Who is Jesus?

Sometimes I have to ask myself the same question we will answer this Sunday. Who is Jesus? More importantly, who is Jesus to me? I know I run the risk of creating a postmodern Christ by asking this question, but the reality is that I must be able to answer this question for myself before I can explain Him to someone else.

As we spoke this evening and I retorted that it was several years after my conversion experience before I really saw Jesus as God. It may come as a surprise to many, but we are not inbred with all biblical understanding when we are born again. Understanding takes time for each human. Furthermore, we all learn at different rates of speed. So don't take for granted our students are where we are spiritually. As a matter of fact, don't take for granted where you are spiritually. I have found when I gain understanding there is so much more to understand being opened before me.

But let's get back to the primary question, Who is Jesus? The easy answer is that He is God. And many religions would agree with my statement. Certainly the Hindus would have no trouble with this statement. As a matter of fact, any religion who accepts man is a god would have no trouble with my statement. The difference between what I believe about Jesus and what other religions believe about Jesus is His uniqueness. He is unique among all persons who have walked this earth. He claimed to be the only path to God. How audacious a statement this would be if it were not true. Only a man who is not in full control of his mind could make such a statement and believe it was true. That, or he was lying to his followers. Either He is who he says he is, or He is a liar, or He is a lunatic. Now, before you proclaim me a genius for stating this argument, let me tell you it was CS Lewis who first articulated this line of reasoning. The fact is Jesus must fall into one of these three categories. Which leads us to a scary thought: What if He is who He claimed to be?

If He is God in human flesh then we are faced with a problem - What do we do with Him? This in my mind will be the pivotal question on Sunday. Be ready to help guide a discussion on this level. Begin answering this question for yourself, then you will be able to help others answer the question.

Blessings,

Chuck

Our First Week

Well, it certainly is time. We have been working toward this date for a long time. And I must admit, I'm a bit anxious about our first meeting. Not that I think I'll flame out or anything. I just want to do the best for our Lord.

John Eldridge, in his book Epic, comments that all of life has a story - each person lives out their own epic. To make sense of life we must discover, Eldridge would say, our story.As I began reviewing this week's lesson I thought, "where is my story in all this?" That's exactly where I am in life right now - asking myself "what is your story?" You need to be asking that of yourself, because Sunday we will all be sharing our stories. Each person we encounter in iWay will want you to help them understand their stories. We must be ready to help them understand our students through understanding the story of Christ, who said of His story "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life".

This week I have been trying to help my brother understand the unraveling of his story. His father-in-law died today. And I think in many ways he looked to him as a surrogate father. It pained me today to listen to the story as he rolled it out. I really hurt for him. But he proved strong and said he was glad he spoke with me. Now this part of his story is a part of mine.

We will listen Sunday to the stories around us in our small groups and slowly, but surely, their stories will be rolled into ours. I think somehow this is what the writer of Hebrews was alluding to when he wrote, "now that we are encompassed by such a great cloud of witnesses..." those saints that have gone on before have adopted us into their story and are now cheering us on as we bring to culmination the great story of the ages - the story of God's love for each of us.

Blessings!

Chuck

Welcome

Welcome to iWay!

iWay is a new lifegroup of Taylors First Baptist Church located in Taylors, SC. We meet Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM in room B216. We invite you to attend to learn more about the Christian life. The format is fairly simple and is based in small group discussion. Some of the topics of discussion will center around questions that every one asks about the Christian life, experiencing a life changing walk with God, developing habits meant to transform your life, and understanding how your Christian walk helps you understand the world around you.

Our initial meeting will be on August 19, 2007. We hope you will join us.

We will use this blog to better communicate and discuss the topics we introduce in the class.

Chuck