A Note from Michael Gossett
Understanding the Truth of Jesus
I love our vision statement for our church: “Transforming lives with the truth of Jesus.” What is the truth of Jesus? Who is Jesus, really? In our southern Bible culture, many people have heard about Jesus and could even tell you something about Jesus, but the question remains: do they know the truth of Jesus? In 1 John 1:1-4, John helps us understand three crucial aspects of Jesus’ reality:
- Jesus is real eternally - John says that Jesus, the Word of Life, has always existed. Jesus is not merely a historical figure—He is eternal. He existed before time and will continue to exist forever. Jesus Himself declared in John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I am.”
The eternal nature of Christ serves as the starting point of knowing Jesus and understanding our hope in Jesus. Thomas Watson once wrote, “Christ is called the ‘Ancient of Days,’ for He was before all time; by Him all things were created. Let us adore Him as the eternal God, who was from everlasting to everlasting.” This eternal nature is what gives Jesus the authority to be our Savior and our everlasting hope.
Jesus’ eternal existence is also emphasized by John when he says, “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life” (1 John 1:1). John is not speaking of an abstract idea—he is referring to Jesus as the eternal Word, who became flesh and lived among us. There has never been a time that Jesus was not in existence, and there will never be a time that Jesus will not exist.
- Jesus is real historically - Jesus was not only divine but also human. John emphasizes that he and others touched Him, saw Him, and heard Him. Jesus felt pain, got tired, and experienced hunger. He was fully human and fully divine—a mystery that allows us to connect with Him on a personal level.
John emphasizes this humanity when he writes, “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life” (1 John 1:1). This physical, tangible reality of Jesus was crucial for the early church and remains crucial for us today. It is impossible to understand anything about Christianity until you first discover and accept the reality of who Jesus really is. The Chalcedonian definition gives an excellent description of this hypostatic union of Christ, which has two distinct natures united in one person, which is absolutely necessary for salvation. As Puritan John Flavel once said, “Christ took our nature upon Him, that He might take our sins upon Him.”
- Jesus is real personally - John’s testimony is more than an abstract belief. He knew Jesus personally, and this relationship transformed his life. Jesus invites each of us to know Him in this same intimate way—not as a distant figure, but as someone who wants to walk alongside us every day. Christianity is not about rules or rituals—it’s about a real relationship with Jesus.
The Puritans often spoke of the personal relationship that believers can have with Jesus. John Owen wrote, “A man may love Christ as beautiful, and yet not love him as a friend.” The call of Christianity is to love Jesus personally, as a friend and Savior, not merely admire Him from afar. This is what John meant when he spoke of the Word of Life that he had seen, heard, and touched—Jesus is someone we can know intimately.
John writes in 1 John 1:2, “That life was revealed, and we have seen it, and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.” This life was not just a theological concept—it was a person, Jesus Christ, who could be known personally. Christianity is completely different from other world philosophies and religions because of the reality of Jesus. It is not about keeping a code or abiding by a creed, but about knowing Jesus personally.
In Philippians 3:10, Paul says, “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection.” This is the heartbeat of the Christian life—a personal, deep relationship with Jesus. As Puritan Thomas Brooks once said, “It is the greatest and sweetest comfort that we can have in this life, to have sweet fellowship and communion with Jesus Christ.” Knowing Jesus personally transforms our lives and fills us with a joy that nothing else can provide. If you know about Jesus but have never known Him personally, I invite you to take a step closer. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. When we embrace Jesus as real—eternally, historically, and personally—our faith becomes alive and active. The real Jesus changes everything. This is the truth of Jesus that truly transforms.
Questions to Consider
- Do you know Jesus as the eternal God, or do you think of Him only as a historical figure?
- How does the reality of Jesus’ humanity comfort you in your current struggles?
- What does it mean for you to know Jesus personally, beyond simply knowing about Him?
- Are there areas of your life where you need to invite Jesus to walk more closely with you?
- How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus today?
A Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for being real—eternally, historically, and personally. Thank you for stepping into my world and experiencing the struggles and joys of humanity. Help me to know you not just as a distant figure but as my savior and friend. Open my heart to understand more of who you are as revealed to me in your Word through the power of your Spirit. Help me walk with you every day. May my relationship with you grow deeper and transform every aspect of my life. In your name, I pray. Amen.
I want to invite you to join my wife, Katie, and me on a journey of a lifetime. We are going back to visit the sites primarily focused on Paul’s second missionary journey, October 26-November 4th, 2025. I have mentioned these sites in my sermons from Philippians because it was on Paul’s second missionary journey that the Lord brought him to Philippi. However, there is much more on this trip! Here is the itinerary of all the places we have planned to visit. This is certainly a trip that will help the Bible, and the Apostle Paul come to life!
Come and join us on this incredible trip! You can sign up here! Space is limited, so please sign up as early as possible. More information here
Next Sunday, November 17, Missions is hosting a Fall Food Drive on our campus! You can participate by bringing canned tuna, canned chicken, dried pasta, and peanut butter to church and parking in Green Acres designated parking. Place your bag of canned food donations directly behind your vehicle, and we will come pick it up!
Our Recreation Ministry has an outreach Pickleball Tournament next Sunday from 2-5pm at Pollard Park. Winners will receive a prize! The goal of this event is to connect people to the church and share the gospel. If you would like to play or know someone who would, register HERE!
We are one week into our World Mission Offering! Learn more about how you can serve or give at gabc.org/missions.
On November 24th, Green Acres Counseling is hosting a one evening seminar providing tools for dealing with grief during the holidays. If your family has experienced loss, this is a great resource for you.
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett