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Introduction: In our lesson today we will be discussing the nature of Christ as it relates to his being our Co-Creator. In Christ in the Law we began this series with a look at His being a co-creator. Now we will further examine what that suggests and how He might have taught His disciples this fact.

I. As Creator, Christ has power over the creation: As the Creator, all that exists belongs to God. Christ, His son, shares in that creation and in that ownership. Christ demonstrated His authority over nature (Matt. 8:23-27), plant life (Matt. 21:18-20), and even life and death (John 11:41-44). As Co-Creator, He also exercises authority over man (Rom. 9:19-21). It is the obligation of man to submit to that authority or answer to the consequences of his rebellion.

II. As Creator, Christ is all-sufficient: It is a true fact that Christ loves us, guides us through His word, and even died for us. But Christ does not need us. He has never been dependent on us (Ps. 50:7-12). It is rather that we need Him to guide us and save us, something we cannot do for ourselves (Jer. 10:23, Acts 4:10-12).

III. As Creator, Christ cannot be overcome: While it was possible for Christ to have sinned, it would have been by His choice and not that he was overpowered. He cannot be overpowered because, as Creator, His power is greater than Satan (I John 4:4) and greater than man (Matt. 26:53).

Conclusion: Today we can count on the power to overcome Satan and his devices because One who is greater than Satan has provided a plan of escape. Our victory in found in the Co-Creator of the universe, Jesus Christ.

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Introduction: Our lesson today is concerning Christ as our Rock. We were introduced to this concept in lesson seven of Christ in the Law only vaguely. Now we will continue to build on what we have already observed.

I. Christ The Rock: The book of Psalms is permeated with the image of God and Christ as the Rock. This imagery is found in Psalm 18, 28, 31, 78, 95, and many others. In these readings we find some of them linked by the New Testament Scriptures to the Christ (Heb. 2:13, Matt. 13:35, Heb. 3:6-12, etc.).

II. In Psalms The Rock is Linked to Several Characteristics: In Psalms in various locations we find the Rock linked to strength, deliverance, protection, and salvation. It teaches that these things may be obtained through trust in God and obedience to His will. It is in Christ, our Rock, that we find these items in the New Covenant.

III. What The Rock Means to the New Covenant: There is only one rock and that is Christ. It in on the fact that Christ is the son of God that the church was built. It was not built on Peter nor on his confession of Christ, but on the validity of that confession. Jesus is Lord!

Conclusion: Christ is portrayed in today’s lesson as the Rock of our salvation. He provides strength, deliverance, sanctuary, and salvation from Satan and his forces. He is the foundation of our lives and the hope of our future with God in Heaven. Truly Jesus is our redeemer and deliverer according to the Psalms of the Old Scriptures.

Thought Question: What are some of the characteristics of a rock that we might liken unto Christ? Answers: a. Unmovable b. Strong c. Supportive

See if you can think of others which might apply.

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Introduction: Our lesson today is concerning Christ as the anointed one of God. We will be looking at what it means to be anointed. As we consider this lesson, we need to remember we are looking for ways Christ might have taught His disciples about Himself from the Psalms so that we might use the same method and materials to teach others about the Christ.

I. The Purpose of Anointing: There are several words used in the Hebrew and the Greek which are translated ‘anoint’ but they all seem to have a common meaning. The main difference is in intensity. They all mean to pour oil on, or rub cream or lotion on, or bath in some type of ointment. The purposes are varied but the common spiritual meaning is to consecrate or dedicate to a particular purpose.

In scriptural application to anoint means to sanctify or hallow something. (Ex. 40:9-11). Priests could not serve without it (Ex. 40:12-15), utensils were not used without it (Ex. 30:22-38), and improperly performing it meant death (Ex. 30:31-33, 37-38).

II. Christ is God’s anointed: That the Christ would be anointed is prophesied in Psalm 132 and that Jesus is the fulfillment is found by comparing various scriptures such as Ps. 2:1-7 with Acts 4:24-29. Christ was anointed to bring salvation to lost humanity.

III. Christ Anointed by Water and the Spirit: Remembering that anointing is done to the body to consecrate one to a particular mission, one needs only a cursory look at the life of Christ to see that His baptism by John is when he was officially anointed to His mission. As High Priest, He needed to be anointed before serving officially. Immediately after His baptism He began His mission to seek and save the lost.

