Just Jesus

“Just Jesus”LIFEgroups at OBC

By Rev. Martyn Travers

Sept – Dec 2016

Contents

Introduction

Just Jesus

1. Suffering servant – Isaiah 53: 12 (11 Sept)2. Saviour of All – Luke 4: 14 – 30 (18 Sept)3. Word made flesh - John 1: 1-14 (16 Oct)4. Risen Lord – Acts 2: 22 – 36 (30 Oct)5. Superstar – Colossians 1: 15 – 23 (6 Nov)6. Humble Servant – Philippians 2: 1 -11 (20 Nov)7. High Priest – Hebrews 4: 14 – 16, 5: 1- 10 (27 Nov)8. Glorious Lord – Revelation 1: 12 – 20 (4 Dec)

Introduction

Leading up to Christmas I want us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The Early Church had to talk long and hard to be clear about the truth of what we believe about the Lord Jesus Christ. In the early Athanasian Creed they declared “that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of his mother, born in the world. Perfect God and perfect man”. So much false teaching, both then and now, stems from misunderstanding the nature or the work of Christ.

Jesus is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12: 1). It is vital for our faith and for our service that we give him his central place. “Just Jesus” takes eight significant passages from the Bible to focus our faith on Him.

Our Sunday morning teaching series follows this same schedule, with the dates in brackets on the contents when I hope to be preaching on it. The notes that I’ve put together are offered as a tool, but not a master; you may well have better questions or a different take on the particular passage before us. Let’s remember that our LIFEgroups are intended as Cells of the larger Church. They work best when our discussion based Bible study is only one part of our LIFEgroup. Prayer and worship, support for one another and enjoying fellowship together are also really relevant. Sometimes you hear people talking about “God” in religious terms. It’s always noticeable when language changes to reflect personal faith in Jesus. The aim of this series is for us to get to know Him more.

Just Jesus

Enjoy!

Dates to note: - LIFEgroup leaders launching new series 5 September - 7.30pmSharing our Faith 6.30pm Sunday 11 September with Sarah Bottomley Church Family Meeting – 14 SeptemberParenting Teenagers 6.00pm – Sunday 18 SeptemberHarvest Thanksgiving & lunch – Sunday 25 SeptemberSharing your Faith – Wednesday 5 October @ Green St Green Baptist with J.JohnUnited Churches Together Dedication of Street Pastors 6.30pm Sun 23 OctChildren’s Holiday Bible Club – week beginning 24 OctGolden Service 5.30pm – Sunday 30 OctoberDigging Deeper with Rev J Colwill – “God of ‘genocide’” in the Old Testament – Sunday 13 Nov @ 6.30pmChurch Family meeting – Soup Lunch – Sunday 20 November“Hush” Reflective Advent service – 6.30pm – Sunday 27 NovemberCarol Service with Canon J.John – Thursday 1 Dec – St Mary’s BromleyAlternative Carol Service – 6.30pm - Sunday 11 DecemberCandlelit Carol Service – 6.30pm – Sunday 18 DecemberChristmas Day Worship – 10amList of LIFE groups at OBC Telephone

Remi Adesina (Tuesdays) 07903 304365Melanie & Keith Warren (Thursdays 871420Paul & Sonia Mulley (Wednesdays) 858215Ivor Reveley (Wednesdays) 815344Sue Cooke (Tuesdays Ladies’ Daytime) 858853 Colin Salzer (Wednesdays) 850258Cooperative Group (Wednesdays) 839815Dulcie Marjoram (Thursdays Daytime) 602028Helen Pourak (Wednesdays) 839533Sue Brown & Soo Chu Clift (Thursday Daytime – Morning) 637396/818646Danny Brown (Young Adults – LIFEgroup) 07888 399714

1) Suffering Servant

Just Jesus

Reading: Isaiah 53: 1 - 12

Connect

Connect with what this famous part of God’s word is saying about the promised servant of the Lord. This is the fourth and best known of what are called the servant’s songs of this part of Isaiah’s prophecy. From a picture of joyful return from exile in the previous chapter, the focus shifts to a suffering servant that brings redemption. So different from people’s expectation of the future king here there is suffering and rejection. The New Testament echoes Isaiah, seeing Jesus as Messiah the ultimate fulfilment of these words (1 Peter 2: 21 – 25).

