Chapter – 22 ‘Yosef leads the Youth Rally’
In Uniontown the revival would be going into the second evening sessions; starting in just three hours. Valentine had quit working earlier than normal; he had showered and would be joining Rebekah and Yosef for their evening meal in just a few moments.
As the three of them were eating Valentine asked, “Do you plan to add anything about the ‘Deity of Christ’ this evening?” Yosef told him that is where he would start and would use a few OT passages and sum them up with the fulfilment taking place, “Just a few references, not nearly all that a prophesy teacher would use for a two hour message.”
It was time for the evening session to start and the music director started the evening with three songs that the majority of the people were familiar with. Next was a prayer by Valentines dad and then the evening was turned over to Yosef. He did a short overview of the previous evening just in case there were a few new people in the crowd; then it was time to teach the truths of scripture to the audience.
Yosef walked to his right, three paces and then he stood still. He spoke, “I want to talk a few minutes this evening on the Deity of Christ. God is the supreme being of the universe. Jesus is God and therefore the supreme being of the universe. Colossians 1:13-20 pretty much nails down who Jesus is.” Yosef read it, then paused and commented. “Write that scripture on your bulletin and review it often.” He told them that the Gospel of John, chapter 1, had a few things to add to what Colossians just read. Yosef paraphrased the meaning of the chapter. “The Word became Jesus [in the flesh] and dwelt on earth as God.”
“How many of you know who the Suffering Servant represents in the book of Isaiah.” He told them that the verses describe a person suffering for others. Isaiah 52-53.
Yosef walked back toward the podium and stopped. “Another word to describe the Lord is ‘Wisdom’. In the book of Proverbs, verse 8:22-36 is a great description. Let me read it.” He read it then he told them that Jesus was also the ‘good shepherd’, John 10:14-18. He read the verses and asked, “Do you know that it takes FAITH to believe what scripture tells us? Each of us are on a journey here as we live our lives. The road to heaven goes through a narrow gate Matthew 7:14, but the other road is wide and many will take it.” He paused a moment and then asked, “Where does that road end?” He pointed downward; and said, “The hot-fiery gate.”
He told them that scripture tells us that each person has to make the choice; it means to trust or reject Christ as their savior, that only the blood shed by ‘God the Son’ was payment enough for our atonement. “Several months ago I told another group of people, some soldiers, who were going into battle that God does not force anyone to choose heaven but He has an open invitation for all. So my question to you is this. Will you, with your own voice, Matthew 10:32-33, ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior?” He told them it is a requirement if you want to reserve that dwelling place in heaven. “Write that verse on your bulletin”; he repeated it.
The next moment Valentines dad stepped to the mic and told the audience that anyone who would like to make preparations for that dwelling place, in heaven, could walk out on the gridiron and find out how to do it. Several consolers walked to the football field, including Valentine and Rebekah.
As a duet started to softly sing, several but not nearly all of the teenagers walked from the stadium stands to the field. Right behind the teenagers was an older man and woman. A few minutes passed; then Yosef commented from the platform, “You who have come forward to get council are doing as scripture requires; with your own voice putting trust in Christ Jesus. How about some more of you?”
If you are teaching a group Bible Study..
Ask for 5 volunteers to read the following scripture and discuss.
- Colossians 1:13-20, … The Incomparable Christ..
- John 1:1-5 then verses 14-18, ..The Word became flesh; the Deity of Christ
- Isaiah 53:1-12, The Suffering Servant.. Foretold; what Jesus suffered for our atonement.
- Proverbs 8:22-36, ..Wisdom was established in the beginning..
- John 10:14-18, ..I am the Good Shepherd parable..
DG
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Matthew 7:13-14-, How many find the road through the narrow gate? Ans – FEW enter the pearly gate.
Where does the wide road lead? __ Ans – Eternal suffering in the lake of fire; MANY go.
Matthew 10:32-33, Whoever confesses Jesus before men, He [Jesus] will confess him before the Father, BUT whoever denies Jesus before men, Jesus will deny before the Father. [Sobering thought; have you confessed HIM]
***
Attached below are several references. [For a 2 Hr. Bible Study]
Not for todays study but future reference
CHECK IT OUT.
Deity of Christ Jesus.
[He is the 2nd person named as part of the triune God] Father – Son – Holy Spirit.
John 1:1-5 – The Deity of Jesus the Christ… 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:14-18 – 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. [God the Son had an earthly birth; so he could be tempted as man but live without sin; HE is fully GOD & fully man.]
John 1:29-34 – 29 The next day he [John-the-Baptist] saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 3:5-8 – 5 Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” [Born twice or you die twice]
John 6:37-40, 44 – 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. [Does Father God make some choices?]
John 6:46 – 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.
John 12:27-30 – 27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify YOUR name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes. [Only the blood of God can cleanse sin. It was Jesus purpose. IF God spoke verbally to you; how would you react?]
John 14:15-17 – 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper [God, the Holy Spirit], that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the [secular] world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. [Only the SAVED or BORN AGAIN receive the Holy Spirit; it is a GIFT.]
John 15:26 – 26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning. [The SPIRIT came on the Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4.]
John 20:21-22 – So Jesus said to them [Disciples] again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [Are we sent-ones, so-to-speak? Do we ever acknowledge Christ publicly?]
Hebrews 1:1-14 – 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His [God, the Father] glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He [Jesus] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. 5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again, “I will be a Father to Him And He shall be a Son to Me”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “And let all the angels of God worship Him.” 7 And of the angels He says, “Who makes His angels winds, And His ministers a flame of fire.” 8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness above Your companions.” 10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, 12 And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” 13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet”?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Matthew 28:18-19 – 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [People, go locally to those near you and me.]
Colossians 1:13-20 – 13 For He [God, the Father] rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Crucial Concepts for Christ BELIEVERS
Justification – Romans 4:25, 5:18 – 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. [Just as never having sinned]
Propitiation – Romans 3:23-25 – 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
Redemption – Romans 8:23 – 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Grace – Ephesians 2:8-9 – 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Election – Romans 9:10-13 – 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [A question – What is the Greek word meaning?]
Sanctification – Romans 5:2, 15:15-16 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Glorification – Romans 8:29-30 – 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Confession – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32 – But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whomever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
Predestination
Romans 8:29-30 – 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren
1 Cor. 2:7 – 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory
Ephesians 1:3-13 – 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Acts 13:48 – 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Colossians 3:12 – 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
BELIEF Includes the words = Faith, Trust, Confession, Repentance, Acceptance.
- These lead to Salvation or becoming Born Again [Spiritually]
Christian = A person who becomes set apart for the service of the Lord.
- A forgiven sinner; still a mortal with an ‘old nature’ from within [not perfect]