IV. We, as priests, are anointed in Like Manner: We, like Christ, are required to be anointed to serve as priests in the house of God. One refusing to be baptized has refused the anointing of God and cannot serve in a priestly capacity without certain death. Anointing is tied to the acceptance of truth and the practice of it.

Conclusion: Christ is portrayed in today’s lesson as the anointed of God. He was anointed to bring salvation to the lost. It is through the gospel and His church that He is fulfilling the purpose for which He was set apart.

Thought Question: Everything in the tabernacle had to be anointed before it could be used. Discuss this principle as it relates to the church.

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Introduction: In Christ in the Law we learned about some ways to recognize the Christ. In Christ in Jewish History we filled in much of the background so that we might appreciate the preparatory work of God related to Christ. In our present study we are finding different characteristics concerning Christ and His work.

I. What Being Holy Means: Holy means to be sacred, consecrated, hallowed, or prepared. It is a term closely related to the term ‘anointed’ which we studied last week. The Holy One, therefore, was one consecrated to a particular purpose.

II. Christ the Holy One: Christ, at Pentecost, is presented as the Holy One of God (Acts 2). He had already been proclaimed as such by the devils (Mark 1:21-28) and now Peter was proclaiming such to the nation of Israel. In Scripture we find the Holy One tied to the resurrection (Acts 3:13-18).

III. Anything Related to God Had to be Holy: We learned last week that everything in the tabernacle used in service to God had to first be hallowed by being anointed. This was also true of the tabernacle itself and the priests who served in it. In the law we find the high priest referred to as the Holy One. Christ is our high priest and is the Holy One of the new covenant.

IV. Christ Consecrated to Suffer, Die, and Rise Again (to redeem mankind): Before His death, Christ taught that He must die (Matt. 16:21). After His death He taught His disciples again about this in Luke 24. Christ was the only one worthy enough to complete His mission.

V. We are anointed by the Holy One: In I John 2:20 we are told that the Holy One has anointed us. This means we have been made holy and set aside for a particular purpose. We have been anointed to live in Christ and His truth and our anointing is unto eternal life.

Conclusion: Jesus the Holy One was sent to redeem mankind. His resurrection was proof that He was the Messiah and that He could, at the proper time, raise all in the grave to come before Him in judgment, saving His own and condemning the rest (John 5:28-29).

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Introduction: In Psalm 2 we find the mention of one to be begotten of God as a son. In Hebrews 6:8-10 we find that as a son He learned obedience and by that obedience He became our eternal Savior. The obedience spoken of here is His obedience concerning His crucifixion (Phil. 2:5-8). Our study today will focus on the two times He is begotten and what that means to us today.

I. Christ the First Begotten From the Dead: In the second Psalm we find Christ referred to as the begotten son of God. This reference is pointing to His resurrection. Many in the Bible are referred to as returning from the grave. But only Christ conquered death, never to die again.

II. Christ the Only Begotten Son: The term ‘only begotten’ is used several times in the New Testament. But of all the writers, only John uses this term in relation to Christ. Christ was, of course, begotten by God through the Holy Spirit at His conception (Luke 1:35, John 1:14).

III. Facts Concerning the Begotten One From Psalm 2: From Psalm 2 we find that the begotten one will be defended by God, all people will answer to Him, wise men will serve Him, and wicked ones will be punished by Him.

IV. Facts Concerning the Begotten One from Heb. 1: In Hebrews 1 we find that the Son is appointed heir of all things by God, He shows forth the Father in Himself, He is deserving of worship, and that His kingdom is eternal. Christ is truly the begotten one of God.

Conclusion: Christ was begotten of God twice, once at His birth and once at His resurrection. His victory over the grave (never to return there) made Him unique among all that were raised from the dead in the Holy record. This uniqueness proved Him to be the Messiah sent from God.

Thought Question: In I Cor. 4:15 and I John 5:1, 18 we find we are begotten of God. As the begotten of God, what are our rights? Our responsibilities?

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Introduction: In Psalm 118 we read of the rejected cornerstone. Our lesson today will see how this relates to the Christ.

