First Impressions
Gtcotr/ss010503
Turn to The Gospel of John, Chapter One
Introduction:
* 4 Men Were Given The Privilege of Introducing Jesus
> Matthew
A Jew who previously worked for the Romans as a collector of Jewish taxes. Jesus called him to become a disciple.
He begins his introduction with Abraham
> Mark
The nephew of Barnabas, once rejected by Paul, companion and interpreter to Peter who grew up in Jerusalem with the church leaders meeting in his mother’s house.
He begins with the Baptism in the Jordan and Jesus’ public ministry
> Luke
A Gentile physician and studious researcher of the Gospel accounts. Luke traveled with the Apostle Paul and later wrote the book of Acts.
He begins with the conception of John the Baptist and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
> John
A former fisherman and the closest of all disciples to Jesus. He outlives all the other disciples and pens the account of the Revelation just before the end of the first century. John does not begin with Abraham, Bethlehem nor the public ministry of Jesus.
To introduce Jesus and create a first impression -
He goes to the very beginning --- before time was
Some interesting things about first impressions:
* First impressions are usually lasting ones
* We only get one chance to make a first impression -- after that, it’s an uphill battle to make a change.
Somewhere, somehow, you found out about Jesus, what was your first impression of Him?
Was it like:
* The woman with the issue of blood.
> Mark 5:25-34 When she heard of Jesus she wanted to touch Him
* The leper near Capernaum
> Matthew 8:1 When he heard of Jesus, he wanted Jesus to touch him
* The Young Rich Ruler
> Mark 10:22 He went away sad …
* The Roman Centurion with a sick servant and great faith
> Matthew 8:8 Speak the word only …
* The man who was afraid and hid his Master’s gift
> Matthew 25:24 I knew you were a hard man …
Can I attempt to make an impression on you this morning?
If your first impression about Jesus was a good one … great!
But so many people have been hurt, preached at, bullied from the pulpit, condemned by bible thumping Christians and disappointed by hypocritical saints.
What we believe greatly affects how we act and react in life.
What some need is a clear, accurate picture of Jesus
Who He is
What He wants
Why He came
To Answer These Three Questions
I. Question #1: Who Is Jesus
John 1
A. In the beginning was the Word …
1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
B. The Word took upon flesh …
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
C. The Word revealed God …
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Answer: Jesus Is The Revelation, Declaration & Manifestation of God
He Is
The Son of & The Expression of God
Note: It is Jesus who gives mankind the true impression of God
II. Question #2: What Does Jesus Want
A. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
B. John 3:17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
C. 2 Peter 3:9 Jesus is unwilling for any person to perish
Answer: An Eternal Relationship With You
III. Question #3: Why Did Jesus Come
A. 1 John 3:8 For this purpose was the Son of God manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
B. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, worthy of all acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Answer: To Destroy Sin and Sin’s Effect
IV. What Do You Believe About Jesus?
What is your impression of Him?
A. Is He The Son, The Manifestation of Almighty God?
B. Does He Want An Eternal Relationship With You?
C. Can He Destroy Sin and It’s Effect On You?
V. Invitation -- Give Him Your Life Today
A. Commit or Re-commit to an eternal relationship
B. Let Jesus take your sin and it’s effect on you
* This is the place
* This is the day
* This is the moment you have been waiting and hoping and praying for …
* Can your Jesus do it?
* Is your Jesus big enough?
* The woman with the issue of blood
* The Roman Centurion with great faith
* The leper near Capernaum
> Jesus said -- I Will, Be Thou Clean
Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth His hand and touched him saying, be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
* Immediately - Jesus will touch you and - Immediately!
* Trust Him
