BACK TO THE BASICS - CHRIST
                                 
Introduction

I.   When I was small, I received a basic carpenter's tool set.
     A.   The tools gave me a basic understanding of carpentry.

II.  But there's something more important; we must never forget the basics of Christianity  (Heb
     6:1-3;  2 Pet 1:12. 

III. The basics are important in every area of life.
     A.   Sports: basketball, golf.
     B.   Building a house.
     C.   Driving a car.

IV   We are beginning a series of lessons which I have entitles, "Back to the Basics."
     A.   We will reexamine several basic truths about Christianity that never grow old.
     B.   Today we will go back to the basics studying about Christ.

V    We must never forget Christ (1 Cor 2:1-2).
     A.   Let me share with you 6 important truths about Jesus that must never be forgotten.
          1.   1) Cross; 2) Head; 3) Righteousness; 4) I AM; 5) Savior; 6) Teacher.

Body

I.   We must never forget the CROSS.
     A.   The cross is the measure of man's sin.
          1.   Sin nailed the Lord to the cross (Isa 53:3-5).
          2.   Sin was addressed by God at the cross (Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 John 2:2. 
     B.   The cross is the manifestation of God's love (Rom 5:8; John 3:16).
     C.   The cross is the means of salvation.
          1.   It was on the cross that Jesus shed His blood (John 19:33-34; Heb 9:22; Mat
               26:28).
          2.   It is Jesus' blood that washes away sins (Rev 1:5; 1 John 1:7).
          3.   It is that blood we come in contact with in baptism (Rom 6:3-4).
     D.   The cross is the mark of separation (Gal 6:14).
     E.   The cross is the message of heaven.
          1.   One day we can stand in heaven because one day the cross stood on Calvary.

II.  We must never forget the HEAD.
     A.   Jesus is the head of the church - the body (Col 1:18).
     B.   Jesus is the head of the family of God (1 Tim 3:15).
          1.   Jesus is the steward of God's house [oikonomia - house/law (Eph 1:10)].
     C.   Jesus is the head of the bride.
          1.   The church is the bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2).
     D.   Jesus is the head of the kingdom.
          1.   Jesus is now King of the kingdom.

III. We must never forget His RIGHTEOUSNESS.
     A.   Jesus is righteous (1 John 2:1).
     B.   Jesus rules in righteousness (Heb 1:8).
     C.   Jesus loves righteousness (Heb 1:9).
     D.   Jesus came to fulfil all righteousness (Mat 3:13).
          1.   The word of God is righteous.
     E.   Jesus wants us to be righteous (1 John 2:29).
          1.   If we remain righteous, we will receive a crown of righteousness.

IV.  We must never forget the I AM (Exodus 3:14).
     A.   Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" (John 6:35).
     B.   Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" (John 8:12).
     C.   Jesus said, "I AM the Door of the sheep" (John 10:7).
     D.   Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11).
     E.   Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25).
     F.   Jesus said, "I Am the Way, the Truth, & the Life" (John 14:6).
     G.   Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" (John 15:1).

V.   We must never forget the SAVIOR.
     A.   Jesus is the universal Savior (John 1:29).
     B.   Jesus is the unifying Savior (John 10:16; cf. Eph 2:12-17).
     C.   Jesus is the unique Savior.
          1.   He came into the world to save (Mat 1:21; Lk 19:10).
          2.   He is the only Savior we have (Ax 4:12).
          3.   He will save if we will obey (Heb 5:8-9).

VI.  We must never forget the TEACHER.
     A.   Jesus was the Master Teacher because of His manner of teaching.
          1.   He spoke with simplicity ... "the common people heard him gladly."
          2.   He spoke with sympathy (Mark 6:34).
          3.   He spoke with supreme authority.
     B.   Jesus was the Master Teacher because of His life.
          1.   He practiced what He proclaimed.
          2.   His preaching and life are patterns today.
     C.   Jesus was the Master Teacher because of His message.
          1.   He taught the truth.
               a.   What He taught was and is important (John 14:23-24).
          2.   He taught people how to live (Mat 5-7).
          3.   He taught people how to worship (John 4:24).
          4.   He taught people how to be saved.
          a.   Hear the gospel (John 6:45).
          b.   Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24).
          c.   Repent of sins (Luke 13:3, 5).
          d.   Confess before other that Jesus is the Son of God (Mat 10:32-33).
          e.   Be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16; Mat 28:18-20).

Conclusion

I.   We have examined 6 important truths about Jesus.
     A.   Interestingly, the 1st letter of each word combined spells "CHRIST."

II.  We must never forget the basics.
     A.   1) Cross; 2) Head; 3) Righteousness; 4) I AM; 5) Savior; 6) Teacher.


**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/