Pastor's Bible Study

Jesus is deity. He is God robed in flesh. His' titles, works, and the life He lived all declare that He is God.

Jesus is the incarnate God robed in flesh. He is 100% God and 100% man. This lesson focuses on the humanity of Jesus. It is vitally important that we understand that Jesus lived His life in total victory by depending upon the same resources available to us today as the children of God., It is this reality (i.e. that He lived His life as a man depending upon the Holy Spirit) that lays out an example that we can follow as disciples.

The importance of virgin birth of the incarnate Jesus Christ cannot be overstated. If Jesus was not born of a virgin, then Jesus was a man like you or me. He had a sin nature like you or me. If Jesus was not born of a virgin, then he could not be the Son of God. He could not be sinless. He could not be a substitutionary sacrifice. And He could not be the Savior of mankind. 

The virgin birth of Jesus is often the first truth about Jesus to be attacked. The virgin birth fulfilled prophecy, declares Jesus' purity, and reveals God's purposes.

In this introductory lesson we are faced with the critical question: who is Jesus? Jesus asked his disciples, 'Who do men say that I am?" Then he asked, "Who do you say that I am?" Who we think and believe Jesus to be in our lives is the single most important thing we can believe.

As Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God." Because Jesus is deity, he was preexistent to his incarnation and not only preexistent but also eternal.

Gen 22 is the climax of Abraham’s journey of faith to his bold obedience. But, there is something much larger and grander than the sacrifice of Isaac on Mount Moriah. In this chapter, there is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of God’s Son on this exact same mountain that we today call Calvary. Abraham told Isaac that God would provide Himself a lamb, and He did - Jesus. John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus and His substitutionary sacrifice are seen in Gen 22. This is how Abraham saw Jesus in his day, i.e. through the foreshadowing of Christ's substitutionary atonement.

The bible references Abraham as the friend of God, but that does not mean that Abraham was perfect. He is on a journey to bold obedience, but along the way he does have lapses of faith and commits sin. We are reminded that salvation is instantaneous, but spiritual growth takes time.

Abraham sins by lying once again about Sarah being his sister. His sin not only hurt him but others around him. He damaged his character, lost his testimony, lost his dignity, hurt his ability to minister, and he almost lost Sarah and the promised son to come, Isaac.

Abimilech forgave Abraham. His forgiveness is an illustration of how God forgives his children and restores them.

Chapter 19 tells the sad story of both the destruction of Sodom and the demise of Lot. What led to the destruction of Sodom and the demise of Lot? Choices. Every decision we make either leads us toward the light or deeper into darkness. There is no such thing a meaningless choice.

One of the great things that happened to Abraham as a result of journeying to a bold obedience is that God’s Word describes Abraham as the friend of God. (2 Chron. 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; and James 2:23) 

In Genesis 18 we see Abraham and God's friendships on display. Abraham fellowships with God as he entertains heavenly company. Then we see God treat Abraham as a close friend when He communicates and shares His plan with Abraham regarding the timing of the birth of Isaac and the judgment to be poured out upon Sodom and Gomorrah.

God’s blessing on Abraham spills over into the lives of Abraham’s family members: his wife (barren/bearing son), his two sons (Ishmael - prince over 12 tribes / Isaac the father of Israel, the lineage of Messiah), and all their offspring. 

The blessings of God in our lives can spill over into the lives of our family members (and others).  They are designed to do so, but you have to obey God and walk before God blamelessly in order to get the blessing.