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Finish this sentence..."Jesus is _______________."


In many ways, the answer to that question will define who you are and how you will live you life...and how you will spend eternity.  

Where does your answer come from?  Something you read online?  A conversation you had?  Something you overheard?  Something your parents taught you?  What is your source?  Are you confident that it is accurate and reliable?

In the Bible, in chapters 15-17 of Matthew's account of the life of Jesus, the identity of Jesus is revealed in a variety of ways.  The misconceptions and misunderstandings of the people around Him, both friend and foe, are also revealed.  

Sometimes in my conversations with people, the name of another local Pastor will come up.  I'll nod my head and affirm, "Yes, I know him."  What I mean by that is that I know who he is and I am familiar with his church.  But then sometimes they follow up with, "Oh good.  Next time I see him I will tell him that you said hello."  In those moments I am compelled to acknowledge that I don't actually know the Pastor personally, and that he doesn't really know me either.  

Is that the kind of relationship you have with Jesus? 

You may know of Him, you know some facts about His life...but when pressed, would you have to acknowledge that you don't really know Him and you aren't too sure that He would claim to know you?

At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares a very sobering truth:

Knowing Jesus and being known by Him is of supreme value.

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Do you know Him? Would He say that He knows you?

"Jesus Is" also serves as a declaration.  Jesus was, and Jesus will be...but JESUS IS alive and at work this very moment.  He is available to be known and He wants to know you.  He wants to have a relationship with you.  He is the Creator of the Universe, the Son of God, the Name above all names...and yet He wants to know you as a friend.  This is one of the most amazing and hope inspiring truths that the Bible shares with us.

Join us for a series of sermons where we will explore the identity of Jesus as it is revealed in Matthew 15-17.  You can join us every Sunday morning as we walk through the series or you can follow along online through the audio or video recordings of each sermon in the series.  You can access them here after they are preached.

If you would like to know more about Jesus, I'd love to talk with you.  Send me an email at ezra@riversideconnect.com

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Jesus is Life

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