"THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE"

Jesus' Claims In Relation To Human Needs

INTRODUCTION
  1. We have considered claims made by Jesus...
    1. In relation to God
    2. In relation to the Messianic hope
    -- Indeed, they are great claims!
  2. Jesus made claims that were not only great, but relate to basic personal needs common to all
  3. In this study we shall consider...
    1. These human needs
    2. The claims Jesus made in relation to them

[One basic need of man is...]

  1. THE NEED TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
    1. CONCERNING THIS NEED...
      1. Many may deny they have this need
      2. Yet a simple look at the history of mankind reveals otherwise
        1. Every civilization bears record of man's search for God
        2. While concepts of God may vary, man is united in the need to know God
      3. Paul explained that this "need" is innate with man - cf. Ac 17:24-28
        1. God created man with an inner desire to seek the Lord
        2. Though often suppressed, this desire prompts one to "grope for Him"
      4. Those who deny this need go through life never finding full satisfaction
        1. Like Solomon in his search for meaning, they explore material things (riches, fame, drugs, sex, etc.)
        2. If permitted enough time to exhaust their search, like Solomon they often conclude as did he: "All is vanity and grasping for wind" - cf. Ec 1:12-14
      5. It is only when we come to have fellowship with God that life can be complete
        1. Material things alone do not satisfy this longing
        2. Solomon concluded that man's purpose is to fear God and keep His commandments - Ec 12:13-14
        3. Jesus said that "man does not live by bread alone" - Mt 4:4
    2. JESUS CLAIMS TO FULFILL THIS NEED...
      1. To be the complete revelation of God - Jn 14:7-9
      2. To provide the only avenue for fellowship with Him - Jn 14:6

      [Closely aligned with this need to know God and have fellowship with Him is...]

  2. THE NEED FOR SALVATION FROM SIN
    1. CONCERNING THIS NEED...
      1. Again, many may deny this need
      2. But the sins of mankind are obvious - cf. 2Ti 3:1-4
        1. The problem lies within man himself - Mk 7:21-23
        2. Thus man cannot save himself
        3. He is therefore in need of salvation from the consequences of sin
          1. The guilt of sin
          2. The power of sin
      3. Fulfilling this need directly affects our being able to satisfy the need to have fellowship with God - Isa 59:1-2
        1. Our sins separate us from God
        2. Our sins prevent us from being heard by God
    2. JESUS CLAIMS TO PROVIDE THE SOLUTION...
      1. He offers to set one free from sin - Jn 8:30-36
        1. Free from the guilt of sin
        2. Free from the slavery of sin
      2. This He does in two ways
        1. Through His death on the cross, which deals with the guilt of sin - Jn 3:14-18
        2. Through the sending of the Spirit, which addresses the power of sin - Jn 7:37-39; cf. Ro 8:11-13

        [In addition to claiming to provide the way to fellowship with God and salvation from sin, we see that Jesus also claims to fulfill...]

  3. THE NEED FOR GUIDANCE IN LIFE
    1. CONCERNING THIS NEED...
      1. That man has such a need is clearly taught in the Scriptures
        1. It is not in man to direct his steps - Jer 10:23
        2. What seems right to man can lead to death - Pr 16:25
      2. Evidence is seen in societies which forget God
        1. Moral chaos is often the result - e.g., Ro 1:28-32
        2. Where chaos in societies (and individual lives) does not exist, it is only because:
          1. Such are guided by God-given principles of justice and righteousness
          2. Established previously when people did seek God for guidance
    2. JESUS CLAIMS TO PROVIDE THIS GUIDANCE...
      1. He offers Himself as "the light of the world" - Jn 8:12
      2. He offers Himself as "the good Shepherd" - Jn 10:11
      3. He claims to be "the king" - Jn 18:37

      [As our king, shepherd, and light, Jesus claims to guide us safely through a dark and difficult world. He also claims to fulfill...]

  4. THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE
    1. CONCERNING THIS NEED...
      1. Man is both a physical and spiritual being
      2. We have seen that a purely materialistic world does not truly satisfy - Mt 4:4
      3. The spiritual side of man must also be fulfilled
    2. JESUS CLAIMS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE...
      1. He offers "the water of life" - Jn 4:13-14
      2. He claims to be "the bread of life" - Jn 6:35
      3. He offers "fullness of joy" - Jn 15:11
      4. He offers "peace"
        1. A peace the world cannot give - Jn 14:27
        2. A peace that overcomes tribulation - Jn 16:33
      5. He offers "abundant life" - Jn 10:10

      [Finally, we note how Jesus claimed to fulfill...]

  5. THE NEED FOR IMMORTALITY
    1. CONCERNING THIS NEED...
      1. History records mankind's search and longing for immortality (e.g., the pyramids)
      2. Today, we express this need through:
        1. Our desire to prolong life
        2. Our fear of death and dying
    2. JESUS CLAIMS TO OFFER IMMORTALITY...
      1. By claiming to one day raise the dead - Jn 5:26-29
      2. By claiming to be "the resurrection and the life" - Jn 11:25-26
CONCLUSION
  1. We have now considered the claims of Jesus...
    1. In relation to deity
    2. In relation to the Messianic hope
    3. In relation to human needs
  2. Whoever would make claims like these cannot be "just" a good man...
    1. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord!
    2. Which do you think Jesus is?

Our next three lessons shall review the evidence John presents in his gospel designed to produce faith in Jesus as Lord