The lessons by Abe today were excellent and though-provoking. Who do we ‘see’ as Jesus? What is He to us? Do we all see Him from a painting done by someone many hundred of years AFTER Jesus was actually on this earth?
As we continue to work out the bugs in our new electronic recording equipment, we’ll try to provide the transcript or outlines of lessons as we have done below. Lesson 2 recorded, but lesson 1 was not. So enjoy the outline below and at the bottom of lesson 1 you will find a button to play the recording for lesson 2 followed by the outline for it.
Lesson 1
- We live in a very visual world.
- Pictures are used to represent just about everything.
- We love to show pictures of our families, etc.
- It makes it difficult sometimes when we visualize the God head or heavenly beings.
- We tend to think in terms of how men have portrayed them.
- Recently I was with a group watching a religious movie and noticed in the movie that they represented Jesus as an object rather than Who He is.
- It occurred to me how often people use things or pictures to represent Deity rather than let Deity represent themselves.
- We should limit ourselves to the word of God.
What is My Vision of Jesus?
Revelation 1:12-18 – “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
- Even though John had been with Christ on earth, it is clear in this vision, that John was not to think of Him like that anymore!!
- Clearly John is awed by Christ.
God Warned About Using “Things” to Worship
- Before the law of Moses – Exodus 32:1-8
- Nothing was to be made – Exodus 20:3-5
- It was an abomination – Deuteronomy 27:15
- It is foolishness – Isaiah 44:9-20
To Whom Would We Liken God?
- No form to emulate or represent – Deuteronomy 4:15-19
- Nothing in the Universe – Isaiah 40:18-26
- Nothing that can be shaped by art or man’s devising – Acts 17:24-29
How Should I Picture Him as a Human?
Very little revealed as a Baby or Child – Matthew 2:1, 9-11; Luke 2:6-20; 40-52
[ painting of baby Jesus in manger ] [ painting of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in manger ] [ painting of Mary and Jesus ]- Very little revealed as a Baby or Child – Matthew 2:1, 9-11; Luke 2:6-20; 40-52
- What did He look like? – Isaiah 53:2
- Very little revealed as a Baby or Child – Matthew 2:1, 9-11; Luke 2:6-20; 40-52
- What did He look like? – Isaiah 53:2
- His physical appearance would be marred – Isaiah 52:13-15
- Why do we have no paintings or drawings? – 2 Corinthians 5:14-16; 1 John 3:2
- His teaching was what was important – Matthew 7:29
What Are We Instructed to Use to Remember Him?
- He said unleavened bread & grape juice – Matthew 26:26-28
- Paul said he had received this from Christ Himself – 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
- Using something that represents a lifeless body and blood
- Something that perishes
- Something that is not carried around, but eaten as a memorial
- A reminder of Who it took to take away our sins!
- We can see how man has always worshipped objects.
- Even Hitler tried to collect “religious” artifacts and objects.
- God has instructed us not to use those things, but worship Him only.
- We show our love for Him through our obedience.
End Lesson 1
Lesson 2
What is My Vision of Jesus – Martin, part 2
- We discussed in the 1st lesson man’s desire to have objects to worship.
- We can clearly see that God is not pleased with that.
- We are going to continue to talk about that subject in this lesson.
What is My Vision of Jesus?
Revelation 1:12-18 – “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
What Is Not To Be Used?
Nothing that can be shaped by art or man’s devising – Acts 17:24-29; Deuteronomy 4:15-19
- How about a man’s painting?
What Is Not To Be Used?
Nothing that can be shaped by art or man’s devising – Acts 17:24-29; Deuteronomy 4:15-19
- How about a man’s painting?
- Wouldn’t that help? – Acts 17:29
- How about a lamb?
- He is compared to a sheep or lamb – Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29, 36; 1 Peter 1:19
- But we should never use a picture, image or idol of a sheep to represent Him – Acts 17:29
- How about a baby?
- He was born into this world – Matthew 2:1; Hebrews 10:5
- [ insert painting of Mary and Jesus ]
- Nowhere in the bible does it tell us to celebrate His birth
- Instead we are to remember His death together on the 1st day of the week
- How about a crown of thorns?
- They put it on His head – Matthew 27:29-30
- Because that would be our own devising – Acts 17:29
- How about a cross?
- [ 3 photo of a cross on a hill at sunset ]
- He died on the cross – Matthew 27:35, 50; Galatians 6:14
- We are not told to use a cross, but instead preach the word – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Colossians 1:28
What Do We Use?
- The Bible (Word of God) – John 5:37-39; Romans 10:17
- Our faith (in Him) – Hebrews 12:1-3; John 8:24
- Ourselves (bought) – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 8:10
- He is to be in us – 2 Corinthians 13:5
- A mental picture that is Awesome of Him – Revelation 19:11-15
- He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Revelation 19:16
- He is the First and the Last – Revelation 1:11
- He is God – John 1:1, 14; John 20:28
- Why do we need anything made to represent Him since He created all of it? – Colossians 1:12-20
- His attributes are clearly seen in creation – Romans 1:20
- Someone might say; you sure are picky.
- Actually, I am not.
- I am afraid.
- I fear God.
- Why would I violate His word to somehow satisfy my own desires?
- He has given explicit instructions on how He is to be remembered.
- Why would I think I know a better way?
- Remember Him today by obeying His word!