How Do You Say Who the Son of Man Is?

The Church of Ephesus

Rev.1-2:7

 

INTRODUCTION:

In your lifetime, what is something you received that you initially couldn’t believe was for you?

In the last 5 years, what is something you’ve worked tirelessly at, only to feel like you keep coming up short?

The most important question in all of Scripture - Matt. 16:13-15

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

~ A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy~

Who is He really? (Rev. 1:1a, 5-6, 8, 12-20)

The second most important question: “what are you going to do with Him once you know who He is?”

The Church of Ephesus response (Rev. 2:1-3; Acts 19:8-10)

Warning: Good is always the enemy of Best (v.4)

What’s going on, really? - God sees right through us (1 Cor. 13:1-3, James 1:22-25, 2:14-19)

You still haven’t answered my question (Mark 12:28-34, Eph. 2:8-10)

There is hope (vv.5-6)

Two tickets to paradise (v.7)

Habits that produce eternal results (1 Cor. 13:13, Heb. 11, 1 John 3:16-18)

One 4-letter word to remember the rest of your life. (Rev. 22:2-3)

FLCC Assistant Pastor Kris Robinson brings a knockout sermon focused on who God really is.

FLCC Assistant Pastor Kris Robinson brings a knockout sermon focused on who God really is.

Obey The Word of Truth

James 1:22-25

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

We must hear the Word of Truth. (vv. 18-20)

Hearing the Word is essential. (vv. 8-21)

But hearing it isn’t enough. (Romans 2:13)

We must know the Word of Truth.

Knowing God’s Word is essential. (John 6:44-45)

But knowing it isn’t enough. (Romans 2:17-23 NLT)

We must believe the Word of Truth.

Believing the Word of Truth is essential. (Romans 5:1-2)

But belief and faith alone is not enough. (James 2:24 CEV)

We must obey the Word of Truth by doing. (vv. 22-25)

If we don’t, we have been deceived.

If we don’t, we have a wrong view of ourselves.

What is the Mirror?

The mirror we look into is the “perfect law of freedom”.

It’s perfect because:

It is the Law because:

It is the Law of Liberty and Freedom because:

"If we don't see our need for Christ that we are drawn to him." Senior Pastor Dan Willis brings a truth-filled message from the book of James.

"If we don't see our need for Christ that we are drawn to him." Senior Pastor Dan Willis brings a truth-filled message from the book of James.

Receive the Word of Truth

James 1:16-21 (NASB)

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

Why should we receive the Word of Truth? (v.18)

We are saved and born again by the Word of Truth.

We then become God’s prized possession from His creation. (Revelation 14:4)

The Word is able to save our souls. (v. 21, Romans 1:16-17)

What stops us from receiving the Word of Truth?

Being quick to speak and slow to listen.

Being quick to anger.  (vv. 19-20)

An immoral life.  (v. 21, Luke 16:14; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

How do we receive the Word of Truth?

Be swift to hear.   (v.18, Acts 10:33)

Be humble. (v. 21, 1 Samuel 3:10)

FLCC Senior Pastor brings a great message focused on the Word of Truth. "You can't hold onto salvation if you don't do what the Word says!" - Dan Willis

FLCC Senior Pastor brings a great message focused on the Word of Truth. "You can't hold onto salvation if you don't do what the Word says!" - Dan Willis

Don't Blame God

James 1:13-18

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Why we can’t blame God. (v. 13)

Our unbelief tries God’s patience.  (Hebrews 3:8-9)

God’s commands try our faith. (Hebrews 11:17)

But God cannot be tempted with evil.

We are responsible for our sin. (vv. 14-15)

Temptation (to sin) comes from lust and enticement.

We are responsible because we made a decision.

Sin brings death.

God is the source of good, not evil.

God is the source of ALL good.

God never changes.