Jesus - Jesus the One and Only - John 3, 14 and 1 Timothy 2 - Octiber 24, 2010

Bible Study – Jesus – Jesus the One and Only – October 24, 2010

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “The Case for Jesus.”
Our scripture is John 3:16-18; 14:1-11; 1Timothy 2:3-6.
This is likely the number one issue in Christianity; JESUS the ONE and ONLY. It isn’t fair or is it? If GOD was truly love HE would allow everyone to enter heaven or at least allow everyone to choose a way to get to heaven. GOD made man/woman and HE made him/her with the freedom to choose. HE could have said forget it but HIS love for HIS creation compelled HIM to give mankind an opportunity to be redeemed from the sentence of death. GOD is all knowing, omniscience. If GOD is all knowing then HE knew before HE made man that man would sin? Yes. So why did HE make man? It is my opinion that GOD’S foreknowledge allowed HIM to know that mankind would fall. If HE had acted upon HIS foreknowledge and not made man, then, HE would have condemned mankind before HE ever created it. HE chose to allow mankind to exist and HE had a plan for the salvation of mankind. HIS Plan involved the sacrifice of HIS ONLY SON for all who would believe in HIM (CHRIST). GOD knows the beginning from the end. HE is in charge whether you like it or not. HE is sovereign.

It is HIS role is to bring people to salvation. It is a Christian’s role to be obedient to HIS guidance through the HOLY SPIRIT and be a witness for GOD. Keep in mind that true Christianity is not a religion. People make a religion out of Christianity but true Christianity is a personal relationship with GOD through CHRIST. It is CHRIST in you that makes you a Christian not you in a church or Synagogue or temple or climbing a certain number of steps.

The following scripture is the core of Christianity and expresses who GOD is and why HE allowed CHRIST to come to earth.

Let’s read John 3:16-18:
16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

Realize that JESUS is speaking these words. GOD loved HIS creation. This love included all human beings and nature. HE gave HIS ONLY SON. HE gave HIM by allowing CHRIST to leave HIS position in heaven, to leave HIS Glory to come to earth. CHRIST had a choice and was willing to give HIS life for all who would believe in HIM.

If there had been another way to GOD, then HE would not have needed to send HIS ONLY SON to earth. GOD allowed HIS ONLY SON to become vulnerable as a human and to be tempted in all ways as mankind is tempted. GOD knew that HIS SON would have to remain sinless or otherwise HE would not be the acceptable sacrifice for sin that HE required.

Why did GOD do this other than out of love? Notice in verse 16, “so that everyone who believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life.”

Muhammad and Buddha were searching for GOD. They were mere mortals. When they died they remained dead. Yet, humans made a religion out of their search for GOD. They are no different than any other human in the search for GOD. So what’s the difference with Christianity?

In Christianity, GOD came to mankind. GOD reached out to mankind through HIS ONLY SON, JESUS. GOD was willing for HIS ONLY SON to come earth. HE/CHRIST lived as a human, subject to all the frailties of humans, even death. HE got hungry, HE wept, HE got tired, HE slept, HE got thirsty and HE associated with the people the religious leaders looked down upon.

HE met with religious leaders but HE did not try to be politically correct when HE spoke to them. HE spoke truth and HIS truth did not match their interpretation of truth. I finished an interesting book recently – “The Jesus You Can’t Ignore” written by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN. (My friend Ken Page told me about this book and let me read his copy. I am grateful to Ken for this.) John MacDonald does a great job of presenting a side of Jesus that many Christians do not consider.

JESUS made it clear that GOD did not send HIS SON to condemn the world but that the world would have had an alternative to sin and death. GOD offers freedom from sin and life eternal to all who will accept what JESUS did on the cross for him/her and believe in HIM. It is a free gift. It requires a decision. Is there any other way? No. But what is wrong with this way, after all, the ONE WHO made mankind designed the way back to HIM. Notice that GOD did not send JESUS to condemn the world. The world was already condemned for all have sinned and fallen short of GOD’S requirements. The world and all in it have no hope outside of GOD’S redemption. Yet, while we were sinners CHRIST died in behalf of who would believe in HIM.

Reject JESUS and a person continues to remain under the penalty of sin, which is death. Do you want to live forever? Then JESUS is the way, the truth and the life. Simple but true. It is your decision. GOD gave you the freedom to choose. Choose correctly because it has eternal consequences.

Let’s read John 14:1-11:
The Way to the Father
1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe[1]in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;[2]if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way where I am going.”[3]5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus Reveals the Father
7 “If you know Me, you will also know[4]My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?[5]The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe[6]because of the works themselves.

JESUS was teaching HIS disciples truth before HE was to be crucified. HE had told them about heaven and that HE was going to prepare a place for them, as well as, all believers. HIS disciples had walked with HIM and seen many miracles. Thomas asked HIM a good honest question in verse 5. JESUS answered him in verses 6 and 7. Then Philip kicked the questioning up to a higher level. He wanted to see the FATHER. He wanted further proof that JESUS was really the SON of GOD. Many of us want physical proof that JESUS was and is the true SON of GOD. Philip had seen miracles performed at the hands of JESUS. Yet, he wanted more. Our human curiosity is never ending.

