Knowing Jesus #2 - Jesus is Creator

For the second week in a row, I joined WFC's Online Campus to hear Pastor Dan talk about Knowing Jesus.  I had actually planned to venture out to the Speedway Campus to attend worship in person.  It's a blessing to be able to attend church regardless of what roadblocks detour my path. 

JESUS IS CREATOR
Knowing Jesus - 2

January 15, 2011
Dan Southerland, Lead Teaching Pastor

We are studying through the book of John, asking:

•    who is Jesus?
•    what does Jesus say?
•    what does Jesus do?

Big idea for this series:  Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -- Hebrews 13:8

As we see who Jesus is and what He says and does in the Bible we know who Jesus is what He says and does today.

1.  Jesus is Creator.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. --John 1:1,3

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:26-27

But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.  Revelation 4:11

Creation was a team effort.  The God who exists in community also created in community and then placed us in community.

Summary statement: God screams community. 

2.  Jesus is Re-Creator.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;  behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJ)

In Greek grammar, the present imperative is a verb tense/form that means do this and keep on doing it.

We don’t have that in English.  So sometimes what is said in the Gospel doesn’t come through with quite the mood it ought to.  Example:  Ask and you shall receive is really:  Ask (and keep on asking) and you will receive (and keep on receiving).  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (and stays in Christ), he is (and will continue to be) a new creation; old things have passed (and will continue to pass) away; all things have become (and will continue to become) new. (emphasis added by Pastor Dan).

As I keep following Jesus, He keeps on making me new.    

Jesus wants to keep on re-creating me as I stay in Him. 

Two pieces of great news:
•    God is not finished with me yet.
•    What I am today is not the final version of me.

More on the Creator, creation, re-creation: John 17:24, Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:10

If not a member, Pastor Dan asks you to step up.

If you are already a member, Pastor Dan asks that you join a group. 

Next week:  John 1:4 … The Light of the World.