Who Is This Jesus?

Acts 9: 1-9

I. The concerns of Saul were much like the concerns of people today.

A. Who is this Jesus?

B. What does he want from me?

C. What right does he have to be meddling in my affairs?

D. What has he done for me lately?

E. We will answer each of these questions in turn.

II. Who is this Jesus?

A. Saul asked that question motivated by a show of a tiny fraction of Jesus' power.

B. Today we enjoy the luxury of asking that question in the peace and

safety of America.

C. Who is Jesus?

1. John 1: 1-18. The creator of all things. He was one of the

Godhead, the Eloihim of Genesis 1: 1.

2. Isaiah 53: 1-12. He was the sacrificial lamb of God that was

prophesied of old.

3. He is the only son of God. He came to seek and to save the lost. Matthew 11: 25-30.

4. Why is that so hard to see? Mark 11: 27-33. He's the boss.

He will be the boss! Philippians 2: 5-11.

5. He's someone who wants to help you win a victory--a victory

over Satan. Revelation 1: 5-7. Don't snatch defeat out of the

hands of victory.

III. What does Jesus want from me?

A. He wants to be your friend. Not necessarily a friend on equal

terms, but a friend nevertheless. Just in the befriending process,

we gain a host of spiritual blessings.

1. Peace 4. Freedom from Hell

2. Joy 5. Life's greatest joys

3. Freedom from sin 6. A simpler, less complicated life

Revelation 3: 30--"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

B. He has some rather minimal conditions for friendship--just like

anyone else expects a few things from a friend.

1. Put Jesus. first. "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his

righteousness, and all these other things will be yours as well."-- Matt. 6: 33

2. Show some interest. How did the first Christians show some

interest in Jesus? Acts 2: 32-47.

a. Interest in Jesus, the person c. Interest in others

b. Interest in things holy d. Interest in church

C. Jesus wants me to love my neighbor. I John 4: 20-21.

D. Jesus wants us to love the church as he loves the church.

Ephesians 5: 21-33.

E. Jesus wants your life. All your energy, your priorities, your love.

He will give you everything you need in exchange for it.

IV. What right does Jesus have to be meddling in my affairs?

A. Investment. Jesus invested his life for you. Just because you

weren't standing there at the moment he died doesn't make you any

less a recipient of his grace or a debtor of his blood.

B. Kinship. You are made after the likeness of God. Jesus has a right

to claim the soul that resides in your body. Ephesians 4: 30--

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were

sealed for the day of redemption."

C. Love. Jesus loves you and wants the best for you. If you defeat

Him in his plan to save you, it's YOU that loses. Why do some

many insist on giving themselves a dose of defeat? He is trying to

protect you from yourself.

V. What has Jesus done for me lately?

A. He paid the price for your salvation. You don't have to die a

horrible eternal death for the first sin you committed, or the last.

B. He intercedes for us as a High Priest. Hebrews 9: 24-28;

Hebrews 4: 14-16.

C. It is through his name, and his name only, that God will answer

prayer.

D. Jesus has left a host of teachings that will help us in this life and

the one to come.

E. Jesus stands ready to acknowledge us as his friends before the

Heavenly Father at the judgment. Matthew 10: 32-33.

F. Jesus has conquered the author of all darkness and hopelessness for our sakes. You plus God equal a majority.

G. Jesus stands as our doorway to God. John 14: 1-10.