Jesus is the man of sorrows who takes upon himself our sin. The punishment that brings us peace was laid on him. Led like a lamb to the slaughter, he did not protest. Yet it was God’s will that he suffered for us. By his wounds we are healed.

Often with prophecies like this there are different levels of fulfilment. Isaiah may have initially wanted to see Israel as the Servant or perhaps a particular leader of the Nation. Looking through New Testament eyes there can be no doubt that Jesus fulfils this prophecy completely. The Cross of Christ makes complete sense in the light of this word.

Just Jesus

Question

Why did Jesus have to suffer and die for our salvation? Isaiah emphasises that it was God’s will that He should suffer. What do you make of that?

How do you apply to yourself what Isaiah says here e.g. “He carried our sorrows”, “By his wounds we are healed”, “He was pierced for our transgressions”? What speaks most to you?

In the light of this teaching how would you explain to someone, who is thinking about being a Christian, the meaning of Christ’s Cross. What would you emphasise? Can you illustrate it?

When we take Communion we remember the suffering servant. What do you find most helpful to think about during Communion? Could Isaiah 53 help you in future?

60 SecondsTake just a minute to summarise what God is saying to you through what we have shared today. Out loud or quietly, written down or spoken briefly what is this teaching you or reminding you most about?

Pray Together

2) Saviour of All

Reading: Luke 4: 14 – 30

Just Jesus

Connect

Luke’s Gospel has the theme of Jesus being Saviour to all running through it. Here, Jesus returns to his home town of Nazareth and to the Synagogue where he was known from childhood. He reads the scroll of the prophet Isaiah 61: 1 – 2 and claims the fulfilment in his life and ministry. The year of the Lord’s favour refers to the Messianic age and alludes to the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25: 8 – 55) when once every 50 years slaves were set free. Jesus takes it as proclaiming liberation from sin and all its consequences. All spoke well of him up to this point in his speech, but when he goes on to remind them of the stories from Elijah (1 Kings: 17) and Elisha (2 Kings: 5), they are furious. The suggestion, that the Messiah came for all within or outside of Israel, made them want to kill him. The speech itself is often called the manifesto of the Kingdom which Jesus brings. The Spirit of God had anointed him to preach good news and to heal, to release the oppressed and to give sight to the blind.

Just Jesus

Question

Look at the manifesto that Jesus claims for his own ministry. What do you think he wanted to highlight? Can you see the different phrases fulfilled in him?

Think about the way in which they get angry at his suggestions of salvation for the Gentiles. Do you feel that there is any sense in which we might want to exclude certain people/groups today?

What does this mission statement for Jesus’s ministry have to say to the way that we do mission today? Locally – nationally – globally?

The anointing of the Spirit is clearly important to Jesus. What difference do you think it makes for Him? Do you think we can do God’s work today without that anointing and what difference does it make for us?

60 Seconds

Take just a minute to inwardly think or openly describe the way in which Jesus is your Saviour.

Pray Together3) Word made flesh

Reading: John 1: 1-14

Just Jesus

Connect

Connect with the teaching and meaning of this most famous reading about Jesus. Greeks used the term “Logos” (word) not only of what was spoken, but also of unspoken reason and logic. Jesus, on the other hand, used it as a way of referring to God. Skilfully John uses a term that was meaningful to both Greeks and Jews. From before the beginning of creation the word (Jesus) was with God and was divine in the fullest sense. The prologue begins and ends with this ringing affirmation of the deity of Christ. “Life” is also one of the great concepts of John’s Gospel which is introduced here. Through him all things were made, in Him is life and He is the light of the world which no darkness would ever overcome. John the Baptist is also introduced as a witness to the light that was coming into the world. To all who believe in Christ, He gives the right to become children of God.