I. Christ the Cornerstone: In our reading today we find the prophesy of the rejected cornerstone. This passage refers to the Christ which is seen from texts such as Matt. 21:42 and Acts 4:11.

II. Christ the Cornerstone (Established by God): In Psalm 118:26 we read of one being honored for coming in the name of the Lord. The people recognized this to be in reference to Christ and demonstrated so by their actions in Luke 19:37-38. Christ also alluded to this text in Luke 13:34-35. It was a special day when Christ was officially established by God as the Chief Corner (Psalm 118:24) and demonstrated He was truly chosen by God.

III. The Picture of God’s House: In the house of God we find that we, the lively stones, are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and that all is tied to Christ, the chief cornerstone. We also find that Christ, the chief corner, was set by God and, as such, no one can set Him aside and please God.

IV. Facts Concerning the Cornerstone: Everything in construction had to be tied to the cornerstone to be structurally sound. In our figure of Christ as the cornerstone, we find that God’s house is superior to all others. We also find that the cornerstone will destroy all of its enemies, establish the universal house of God, and bring salvation to the righteous.

Conclusion: It is the Christ to whom every Christian is tied to and it is His person that holds everything together. Christ would have shown from this Scripture (Psalm 118) His rejection by the builders, His acceptance by God, and His universal mission to a lost world.

Thought Question: What will be God’s response to one who is not properly tied to the cornerstone?

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Introduction: Our lesson today is taken from Psalm 22. It is one of the most detailed of all the accounts of the crucifixion that is found in the Bible. The amazing thing is that it was written about 1000 years before those events took place.

I. Christ Forsaken on our Behalf: In Matthew 27 we find one of the New Testament accounts of the crucifixion. In that account we find that, from the sixth until the ninth hours, darkness was on the earth. During this time Christ cried out in anguish, quoting from Psalm 22 that He was forsaken.

II. Christ Forsaken on our Behalf: Isaiah teaches us that sin separates us from God. Once that happens, we have no way to reunite with God unless we receive divine help. Christ was that divine help in that He bore the guilt of my sins for me (Gal. 3:13-14).

III. Christ Forsaken on the Cross - Psalm 22: Christ quotes the beginning of the 22nd Psalm to tie it to Himself. In that Psalm we find several direct quotations from the events of the crucifixion. We also find several indirect references to the events of the crucifixion. So accurate are they that one would almost believe David was standing at the foot of the cross when he penned that Psalm in the long ago.

Conclusion: It was total separation from God that mankind faced because of sin. Without divine intervention we were doomed and without hope. But Christ came to the world to rescue us from sin and took our place, being separated from God for us. It is amazing that the Christ was so pure and holy that He, in three hours, could pay the debt that all of mankind separated from God for all eternity cold not pay. What a marvelous Savior is the Christ!

Thought Question: The term vinegar is used in the new testament several times in reference to what Christ was offered as a drink on the cross. What was it, and why do you suppose He refused to drink it?

9Read Matt. 27:34, 48, Mark 15:23, 36, Luke 23:36, John 19:28-30, and Numbers 6.)

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Introduction: In Psalm 110 we find that the Lord is on the right hand of God. We will see that this passage is in reference to Christ and what this means to us.

I. Historically, The Right Hand Was The Greatest Blessing: In the story of the blessing of Joseph’s sons by Jacob we find this was a general philosophy of the Ancients.

II. Psalm 110:1 Refers to Christ: It was a generally accepted view that this passage referred to the Christ (Luke 20:41-44). That it is in reference to Jesus is affirmed by Jesus, Peter, and others (Matt. 22:41-46, Acts 2:32-36, Mark 16:19).

III. Historically, Christ, God’s Right Hand, Led The People: Christ is pictured in I Cor. 10 as being the leader of Israel out of bondage. In Ex. 15:6 we find they are led by the right hand of God. It was the Christ that God used as His "right hand" of power.

IV. At God’s Right Hand Means Christ Has Power: This declaration of power in reference to being at God’s right hand is made by Paul in I Cor. 15:25-28. Christ’s power was foreordained in Daniel, claimed by Christ, and affirmed by Peter at Pentecost.

