26-0419a - Detailed Summary

Mike explained that it was his turn to speak and hoped things would return to normal after the last two weeks. He had been scheduled for the previous week but switched with Scott due to a celebration of life service for his brother-in-law, Larry Noble, who passed away on March 3rd. The past two Sundays' afternoons had been hectic with Easter dinner at his sister Linda’s (Larry’s widow) and the memorial service. He hoped routines would now stabilize.

Regarding the sermon title "Looking Unto Jesus," Mike noted that listeners might expect encouragement for those suffering or needing hope, but the message would differ. It would present a panoramic view of Jesus, adapted from a lesson by a teacher at Sunset School of Preaching, where Mike had taken correspondence courses years earlier and still possessed the materials.

Mike based the lesson on Hebrews 12:2: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Chapter 11, known as the Hall of Faith, recounts people who believed and obeyed God, enduring sufferings and agonies for their faith. The writer tells the brethren they have a great cloud of witnesses—those named and those described by their struggles—and urges them to lay aside every weight and the sin that easily ensnares them. Then comes the command to look unto Jesus.

Mike illustrated this with Matthew 14. While the disciples' boat was tossed by contrary winds and waves, they saw Jesus walking on the water and thought He was a ghost. Jesus reassured them: "Be of good cheer, it is I. Do not be afraid." Peter asked to come to Him on the water, and Jesus said, "Come." Peter walked on water toward Jesus, but when he saw the boisterous wind, he became afraid, began to sink, and cried, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately caught him and asked why he doubted.

Mike emphasized that keeping eyes focused on Jesus would have allowed Peter to succeed. Life throws curves—opposition from others, illness, or life-threatening diagnoses like cancer. These come like storms, but focusing on Jesus enables us to endure them. He then invited the congregation to look unto Jesus as Creator of all things.

Some believe Jesus began existing only at His birth, but He existed before the world as the Creator. John 1 states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…​ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

Paul in Colossians 1:16-17 adds that by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Four points emerge: He was before all things, He created all things, by Him all things consist, and all things were created by Him and for Him. The earth was created for man. Mike then turned to Jesus' virgin birth, something many disbelieve.

Mary was a virgin. Matthew 1:18-23 records that after she was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, a just man, planned to put her away secretly, but an angel appeared in a dream: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." This fulfilled the prophecy: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel," meaning "God with us." This was a unique birth, one of a kind.

Mike noted skepticism about such a birth exists, but there were three witnesses. First, Mary herself was initially skeptical. When the angel announced she would conceive, she asked, "How can this be, since I know not a man?" The angel explained: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

The second, hostile witness is the devil. Through Herod (as Roger read), he sought to destroy baby Jesus by having other infants killed, but God warned Joseph and the family fled to Egypt. Later, after Jesus fasted forty days, the devil tempted Him directly when He was weakest: "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." Jesus replied, "Man shall not live by bread alone." On the temple pinnacle, the devil urged Him to cast Himself down, quoting scripture about angels bearing Him up. Jesus answered, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." Finally, the devil offered all kingdoms if Jesus would worship him. Jesus declared, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you worship." The devil departed until another appointed time (Luke 4:13), yet pursued Jesus throughout His life. The devil knew Jesus was the Son of God but tried to make Him listen.

The third witness is the Holy Spirit, who inspired Isaiah 7:14 prophesying a virgin would bear a child named Emmanuel. The Holy Spirit also inspired the recording of its fulfillment and participated in the conception: Matthew 1 states Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit, and the angel confirmed to Joseph that what was conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had to be born of a woman but have no human father, making Him the Son of God.

Mike briefly noted Jesus as divine healer, referencing healings in Mark 1:21 through 2:12, including Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever, a leper, and a multitude with various diseases, but lacked time for details.

In conclusion, consider Jesus as the master teacher who taught with authority. He possesses all authority (Matthew 28:18), yet does not use His divine position harshly. In Matthew 11:28-30 He invites: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Meekness is not weakness; Jesus does not burden us beyond what we can bear.

Jesus has not asked anything impossible. For those not yet Christians, believe that He is, or die in sins; repent by turning from sin; confess He is the Son of God; and be baptized for remission of sins, then remain faithful until the end.

For those who have obeyed but strayed, return for restoration—the church will pray with you. Mike urged accepting the invitation: if subject to the gospel call, come while we stand and sing.