Questions

Just Jesus

Look at the way in which Jesus is described as the “word made flesh”. What is this saying about Him? Do you think that the eternal being of Christ, the full deity of Jesus and the incarnation of God are doctrines that Christians generally understand?

Think about the way in which Jesus is described as both the “life” and the “light”. What does it say to you? How do you apply it to our experience of Faith?

John emphasises that when we believe in Christ He gives us the right to be part of God’s family. How would you put this to a person who was looking to become a Christian? What would you want them to understand?

This passage is particularly difficult for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons and many other sects. What would you like to say to them about what Christians believe of Jesus?

60 SecondsTake just a minute to reflect together about how we see Jesus ourselves? How do you describe him or feel about him personally?

Pray Together4) Risen Lord

Reading: Acts 2: 22 – 36

Connect

Just Jesus

On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit is poured out and the Church is born, it is Jesus that becomes the central message of the Apostles. Peter addresses the international crowd of pilgrims with the evidence that Jesus is the Messiah that they had long awaited. Their most famous King David was buried in Jerusalem, his tomb was there for them to see. God raised Jesus from the dead and now from Heaven he had sent the Holy Spirit. He sees all this as a fulfilment of Psalm 16: 8 – 11 and of Joel 2: 28. Many commentators point out that this was not just a one- off sermon, but the essential message of the Apostles in the earliest church. It is this truth that leads to thousands believing and being baptised.

Questions

Just Jesus

Why do you think that Peter chose the resurrection of Jesus to focus on? What makes the resurrection so important to the Christian faith?

In a number of the sessions in our LIFEgroups we have noticed how Jesus is seen as a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy. Why was this so significant for them? Do you think that we can also have a sense of Jesus being the fulfilment of hopes and dreams today?

There was a spirit-inspired revival as thousands were baptised. How can we encourage a greater spirit of responsiveness at OBC? Do you feel that there are things that hold people back?

60 SecondsTake just a minute to share a time when you responded, if you have done, to the message of the Risen Lord.

Pray Together

5) Superstar

Reading: Colossians 1: 15 - 23

Just Jesus

Connect

Colossae was a small town church in what is Turkey, near the more significant city of Ephesus. The young church here became the target of heretical attack, which led to Paul writing this Colossian letter. The nature of the heresy almost certainly involved a depreciation of the importance of Christ. Ceremonialism, human wisdom and tradition and even Angel worship took away from the centrality of Jesus. Paul challenges head-on by exalting Christ as the image of God, the Creator, the sustainer of all things, the head of the Church, the resurrected Lord and the one who reconciles all things to himself. He is the superstar of our Christian Faith and no one or nothing should take his place.

Questions

Just Jesus

Think about what this passage teaches us about the person and work of Christ. Can you put into your own words the central themes of what is being taught? What strikes you most?

All things were created by him and through him, all things can be reconciled. What do the “all things” include? What does it mean?

As it was for the Colossians do you think there might be a danger today of putting something or someone in the place of Christ? What might it be?

It says that in everything he might have the supremacy. Can you think of this in a personal way and name things together where Christ wants to be supreme?

60 SecondsTake just a minute to reflect on someone or something you want to pray for. That they or that situation might know the supremacy of Christ?

Pray Together

6) Humble Servant

Reading: Philippians 2: 1 -11

Just Jesus

Connect

Many view vs 6 – 11 as an early Christian hymn that sings of the humility of the Lord Jesus. Our attitudes to one another and even to ourselves should reflect the attitude of Christ. Though he was in very nature God, he humbled himself and made himself nothing, a servant that was obedient to death on a cross for us. In response, God exalted him as Lord to whom every knee should bow. It’s inspiring to see the way in which Paul uses the incarnation of Christ as a moral example to us. There was danger of division in the Church and the Apostle makes his emphasis that united in Christ will mean unity with one another. We are to imitate Christ’s humility and within the family of God reflect his supreme example.