JESUS asked Philip in essence, “What further proof do you need that I AM the SON of GOD?” I and the FATHER are ONE. Philip if you cannot see that MY FATHER and I are ONE then consider the miracles that MY FATHER performed through ME.

We all have questions. Questions are good because they lead to truth. Ask CHRIST the hard questions but when you do be open to HIS reply. We know that Philip still had some Spiritual growing and maturing to do. The crucifixion and resurrection of CHRIST were yet to take place. Without the resurrection there is no more reason to believe that HE is the SON of GOD than any other human who has walked upon earth. The resurrection was GOD’S proof to all people that JESUS was HIS ONLY SON. Accept it or reject it. Be careful because the consequences are eternal.
 Christians serve a risen SAVIOR, WHO lives and because HE lives so will all who believe in HIM.
 Let’s read 1Timothy 2:3-6:
Instructions on Prayer
1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.
 Prayer is our communication link to GOD through CHRIST. Paul was telling Timothy to pray for all things. Pray for those who have earthly authority over you. Christians can do more from a loving point-of-view than from a militant point-of-view. This is not saying to roll over and play dead when things are not going according to GOD’S plan. But seek your guidance and direction from HIM in all matters.
 Notice in verse 4 that GOD’S desire is for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. Religion offers false truth. So how can a Christian know truth? Verses 5 and 6 make it clear. CHRIST is truth and truth comes through a loving, intimate relationship with HIM.


CHRIST is the mediator between GOD and man/woman. CHRIST is GOD reaching down from heaven to mankind. Sin was and is the barrier between GOD and mankind. CHRIST gave HIS life through the shedding of HIS Blood to pay the penalty for sin. GOD required the blood sacrifice. CHRIST broke the sin barrier. GOD set the rule and GOD provided HIS ONLY SON as the prefect sacrifice.


Since the moment CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross, the sin barrier has been broken. The way to GOD, the FATHER, is open to all who will accept what CHRIST did for them on the cross. If that was all, then I can understand why some would question the legitimacy of a person claiming to be GOD’S ONLY SON and dying on a cross. The proof is HIS resurrection and the fact that HIS disciples had scattered but they all came back and gave their lives to tell others about CHRIST, the Messiah.


Just as JESUS told Philip to believe in HIM because of the miracles he had seen. Later Philip could add because of HIS resurrection and so should we. No other person in the history of the world has ever done defeated death. Fact or fiction, you decide. I chose it as truth many years ago and it is reconfirmed daily. HIS handiwork surrounds us all. JESUS IS THE ONE AND ONLY!!! But what about? The only “what about” you need to be concerned with is your salvation. Then you will know what to be concerned about as you are led by the HOLY SPIRIT. You are accountable to GOD. If two (2) people are drowning and one can save himself/herself, when that happens, then he/she is in a position to help the other person.

Up to the moment that JESUS dies on the cross, people needed to go through a priest to access GOD. Since CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross, was resurrected and ascended into heaven, HE became our way to GOD. All Christians can approach GOD directly, even to the point of calling HIM, Daddy. CHRIST’S passion accomplished direct access to GOD for all believers. CHRIST stands as the advocate for all believers before the FATHER. HE mediates between GOD and mankind. When a Christian sins Satan is ready to condemn him/her before GOD but CHRIST steps in to say, “There is no condemnation because they are covered by MY blood. They are righteous and belong to GOD. I gave MY life for them and their sins.” Christians serve a living SAVIOR WHO intercedes in their behalf before GOD.

The book of Hebrews is good to read to study the connection between the sacrifice of JESUS, sacrificial system and access to GOD. In essence, the shedding of the blood of animals for the remission of sin was a place holder for the moment CHRIST shed HIS blood. Up to the moment that HIS blood was shed for sin, all who lived before that moment were looking to the day that HE would give HIS life on the cross. They did not necessarily know that. Since that moment, all Christians are looking back to the cross as the moment the sin barrier was broken. All who believe in CHRIST are saved by faith and because of HIS shed blood. What happened to those who died before CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross, those who were looking forward to the cross?


First Peter 3:18-22:
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all,[23] [24]the righteous[25] for the unrighteous,[26]that He might bring you[27] to God,[28]after being put to death in the fleshly realm[29]but made alive in the spiritual realm.[30]19 In that state[31] He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison[32] 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah[33] while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few—that is, eight people[34]—were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge[35] of a good conscience[36] toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.[37]


When CHRIST died on the cross HE went to the place of the dead and presented Himself as the Promised Messiah to those who had departed this life in death. When HE died HE also took those who were in Paradise with HIM to heaven. GOD never leaves anything undone. HE finishes what HE begins. HE wants to begin a work in you. Allow HIM to do that by accepting HIM as your SAVIOR. How far does the love of GOD extend? Paul said it best in Romans 8:33-39:
33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. 35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.[19]37 No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
 For GOD so loved the world that HE did what for you? Sent HIS ONE AND ONLY SON!!!