God or Just a Man?

Subtitle: Understanding Jesus’ Dual Nature

INTRODUCTION:

Opening Thought: The question of Jesus’ identity is the most important question humanity has ever faced. If Jesus was just a man, then He’s no different from any historical figure. But if He was God in human flesh, everything changes — everything is different.

Hook Question: I have a question for you: Who do YOU say Jesus is?

Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13, 15–16

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

They gave their answers, essentially answering that he is a prophet…

“Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””

POINT 1: Jesus Was Fully Human

Key Idea: Jesus came as a man, experiencing the full range of human life, to break the curse of sin through His sacrifice.

Scriptural Proof:

Hebrews 2:17 “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.”

Philippians 2:7–8 “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Jesus was born in a humble place, as a human baby. A manger was no place for this Son of God.

Luke 2:10–12

“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.””

Accessible to everyone. The shepherds, considered the outcasts of that day’s society, were the first to receive the news. A stable and manger didn’t intimidate them.

Jesus is for everyone. Jesus isn’t just for the privileged or religious elite; He’s for everyone—rich, poor, clean, unclean, broken, whole.

He had to come as a man, as the second Adam, to undo the curse that the first Adam brought on all of creation in Genesis 3.

He came, was tempted, refused temptation (in all of it’s forms) and came out victorious over everything that we ourselves could not.

Application: Jesus understands human struggles — temptation, pain, grief. He experienced them firsthand.

This is our challenge today: Stop believing that God can’t relate to you. He chose to step into our world to be WITH us.

POINT 2: Jesus Was Fully God

Key Idea: Jesus wasn’t just a good teacher or prophet—He was God in the flesh.

Scriptural Proof:

John 1:1, 14 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God… So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.”

John 10:30 “The Father and I are one.””

Illustration: Imagine light entering a dark room — Jesus was the light piercing through the darkness of a sin-filled world...

We all must understand that God could not just send a man, He had to send His Son, who was able to overcome.

Application: If Jesus is God, He has the authority to forgive sins, transform lives, and rewrite eternities.

Many people, including many other religions, say that Jesus was a prophet or a good man. But Jesus cannot even be a “good man” if He claimed to be gone and lied.

Challenge: Are you living like Jesus is King or just a historical figure?

POINT 3: Why Jesus Had to Be Both

Key Idea: Only someone fully human could take the punishment for humanity’s sin, and only someone fully divine could offer a perfect, sinless sacrifice.

Scriptural Proof:

Romans 5:17–19 “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

In the Old Testament, priests were required to make sacrifices on behalf of the people. They were spotless lambs or other animals that were of the best variety.

Jesus was that lamb for us, but came as a sacrifice greater than the curse that was brought on us that led to the power of sin and death.

Illustration:

Imagine a large, ancient door sealed tightly by a complex lock—one that generations of the world’s greatest minds have attempted to pick but found impossible. This door stands between humanity and the safety, peace, and rest they’ve longed for. Many have tried to break it down, only to fail; some tried to chip away at the frame, but the wall just grew thicker; others tried to climb over, but the barrier extended endlessly above.

Then one day, a man approaches carrying a key unlike any other—an intricate design forged not in earthly furnaces but in the wisdom and authority of Heaven itself. Without hesitation, He steps forward and places the key into the lock. There’s a moment of hushed anticipation before a quiet “click” resounds. With effortless grace, He opens the door that no one else could even begin to unlock.

Jesus is that man with the key. What humanity couldn’t do—achieve reconciliation with God, break the chains of sin, and secure eternal life—He accomplished by His perfect life, death, and resurrection. He didn’t simply force the door open; He had the one and only key that fit the lock of our deepest need. In other words, Jesus did what no one else could do, and in doing so, opened the way for all who trust in Him to pass through into God’s presence.

Application: Jesus' humanity allowed Him to die in our place; His divinity ensured His victory over sin and death.

Challenge: You can't save yourself — only Jesus, fully God and fully man, can.

Eden Kids Christmas Production

CLOSING (questions and quote)

Big Question: Who do YOU say Jesus is?

A quote from C.S. Lewis (one of my favorite authors) | Mere Christianity

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

Bold Invitation: If Jesus is fully God and fully man, the only response is surrender.

If we’re honest, if we can acknowledge His true identity, our response should be one of humble surrender and acknowledging Him as God and King.

Call to Action: Stop living like Jesus is just a good idea — make Him your Savior, your Lord, your EVERYTHING.

Response Time:

Prayer of Salvation: God,

I come to You today, recognizing my need for Your grace. I admit that I am a sinner, and I confess that I have fallen short of Your perfect standard. I know that I cannot save myself, but I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be my Savior.

I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and that He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. I trust in His sacrifice, and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior.

Lord, I turn away from my old ways and ask You to forgive me for all my sins. Cleanse my heart and make me new. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that honors You. Help me to follow You faithfully from this day forward.

Thank You for loving me unconditionally and for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I surrender my life to You and place my hope in Your promises.

In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen."

Final Scripture Blessing: Jude 24–25 “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

Merry Christmas, everyone!