V. God’s Right Hand Is: At God’s right hand is a place of power, authority, and joy. It is also the choicest location for Christ to carry out His role as intercessor. He does not have to seek the Father or even seek an audience with the Father to plead for us for He is always in His presence on our behalf.

VI. God’s Right Hand Will: God’s right hand is referred to numerous times in the Psalms. A few of them show that His right hand will find out His enemies (Psalm 21:8), uphold (Psalm 63:8), render judgment (Psalm 59:13-14), save (Psalm 138:7, and lead (Psalm 139:10). We find all of these to be qualities found in the Christ.

Conclusion: Through a proper understanding of Psalm 110 the disciples of Christ would have understood his deity, authority, and majesty. This position would have comforted and assured them that the Christ was truly in a position to serve as our advocate before the true and living God. As His disciples today, we should feel that same comfort in our lives as we live and trust in Jesus the Christ.

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Introduction: In Scripture, Christ is presented in many relationships to the church. He is the redeemer, savior, head, husband, and so on. Today we will look at His relationship as father. As we do so, we will be looking for the lessons He might have presented to His disciples.

I. Christ, God’s Firstborn, Is Above All: In previous lessons we have learned that Christ is the firstborn of God. In Psalm 89:27 we find that God’s firstborn is above all.

II. Christ, God’s Firstborn To Have Eternal Covenant: We also learn in the 89th Psalm that an eternal covenant will be established with the Christ. That covenant is relative to Christ and His church (Dan. 2:44)

.III. Christ, God’s Firstborn, To Have Seed That Endures Forever: The Scriptures teach that eternal life is the gift of God to those that are Christians (John 3:16). As the seed of Christ, i.e. as His posterity, we have a hope that is eternal.

IV. Christ A Spiritual Father: Isaiah prophesies concerning the Christ that He would be called the everlasting Father. In the New Testament we find that He is the head of the church. The church is called by many descriptive terms, some of which represent the church as Christ’s house. Christians belong to Christ, given to Him by the Father in heaven. It was also through Christ that the disciples could truly see the Father (John 14:8-9).

V. Through Christ We Have Eternal Life: Eternal life is a gift of God. But that gift would have never been given if it were not for the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. It is through the son of God that access to God’s gift of life was made available (John 3:16).

Conclusion: We are born again by the Word of God (I Pet. 1:23). From the lesson today we learn that those belonging to Christ have eternal life. Then, whenever time is ushered out and eternity stands alone, Christ will render u the kingdom to His Father and all the redeemed will glorify the Father and the Son forever and forever.

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Introduction: Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to execute the will of the Father. The life He led, the things He taught, the thoughts He had, were all in accord with the will of the Father. At the baptism of Jesus and again at His translation on the mount we find the Father expressly commending the son for His conduct. Today we will look at Psalm 40 as it discusses this characteristic of the Christ.

I. Christ Came To Earth to Do God’s Will: It is emphatically stated that Christ came to do the will of God. Nothing He ever did violated that will and because of this total purity, Christ was able to be the perfect sacrifice to complete God’s plan. Not only did he follow God’s will, He taught others to pray to that end (Matt. 6:9-13) and He also prayed in the same manner (Matt. 26:39-42)

II. God’s Will Was the Establishment of A New Covenant: God’s plan for a new covenant was in His mind even before the creation of the earth (Eph. 1). His covenant with Israel which He gave to them through Moses was designed only to bring the world to the Christ (Ga. 3:24). When this was accomplished, the old law was taken out of the way (Col. 2:9-15)

.III. The New Covenant Had Several Changes: The new covenant was brought into being by the death of Christ (Heb. 9:15-17). In this new covenant we find several changes from the old covenant made with Moses. First, there is a change of the priesthood. We have a permanent high priest. Under the old covenant the high priest had to be regularly replaced at his death. Also in the new covenant all faithful believers are priests. This office was only to the house of Aaron in the old law. Second, we have a change in the sacrifice. Christ made a sacrifice once-for-all while under the old law this practice had to be followed continually. Also under the old law the priests offered dead sacrifices. Under the new law the priests (Christians) offer living sacrifices to God. Third, there was a difference in the way sin was handled. Under the old law there was a "remembrance" made continually while under the new sin is remembered no more. There was also a change made in the membership of the two covenants. The first was nationalistic, the second is universal. Any one of any nation who fears God and obeys Him may be a member of the covenant of Christ

Conclusion: There were other changes in the new covenant (law, location, etc.) but the one thing Christ would have clearly taught from this passage is that the changes were made by the will of God and brought about by His obedience to the Father (Phil. 2:5-8. The change from the old to the new was not the will of man but the will of God (II Pet. 1:16-21).

