The Uniqueness Of Jesus

THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS!

So often we see images of Jesus today still hanging on the cross, one who lived such a righteous life, yet died such a seemingly unjust and violent death.  How tragic that would be if that were the end of the story!

WHAT MAKES JESUS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PERSON WHO HAS EVER LIVED?

The Bible says that JESUS IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS
“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

THE WORD BECAME FLESH
“The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

THE PROPHETS SAID THIS WOULD BE NO ORDINARY CHILD
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time and forever.” (Isaiah 9:6,7)

THIS CHILD WOULD GROW UP TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD
“But he was pierced for our transgressions (our violations against God’s Law), he was crushed for our iniquities (sins); the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5,6)

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD JESUS
“The angel said to the women, `Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5,6)

JESUS IS AT WORK FROM HEAVEN, READY TO ASSIST US IN TIMES OF NEED
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. `Men of Galilee,’ they said, `why do you stand here looking into the sky: this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand (the position of power and authority) of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

The Bible includes 66 books written by some 40 authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over a period of 1,500 years. Out of the many messianic prophecies (prophecies about the coming Messiah or Christ), the science of probability gives only a one in 10 to the 157th (a one followed by 157 zeros) chance of any one man fulfilling even forty-eight of these prophecies. Jesus fulfilled sixty major Old Testament messianic prophecies and approximately 270 ramifications. He will fulfill additional prophecies relating to his second coming when he returns. (Statistics from “A Ready Defense” © by Josh McDowell—”Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc”)

If you examine the various religions of the world, you find systems of belief in which people try to earn their salvation by the things that they do. In Christianity, God does for us (in the person of Jesus Christ) what we cannot do for ourselves ~ save us from our sins. All major world religions acknowledge the problem of sin, but only Christianity deals with sin once and for all by the atonement of Jesus on the cross in our place.

The Problem of Sin
Sin is doing, saying, or even thinking whatever is not right in the eyes of God. Sin separates us from God and ultimately leads to death and an eternity in hell, separated from the grace of God forever if not dealt with. None of us would escape were it not for Christ.

The Bible tells us,
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God… no one who does good.” (Romans 3:10-12)

Jesus as seen in the Old Testament sacrifices
In the Old Testament we saw Israel offer animal sacrifices as a temporary covering for sin. The whole OT concept of substitutionary atonement (a substitute paying for the sin of another) was a picture of what Jesus (the perfect substitute) would ultimately do for us on the cross. When John the Baptist introduced the ministry of Jesus he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Jesus, the Ultimate Sacrifice
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus died on the cross receiving the
punishment we deserved, paying the penalty for our sins: past, present and future. The Bible tells us that when we put our faith in Jesus, we are forgiven of our sins and given new life in Him (John 1:12,13). We are covered in the righteousness of Christ (Galatians 3:26,27) so that when God sees us (the believer in Christ), He sees us as He sees Jesus, holy and pure.

WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER RELIGION IN THE WORLD?

Jesus, the only way to God
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

How do you become a Christian?
YOU BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT CHRIST!

What is the Good News?
“That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures….” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)

Why?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

GOD’S PROMISE
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12,13)

Receiving JESUS as Savior
If you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, we encourage you right now in the quietness of this moment to confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Repent (change direction) from the wrong things you’ve done and receive Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of your life. Entrust yourself into the loving hands of Jesus and you will never regret it!

AFTER RECEIVING JESUS
Read your Bible daily beginning with the Gospel of John and be sure to get involved in a Bible believing church. Share with others what God is doing in your life. May God bless you as you grow in His grace, experiencing the
inexpressible joy of walking with Christ!

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Note: If you prayed to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior after reading this tract, please call us at (541) 297-1571.

(All Bible verses are quoted form the New International Version of the Bible)                                                   Tract written by Michael J. Barnard.

THE BENEFITS OF THE CROSS

Jesus walked on this earth for approximately 33 years. Listed below are 33 benefits of the cross that every person receives the moment they trust Christ as Savior.

1. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 3:24,25)
2. We are born again (John 3:16; 1 Pet. 1:23)
3. We are justified [declared righteous](Acts 13:39;Rom. 3:24)
4. We are forgiven of our sins (Acts 13:38; 1 John 1:9)
5. We are delivered from our guilt (Psa. 103:11,12; 1 John 1:9)
6. We are recipients of God’s grace (Tit. 2:11; 1 Cor. 1:4)
7. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Acts 20:28, John 1:29b)
8. We are saved from the wrath of God (John 3:36; Rom. 5:9)
9. We are reconciled to God through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18)
10. We have peace with God (Rom. 5:1; Col. 3:15)
11. We are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,17; Eph. 1:13,14)
12. We are empowered to do what is right in the eyes of God through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Gal. 5:25)
13. We receive a Counselor and Helper in the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26)
14. We are being sanctified [set apart for God] (John 17:19; 1 Cor. 6:11)
15. We are the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2,9)
16. We are the beloved of God (1 John 4:10; Rom. 1:7)
17. We are adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5; Rom. 8:23)
18. We become children of the King! (John 1:12, 13; 1 John 3:1) Men become Princes; Women ~ Princesses
19. We receive an inheritance from God (Eph. 1:14; Col. 3:24)
20. We are joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17; Eph. 3:6)
21. We have access to God’s throne (Heb. 4:16)
22. We are possessors of every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3)
23. We have an Advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1)
24. We have an Intercessor in Christ (John 17:20; Rom. 8:33-35)
25. We have a Mediator in Christ (Heb. 9:15; 1 Tim. 2:5)
26. We have a High Priest in Christ (Heb. 4:14, 15)
27. We have a Savior in Christ (Luke 2:11; Acts 4:12)
28. We have our Lord in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:23; 1 Pet. 3:15)
29. We have hope in Christ that can not be taken away (Col. 1:27; Tit. 1:1,2)
30. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 1:17)
31. We receive eternal life through faith in Christ (John 17:1,2; John 3:36)
32. We are eternally secure in Christ (Rom. 8:37-39; Heb. 5:7-9)
33. We will be glorified with Christ (Rom. 8:30; 1 John 3:2,3)

Shoreline Community Church
(541) 808-0902
pastor_mbarnard@hotmail.com