The Word Became Flesh: Jesus Is God
The Bible message: "Jesus is God", is profound, revolutionary, and glorious. In this message, we will explore this amazing revelation.
Revelation 5 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
Sermon Discussion Questions:
How is the phrase "Jesus is God" proven is Scripture?
What are the Implications of this truth?
Evidence:
John 1:1; John 20:27-31
Passages that speak of Jesus as God
Romans 9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
2 Peter 1:1 To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 1:8-9 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Philippians 2:5-6 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Colossians 2:9-10 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Divine Attributes ascribed to Jesus
Holy, Just/Righteous…Acts 3:14
Wrath…Revelation 6:16
Truth…John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Omnipotence…Philippians 3:21
Omnipresence…Ephesians 1:23
Immutability…Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Omniscience…Mark 2:8 John 1:48; 4:18; 21:18; Colossians 2:3
Divine Rule
“Christ exercises unrivaled dominion over all things.” , Wellum
Christ rules as “Lord”…Romans 14:9
Christ sits on God’s throne and judges
2 Corinthians 5:10
Revelation 22:1
Colossians 3:1
“He who shares God’s throne must be equal with God.” Wellum
He forgives sins
Divine Worship
NT Careful NOT to worship men: Acts 14…or angels: Revelation 19:10
Matthew 14:33
Matthew 28:9
John 20:28
Revelation 5:11-14
John 14:1
He Rose from the Dead
Romans 1:3-4
Why did Jesus not say it more often?
Dangerous
John 5:16-18; John 10:30-33,36
Matthew 26:63-65 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.
Care to Preserve Trinitarian Distinction in the Work of Redemption:
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Ephesians 1:3, 17
Revelations 1:6
“The New Testament repeatedly distinguishes the Father, Son, and Spirit, while also affirming the full equality of each of the divine persons. That is why, in the salutations of many New Testament letters, “God” is distinguished from “the Lord Jesus.” As a result of this distinction, Theos (God) virtually becomes a proper name for God the Father. Thus if Theos was used in reference to the Son as His proper name as well, linguistic ambiguity would emerge. For example, how could one make sense of 2 Corinthians 5:19 if it read, “God was in God, reconciling the world to Himself?” In order to the preserve distinctions within God, Theos predominantly denotes the Father and not the Son.” Wellum
“In addition to preserving Trinitarian relations, the New Testament also want to preserve the fact that Jesus is God the Son incarnate. If “God” had become a personal name for Christ, interchangeable with “Jesus,” it is not hard to imagine that the humanity of Christ could have been diminished.” Wellum
Implications:
End of Discussion/ Case Closed
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
“On the one side clear, definite moral teaching. On the other, claims which, if not true, are those of a megalomaniac, compared with whom Hitler was the most sane and humble of men. There is no half-way house and there is no parallel in other religions. If you had gone to Buddha and asked him “Are you the son of Bramah?” he would have said, “My son, you are still in the vale of illusion.” If you had gone to Socrates and asked, “Are you Zeus?” he would have laughed at you. If you had gone to Mohammed and asked, “Are you Allah?” he would first have rent his clothes and then cut your head off. If you had asked Confucius, “Are you Heaven?” I think he would have probably replied, “Remarks which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste.”
The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question. In my opinion, the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man. If you think you are a poached egg, when you are looking for a piece of toast to suit you, you may be sane, but if you think you are God, there is no chance for you. We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher. He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him. He produced mainly three effects—Hatred—Terror—Adoration. There was no trace of people expressing mild approval.
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