Scripture Reading: John 14:19-24
Your Relationship with Jesus
Intro.
1. Faith is personal (it involves you personally). And, it involves Jesus personally, Gal. 2:20.
2. While relationships with Christ are taught and explained in the Scriptures, the expression “personal relationship” is not in the NT.
3. Yet … A “personal relationship” with Jesus is often used to evangelize and solidify believers in false doctrines about salvation, the church, worship, living as a Christian and more.
a. The “personal relationship” of which evangelicals speak is anchored in the false doctrines of faith only, personal indwelling of the Spirit of God, and other elements of Calvinism. (James A. Fowler, “A Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ,” Christ in You Ministries)
b. They mean: A dynamic, interactive, interpersonal relationship with Jesus Christ. (Ibid)
c. So, NT Christians are listening to false teachers to assure their relationship with Jesus, and adopting their language.
d. Yet, we allow their authors and influence shape our thinking and expectations about Jesus in our lives.
4. We must speak as the oracles of God about the relationship(s) Christians have with Jesus, not like the fallen religious world does (1 Pet. 4:11).
I. THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS, 1 Jno. 1:1-4.
-Participation with God due to commonality in Christ.
A. By Walking in the Light (Practicing Truth), 1 Jno. 1:5-7.
B. By Having and Keeping His Commandments.
1. How we “know that we know Him,” (perceive, understand), 1 Jno. 2:3-6.
2. Love Jesus: Have His commands and obey them, Jno. 14:21-24.
-Home (monē): “a staying, residence, abode” (from menō, be present)
II. SOME OF THE RELATIONSHIPS CHRISTIANS HAVE WITH JESUS.
A. Jesus is Our Teacher, Lk. 6:40; Jno. 13:13-17.
-He trains us, instructs us, reproves us, cf. Matt. 28:19-20.
-Does this by His commands that we have (Jno. 14:21).
B. Jesus is Our Lord (Master, Ruler), Jno. 20:28 (Acts 2:34).
1. Authority to command and demand obedience, Lk. 6:46.
2. He has authority over us all, Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17.
C. Jesus is Our High Priest, Heb. 4:14.
1. Makes propitiation, Heb. 2:17.
a. By His blood, Heb. 10:19-21.
b. Access to throne of God (blessings), Heb. 8:1; 4:14-16.
2. Over God’s house, so we can draw near to God, Heb. 10:21-22.
3. Makes intercession, Heb. 7:24-25; Rom. 8:33-34.
a. Entreats before God’s throne on our behalf.
b. Merciful, faithful, and sympathetic, Heb. 2:17.
D. Jesus is Our Brother, Heb. 2:12, 17.
1. Brothers in the flesh (human), Heb. 2:14, 17.
2. Brothers in the spirit (faith) – Kinsmen in God’s family, Heb. 2:11-13; 3:4-6.
a. We are adopted into God’s family, Gal. 4:4-7.
b. Christians have a familial relationship with Christ by doing the Father’s will, Matt. 12:49-50.
E. Jesus is Our Friend (philos, associate, neighbor).
1. If we do whatever He commands us, Jno. 15:14.
2. cf. Abraham: Faith that obeys Jesus, Jas. 2:21-23 (Heb. 5:8-9).
F. Jesus is Our Shepherd, Jno. 10:11, 14, 27-29.
1. He laid down His life for us (sheep) and the whole world (11).
2. He knows His sheep and they know Him (14).
3. His sheep hear His voice (word, sayings) and follow Him, and are given eternal life and security in the Father’s hand (27-29).
Conclusion
1. Every description of the Christian’s relationship with Jesus is conditioned on our obedient faith, not on experiencing the so-called “indwelling presence of the Spirit of Christ within the spirit of the Christian” (Ibid).
2. Through His gospel, as we live by faith, obeying His will, we have fellowship with Jesus (He lives is our hearts through faith), Eph. 3:17.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: October 10, 2018