God the Son

June 18, 2023

Imagine that you have an ant problem in your yard (perhaps you don’t have to imagine this!) You go to the store and buy a product that is designed to fool the ants into thinking that it is delicious ant food when it is, in fact, poison. Now imagine an ant lover (do those exist?) who wants to save the ants from certain death. No matter what this ant lover does, he cannot communicate with the ants, so they continue to carry the poison back to their ant hill. What would the ant lover need to do to save the ants? He would need to become one of them to keep them from certain death. That is what God has done for us in the person of Jesus Christ. Join us for part three of Essentials, where we will see how God took on flesh to come and save us.

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Passage

Romans 1:19-20 & Hebrews 1:1-3

Principles

In essentials, we have __________; in non-essentials, we have ______________; ______ in all things, we aspire to ________ ________________ ____________.

Essential #2: Jesus is ______ ________ ____ come to show us God’s ________, save us from ______, shut down ________________, and set up ________ ______________ so we can share in ________ ________.

Jesus is God with us.

See Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15; John 1:1-5; and John 1:14.

He shows us God’s love.

See 1 John 4:9-10; Romans 5:8; and John 3:16-17.

He saves us from sin.

See 2 Corinthians 5:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Titus 3:5.

He sets up God’s Kingdom.

‍See Luke 17:20-21 and Matthew 6:10.

So that we can share in God’s life.

‍See John 10:10.

Practice

Commit the Gospel in 30 Words to memory.

Small Group Questions

Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.

HANGOUT

Today we continue a series of conversations based on the book of Romans. John Calvin once said, “If we have gained an understanding of [Romans], we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture.” Based on last week’s discussion from Romans, do you agree with Calvin? Why or why not?

To dig deeper, check out Romans for Everyone (Part 1) by N.T. Wright. You can also read the chapter we will discuss today once a day between now and the next time we meet.

What is the difference between a mistake and a sin?

HEAR

Read Romans 3:1-9

How did being entrusted with the “very words of God” give the Jews an advantage?
In what ways does our unrighteousness reveal God’s righteousness? Can you give a personal example?
According to Paul, how might people take advantage of this truth? Have you ever taken advantage of this truth? If so, how?

Read Romans 3:10-20

What point is Paul trying to make by quoting several Old Testament passages (Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; 5:8; 140:3; 10:7; 36:1; Ecclesiastes 7:20; and Isaiah 59:7-8)? How does this support the point he made in verse 2?
What do these verses teach us about the effectiveness of religion as prescribed through the law?
How good would someone have to be to be saved through their obedience? Is it possible to be that good? When did you realize that you could never be that good?

Read Romans 3:21-31

If righteousness cannot be attained through religion or the law, how can we possibly attain it?
According to verses 23-24, what two things are true for all people? Does verse 24 suggest universal salvation? Why or why not?
Why does this exclude boasting (vs. 27-28)? Read Ephesians 2:8-9.

HUDDLE

Are you depending on any works of righteousness for salvation? How have you experienced God’s grace in the past week? Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray together.

Daily Readings

Our summer Bible reading plan will focus on passages related to our essential beliefs. As you read, invite the Holy Spirit to affirm what is essential. How will this essential affect your life today?

Day 1: Romans 3
Day 2: Hebrews 1
Day 3: 1 John 1
Day 4: 1 John 4
Day 5: 2 Corinthians 5
Day 6: John 10
Day 7: Luke 17

Think Deeper

Is it possible to know the character and nature of God? If so, how?
Most people believe God is love, but is it possible to know God’s love apart from Jesus? Why or why not?
Who is Jesus?

Suggested Resources

Essential Christianity, by J.D. Greer

Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis

Basic Christianity, by John Stott

Check out these and other suggested books at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB‍