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Introduction: Many today will not accept the change Christ made in the law because they claim that God never changes. WE are today going to study what the prophet David and others teach concerning the unchangeable nature of Christ.

I. Christ’s Nature to be Unchangeable: In Psalm 102:25-27 we find the record of the eternal characteristic of God. In Hebrews 1:10-12 the writer refers this passage to the Christ. From this we are made to understand that Christ is co-creator and, as such, He is eternal. In this way Christ is unchangeable.

II. Other Ways in Which Christ Does Not Change: It has always been the case that Christ hates evil and loves good. His entire existence on earth demonstrated this fact. Psalm 45:6-7 taught about this characteristic and Heb. 1:8-9 linked it to Jesus. In accord with this, we find that Christ always honored the Father in all that He did. He came to do God’s will and so He did. This is the right and good thing to do and He set for His disciples an example of total commitment to God.

.III. What Christ’s Unchangeable Nature Does not mean: While His nature will never change, it is not unreasonable to understand that His actions, laws, and relationships may change to carry out the goals or desires created by His unchangeable characteristics.

IV. Some Things Which Have Changed: Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, the relationship God had with man changed. It was necessary to bring about a change in the nature of man in order to repair the division caused by sin. This was accomplished by changes in God’s law brought about by the sacrifice of Christ. Without a way for man to be cleansed from sin, he would never be able to return to God. Christ made that cleansing possible.

Conclusion: There is much Christ would have taught His disciples concerning His nature. He has always hated evil and loved righteousness. He is eternal and He is the creator, therefore all that He ever did was good. Man’s relationship to Him and the Father changed because of sin. The final law, the law of Christ, was implemented so that man could be cleansed from sin and again be good in the sight of God so that our relationship (God and man) could be re-established. That took a change of character - not God’s unchangeable character but the character of man.

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Introduction: In Heb. 2:13 the writer links the statement, "I will put my trust in Him" to the Christ and His feelings towards God. This passage appears numerous times in the Psalms symbolizing both the trust David had in God and the trust that Jesus would have in God as He carried out His mission on the earth.

I. Trust Brought Christ To Earth: Phil. 2:5-8 tells us that while Christ was part of the trinity, He willingly gave up His immortality and took on the mortality, coming to earth to live among men. He did this as an act of trust and obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus knew that the Father would be with Him throughout His mission as He went about to seek and save the lost.

II. Trust Led Christ while On Earth: In Matthew we find that Jesus was fully aware of why He was here. His life was to end through an atoning sacrifice for lost humanity. Me discussed this with His disciples before His death (Matt. 16:21-23) and after His resurrection (Luke 24:44-48). Some years later Peter refers to this and states that Christ committed Himself to the Father, an obvious reference to the ongoing trust Christ had as He completed His Father’s mission.

.III. Trust Led Christ to Calvary: David spoke as a prophet in Psalm 16 concerning Christ and that statement is repeated by Peter on Pentecost. The statement found in Acts 2:25-28 is a declaration of Christ’s trust in the Father concerning His resurrection from the grave.

IV. Trust Was Rewarded By Deliverance and Exaltation: In Daniel we find a prophecy concerning the exaltation of Christ. This prophesy began to be fulfilled at His resurrection, was further fulfilled at His ascension, and still further fulfilled at Pentecost. Its ultimate fulfillment will come at the judgment when the enemies of Christ will bow before Him (I Cor. 15:25, Dan. 7:13-14, Phil. 2:9-11).

Conclusion: Just as Jesus would have taught about His great trust in the Father, so also He would have stressed that His resurrection justified that trust. As He prepared His disciples to enter into a hostile world with the message of the gospel, He would also have stressed their need to have the same kind of trust as they faced persecution, rejection, and even death for His cause. Today, as the Disciples of Christ, we need to have that same uncompromising trust in God in our lives that He had in His.

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