JESUS and Humility (Heb.2)

When we consider what God has all done for us and still does for us - how could we not love Him?...

(Hebrews 2:1-4)  For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?  After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

When we consider how God (the Creator)  humbled Himself for us, going through every temptation that we could ever possibly face, suffering and dying for all our sins for all time - all for us - - - how could we question His intentions? - - -Why would we not trust and obey Him wholly?...

(Hebrews 2:4-18)  For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying,

“What is man, that You remember him?
Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?
7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And have appointed him over the works of Your hands;
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.  9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying,

“I will proclaim Your name to My brethren,
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put My trust in Him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. 16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

JESUS is God (Heb.1)

As God's Son, Jesus is  part of the Trinity, and was there at the "beginning" to create the universe...

(Hebrews 1:1-3)  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.  When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Jesus - is - God!  The following scripture is what God the Heavenly Father says...

(Hebrews 1:8-12)  ...of the Son He says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.
9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness above Your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they all will become old like a garment,
12 And like a mantle You will roll them up;
Like a garment they will also be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.”

JESUS (Titus 3)

Only because Jesus is God that He has the authority and ability to save us and offer us eternal hope...

(Titus 3:1-7)  Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. 3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

JESUS is Sovereign (1 Tim.6)

People advocating different doctrines (as seen in the scripture below, of course) still happens today.  People take the Bible out of context or simply make up their own religion of what should and shouldn't be.  A very popular viewpoint today is that everyone should be tolerant of "everyONE" - actually what they mean to say "everything".  We SHOULD love everyone!  We should NOT agree with everything.  Although it is HOW we react to things which is something we need to figure out.  And the answer is found at the end of this chapter.

But how is the fact - of Jesus being God - important to this issue?  I believe - very!  I know a lot of people who call themselves "Christians" (actually call themselves "Progressive Christians") would see Jesus as just a good man, because if Jesus was just a man, then all the other religions which were developed by mankind have the same and equal opportunity of being truth.  And if Jesus was just a man, then us being mankind can decide for ourselves what truth is.

Now, clearly, and scientifically even, truth can only be one thing.  Either something is or it isn't.  Either it is one way or it is another.  If a table top is square, even if one believes with their whole heart that the table is round (because they don't like the corners), or if one believes with with their whole heart that the table doesn't exist at all - it doesn't change the FACT (the TRUTH) that the table indeed exists and it is square! ...

(1 Timothy 6:3-16)  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

The chapter before this also spoke about the King of kings.  We know this to be Jesus.  And we know that we will all face Him as our Judge one day.  For those who are not believers, they will be judged at the Great White Throne - for the sins they have committed.  For believers, we will be judged at the Bema Seat - for the deeds we have done.  Those deeds will be tested by fire, and for those works which are not burned away (those works which are done with loving and pure motives), we will receive rewards.

SO - when faced with those people who are preaching a different doctrine - what do we say and/or do?...

(1 Timothy 6:17-21)  Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.  20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.

Sounds easy.  Simply follow Jesus' example.  Loving God and doing His will.  Loving people!  When tempted by Satan, Jesus quoted Bible verses.  When questioned and tested by the Pharisees, Jesus usually just answered their questions.  Often He would disappear from their sight.  Jesus never went looking for an argument.  We are not to be contentious.  We are not to provoke.  We ARE to do everything in love!...

(1 Corinthians 16:14)  Let all that you do be done in love.

JESUS the Savior (1 Tim.4)

The living God is described as the Savior...

(1 Timothy 4:6-10)  In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

Therefore the living God and Savior is Jesus...

(Philippians 3:17-21)  Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Why would we base our hope on someone who was not God?  How could someone one save us spiritually who was not God?...

(Psalm 40:4-5)  How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.  5 
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You.  If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)  Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

(Romans 8:14)  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

(Philippians 4:13)  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

(1 Corinthians 2:6-16)  Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.