The most important question any of us will face is the one Jesus asked his disciples: ‘Who do you say I am?’ This is a question we answer not just once, but which informs all aspects of our lives. During Lent and in the weeks that follow, we are going to be exploring who Jesus is and what that means for us. Our hope is that this series will build our confidence in who Jesus is and enable us to greet the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday with even more joy and thankfulness.
This year is the 1700th anniversary of an important event in the history of the Church: the First Council of Nicaea. In 325AD Church leaders met to address controversies about who Jesus is. Their discussions led to the Nicene Creed, a detailed declaration of faith still used by Christians today. Our series of talks explores the different facets of Jesus which the Nicene Creed sets out. You can read the Nicene Creed here.
Rebecca will be hosting two sessions for those who would like to discuss the series and the issues it raises further, particularly those who are not in a house group. They will be Tuesday 25th March 7.30pm-9pm and Sunday 13th April 5pm-6.30pm. If you would like to attend either or both these sessions, please let Rebecca know.
Jesus: ‘Who do you say I am?’
9th March Jesus: God with us
readings: John 1.1-14; Hebrews 1.1-4
Jesus is both fully God and fully human. We do not worship a distant God, but one who is knowable because of Jesus who is God’s ‘self-portrait’.
16th March Jesus: source of life
readings: John 6.35-40; Colossians 1.15-20
Jesus was there at the beginning of creation and it is through him we may know fullness of life both now and after our death.
23rd March Jesus: fulfilling scriptures
readings: Isaiah 53.7-12; Luke 24.13-32
Jesus was God’s restoration plan for his world; through his life and death he was the answer to the promises God made to his people.
30th March (Mothering Sunday) Jesus: working in the world
readings: Luke 4.38-44; Philippians 2.1-11
Jesus entered fully into the world to transform it through his life and death; he showed us what it looks like to love and serve.
6th April Jesus: died for us
readings: Mark 10.32-34; Hebrews 2.14-18
Although it seemed to be the result of the political systems of his day, Jesus’ death happened because he allowed it so that he might pay the price for our sins.
13th April (Palm Sunday) Jesus: servant king
readings: Psalm 118.19-end and Luke 19.28-40
Jesus came to declare his kingdom has come and to show us a very different model of leadership.
20th April (Easter Day) Jesus: our risen Lord
readings: Luke 24.1-12; Acts 10.34-43
The tomb was empty because Jesus had risen from the dead, proof that he is who he said he is.
27th April – 25th May the implications of Jesus’ resurrection
1st June (Ascension) Jesus: seated in heaven
readings: Luke 24.44-end; Acts 1.1-11
Easter is not the end of the story because after 40 days Jesus ascended to heaven where he prays for us.
8th June (Pentecost) Jesus: empowered by the Holy Spirit
readings: John 14.8-17; Acts 2.1-21
The same Holy Spirit which empowered Jesus is in all who believe that Jesus is who he said he is and enables us to know God.
15th June Jesus: will come again
readings: Daniel 7.9-14; Revelation 21.1-8
Knowing that Jesus will come again in all his glory should make a difference to how we live now.