Questions

Just Jesus

What does it mean for us at OBC to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus? Can you make a list of what it practically looks like?

Can you put into your own words what the passage is saying about Christ’s attitude? What strikes you most from vss 5 – 11?

What kind of culture and attitude would make being like this especially difficult? Do you think society encourages humility or arrogance?

Imagine that you are visiting a church or talking to some of its members that were seriously divided over something. Given what Paul does how would you want to encourage them? What would you say or do?

60 SecondsTake just a minute to name attitudes that you want OBC to reflect more and more. Then pray that God would help us all in it.

Pray Together

7) High Priest

Reading: Hebrews 4: 14 – 16 & 5: 1 – 10

Connect

Just Jesus

The anonymous author begins commentary on the superior priesthood of Christ. As the high priest, on the Day of Atonement, passed into the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16: 15, 17), so Jesus ascended through the heavens into the Heavenly sanctuary, his work of atonement complete. The original readers may well have been in danger of letting their faith slip and so they are encouraged to hold to it firmly. Because Christ our High priest has experienced human temptation, he is equipped to give us mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. He is able to sympathise with our weakness and we can come to him with confidence. His temptations never led to sin, but now as our High priest he stands ready to give us strength in our struggles and is seen as superior, in that way, a better illustration of Christ’s priesthood.

Questions

Just Jesus

Think about Jesus as our High priest who has both made a sacrifice, but of himself, and entered the holiest place of all. It was clearly important to Jewish readers, but what do we take from it? What does Jesus as our priest mean for us?

Look at the way in which the writer stresses the humanity of Jesus e.g. temptation e.g. temptation, cries and tears, suffering and obedience. Why is it so important to think of Jesus as fully man as well as fully God? How does it help us in our experience of life?

We’re told to come to the throne of grace with confidence to find help in times of need. What does that confidence mean and what would its opposite look like?

You may know someone who has or have even yourself felt like giving up and letting your faith slip. What would you say to that person about Jesus to encourage them to persevere?

60 SecondsTake a minute to reflect on the temptations and struggles you face. How does the humanity and the priestly role of Jesus help you?Pray Together

8) Glorious Lord

Reading: Revelation 1: 12 – 20

Connect

Just Jesus

The focus from the outset of “the revelation of Jesus Christ” is on Jesus. The vision of Jesus that introduces the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor is of the Son of Man. The radiant figure is the master of life and death. The language echoes the visions of Daniel 7 and 10. The apocalyptic pictures were never meant to be taken literally, but each aspect of this vision and the others that follow are full of meaning. Jesus is pictured wearing the robe of the High priest, his white hair suggests wisdom and dignity; his blazing sight pictures his penetrating vision. The sharp sword is his word which cuts to the heart (Hebrews 4: 16). His bronze-like feet are a symbol of strength. His voice like the sound of rushing waters and his face shining like the sun pictures his glory. It’s no wonder that having seen this John is terrified. Jesus assures him and announces his power over life and death and his purpose in addressing the churches. The seven lampstands where He walks represent the churches of Asia Minor and the seven stars he holds are said to be the Angels of those churches. Wow!

Questions

Think about the details of this vision of the glorious Lord. What do they say to you? What strikes you as most significant?

Just Jesus

Sometimes Jesus has been portrayed as “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild”. Do you think we need to re-capture something of his glorious power as well? How would you have felt if you had been John?

Jesus describes himself as the Alpha & Omega, the living one, alive forever, who holds the keys of death and Hell. Remembering that John was hearing this in the face of exile on Patmos by a hostile Roman Empire, what do you think it meant to him? What assurance and confidence does it offer to us?

Do you think that as Jesus is pictured as walking among the churches then, He walks among the churches today? What might He want to say to us?

Think

60 SecondsIn just a minute speak out what aspect of “Just Jesus” has blessed or challenged you.

Pray Together