, he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"?” Hebrews 1:1-5 (NIV)
What are the attitudes of Jesus mentioned in this passage?
In the Verse 11 are given three names together. What is revealed in these three names?
Jesus -
Christ -
Lord –
Verse 11 also reveals Jesus ultimate goal for each action. What does it mean to “bring glory to the Father”?
Rooted/Radical 
The Great challenge of Following Jesus is not to be rooted in Christ but instead to be rooted in this world. The results are dramatically different. Instead of “root for Christ”, you are “rooted in Christ”.
Day #5 Jesus as Anchor - Hebrews 6:16-20
Insights gained from Leonard Sweet
“Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Heb.6:16-20
The Anchor
During Storms of old, ships would be in harbor with no warning that a great storm was coming. So the image is of someone in a small boat taking the anchor and rowing out ahead of the ship and dropping the anchor so the ship could then pull itself away from shore and into the open water where it was made to float. Ships are made to float not to go ashore like the storm surge and wave would do to the ship. This is the image of Christ going before us into His Father's presence safely and securely pulling us into God's presence, into the future, into eternity, "as an anchor for the soul."
Jesus as our Hope, is critical. The Christian hope has certainty because the object of our hope is Jesus Christ himself. Through his life, death and resurrection he has proven beyond the shadow of doubt that whatever he promised will one day come to pass.
What has Jesus promised us in these verses and others?
How does Jesus anchor your life?
Extra Read: - Matthew 5-7 As Followers we must try to understand and attempt to live Matthews 5-7 “Sermon on the Mount”. This is a collection of core thought patterns, beliefs and behaviors that a Radical (to the root) Follower of Jesus want to understand, have and embody.
- Politics of Jesus - John Howard Yoder
- The Case for the Real Jesus - Lee Strobel
- The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel
- The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict -Josh McDowell
- The Divine Conspiracy: Dallas Willard