The identity of Jesus is the most important issue for Christians.
Everyone agrees Jesus was a real historical person. What they do not agree on
is whether or not He was the divine son of God, the promised Messiah. Many
people who think they are Christians, have not had this Epiphany moment - and
have not discovered their spiritual identity.
1. Isaiah 62.1-11 is a prophecy of Israel’s
restoration
This is about national identity. They have been punished for their
rebellion against God. They have been conquered, taken to captivity in Babylon
and their land and nation destroyed.
● People’s name change
from Deserted to My Delight
● Land’s name changed from
Desolate to Married
2. Jesus
revealed His identity at Cana
There is an embarrassing situation. The wine has run out. The new
couple would be humiliated if everyone in the community found out about this.
It would not be a good way to start a marriage. Mary comes to Jesus and asks
Him to do something.
● Tells us Mary knows
something secret about Jesus
● Jesus is reluctant to
reveal His identity publicly
● He is trying to build a
team without revealing His identity
● He does not want crowds
of people.
● He does not want
attention from the religious authorities.
● He sacrifices His
personal peace and takes a risk.
● This is a sign of His
sacrificial love for us.
● Jesus solves the problem
without any public sign
● Only we and the servants
discover His identity
● Sadly most people in our
self-centred culture have been told the story is mythical by teachers who do
not really believe in the Jesus of the Bible
● People assume (wrongly)
that if they have not seen miracles Jesus could not have done miracles
● We all need an Epiphany
moment - an experience the supernatural ourselves before we can believe in
miracles
3. Our
epiphany moment comes when we discover Jesus identity as divine Saviour
This is the point where we change from believing in the
philosophy of Jesus; to putting our faith in the person of
Jesus as God with us.
● This is when we really
accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour - as opposed to moral teacher
● If we can believe in the
divinity of Jesus then we can believe He could pay for the sins of the whole
world
● Belief in the divinity
of Jesus is essential to belief in the forgiveness of sins - and being a
Christian
4. Gifts of
the Spirit help us believe in Jesus divinity
The Good News is believers receive spiritual gifts that help them grow
in their faith in Jesus as divine Saviour. These gifts give us personal
experiences of the supernatural that open our spiritual eyes so we can
understand the Bible and really believe in what it says about Jesus.
● Faith is the first
spiritual gift
● Wisdom and knowledge
help us understand and grow
● Healing and miracles
confirm the truth of the Bible
● Prophecy and guides us
in our spiritual life
● Distinguishing between
spirits protects us from deceiving spirits
● Tongues and
interpretation of tongues enriches our prayer life and personal relationship
with Jesus
● Gifts are not given as a
reward or to separate / divide us
● Different gifts are
given to make us dependent on each other in a community of believers
Spiritual
gifts are given to help us discover Jesus and our own spiritual identity - as
brothers and sisters in Christ!
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