Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was sent by God as the promised Messiah to redeem fallen people back to Himself and to establish His reign as the rightful king of creation. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross as our substitute for sin, and was raised with all power over sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will return as judge. He offers forgiveness of sin and a new life of discipleship by grace through faith in Him.

Read John 1:1 & 14. 

Discuss: How is Jesus described?

The person of Jesus

Jesus Christ is the incarnate Son of God in human flesh. He is fully God and fully man, in one person.

Fully man

Virgin birth - Jesus was conceived in the womb of His mother, Mary, by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and without a human father. (Matt. 1:18-20)
Human weaknesses - Jesus grew in _______________ (Luke 2:40,52); became physically ______________________ (Mark 4:38); was ______________________ by Satan (Luke 4:2); cried (John 11:35); had _____________________________ and bones (Luke 24:39).

Read Philippians 2:6-7. 

Discuss: In what form did Jesus exist before He was man? What did He then do?

The humanity of Jesus is important because He represented man in life and death. Man broke God's law so a man had to atone for sin.

Fully God

Attributes - Sovereign (Matthew 28:18) _____________ (1 John 1:1-2), _____________ (Hebrews 13:8) omniscient (Colossians 2:2-3), omnipotent (Matthew 8:23-27), _____________ (Acts 3:14-15)

Titles - Immanuel (Matthew 1:23), Lord (Philippians 2:10-11), I Am (John 8:58)

Claims - Fullness of the godhead (Colossians 2:9), exact representation of His nature (Hebrews 1:1-3), the word (John 1:1), Son of God (John 10:36)

Read Mark 2:5-11 

Discuss: How does Jesus prove He is God?

The deity of Jesus is important because only God can die and resurrect Himself to live forever as king.

The Work of Jesus

Jesus Christ died on a cross to atone for our sins. The atonement is the work Christ did in His life and death to earn our salvation. Atonement means that God’s wrath has been satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus. (Rom. 3:25-26, Heb. 2:17, 1 John 4:10)

Jesus Christ died on the cross to reconcile us to God. Reconciliation means that our once broken relationship to God because of sin has now been restored through the work of Jesus. We can now know Him as Father. (2 Cor. 5:18, Rom. 5:10, Col. 1:20)

Need for the Work of Jesus

All humans are dead in sin and guilty of transgression against God. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

Man is faced with: sin (Romans 3:23), having God as an enemy (James 4:4), subjection to the power of Satan (1 John 5:19), being helpless to save themselves and deserving (Romans 5:6) death (Romans 6:23), condemnation and eternal separation from God. (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

Since God must be just to punish sin and desires to be merciful to forgive us, there is no other way to provide salvation than through the death of His Son. (Romans 3:26) (Hebrews 9:25-26)

Discuss: Why is the atonement necessary to God's attributes?

The atonement includes Jesus's (life) perfect obedience of God's law for us. (Romans 5:19) It also includes His (death) penal substitution to pay the penalty of sin. (Hebrews 9:26)

Motive for the Work of Jesus 

God chose to save sinners because of His, love (John 3:16), mercy (1 Peter 1:3), and grace (Ephesians 2:9).

Discuss: How does God's motivation for the atonement give hope and assurance to the believer in Jesus?

Triumph and Continuation of the Work of Jesus

Jesus' death was not the end of the story. He arose from the grave and ascended back to heaven. Jesus lives today and actively intercedes for believers. (Romans 8:34)

The resurrection of Jesus declared Him to be the Son of God (Romans 1:4).

Exalted Him to the Father's ____________ (Hebrews 1:3), giving the believer _____________ life (1 Corinthians 15:21-22) allowing Jesus to intercede on behalf of believers (Hebrews 7:25)

Personal Application

Consider how the person and work of Jesus Christ gives you greater assurance of your standing before God.