Deity of Christ

SC25 Session 4

What is truth? There is a difference between objective and subjective right? Ice cream vs math.

Josh walked us through how we have one God but in three parts the trinity. We covered that Jesus (God the Son), God the Father, and God the Spirit are separate but equal in divinty.

For those in our Sunday School, several weeks ago we covered that Jesus was fully man. How do we know that he was fully man?

We know that because he was tired, hungry, grew in wisdom and stature, etc.

Romans 5:18–19 “18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

There was a better Adam, a second Adam that came and through this one man many will be made righteous.

We are going to study today why the deity of Christ is essential for us to believe.

Let’s start with the word Deity. From the latin word deus, it means Him whom we call God. A name for a supreme being. A god or goddess.

What is a god?

God- one of several deities, especially a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs.

an image of a deity; an idol.

any deified person or object.

a nebulous powerful force imagined to be responsible for one's fate.

Those are good definition of god but I think the “idol” is a good summary of what people believe in.

Everyone in the world believes in some sort of deity. Those who claim that they don’t would call themselves Atheists and they essentially say that they are their god, their higher power.

So deity is a supreme being. So if Jesus was a man, was a deity?

After all Philippians tells us,

Philippians 2:6–7 “6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

So Jesus emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, he clearly gave up his deity?

NO!

Tomrrow morning I will discuss why not only is this not true, it cannot be true or our faith was in vain.

But tonight lets discuss the Deity, the Supreme Being of Christ.

I’m goign to give you the summary statement first,

“Jesus is equal to and identical with God. Performing works that only God can do. All persons of the trinity are fully God, equally worth of worship.”

To get to this end we have three points that prove to us Jesus is God.

Jesus is God and these three points will help prove that this is true.

Jesus claims to be.

We know Jesus is a truth-teller. We could end right here—he said he was God, so he’s God. But let’s peel the layer of the onion back a little bit.

Is every statement someone says about themselves always true?

No. Let me give you an example. Who is the greatest basketball player of all time?

Let’s ask Lebron,

“LeBron relented. "Listen big fella, me personally, I'm going to take myself against anybody that's ever played this game," James said. "But everyone's going to have their favorite. But I know what I've brought to the table ... and what I can do out on this floor. I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game, but there are so many other great ones, and I'm happy to just be a part of their journey."

So he think he is.

Here is what Kobe said,

“OK, fine,” he said. “I’m the best, Michael is second-best, LeBron is third-best.””

Some would say Michael Jordan, others Kareem, Bill Russell, etc.

So quick grammer lesson—GREATEST means greatest, best, top, best of the best. You can only have one. So how can two people both claim to be the best? One of them, or both of them is wrong.

But Jesus words are true. And he claims to be God because he is God.

John 1:1 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 17:17 “17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

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

John 14:9 “9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

You know about my father—great, I am HE. You worship and adore the Father, I am equal with him. If you have seen me you have seen my father because we are one in the same.

And these statements are in the face of the Jews who would kill for this claim. Actually look at John 10.

John 10:31–33 “31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” 33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.””

They were going to stone him because he claimed to be God.

But what else was he supposed to say—he was God! So Jesus claims to be God.

2) Jesus is called God.

Kyrios (κύριος (kyrios). n. masc. lord, master, Lord. The noun conveys the idea of someone who is in a position of authority.)

“In the Septuagint, it is the usual Hebrew translation not only of אָדוֹן (ʾādôn, “lord”) but also of יהוה (yhwh, “Yahweh”). In accordance with the Septuagint usage, the nt also uses kyrios to refer to Israel’s God, Yahweh, especially in nt quotations of the Septuagint (e.g., Matt 3:3; 4:7; Mark 12:11; 12:29; Luke 1:9)”

We see this correlation in New Testament quotes of Old Testament passages. We look at how they translated it to connect the Greek and the Hebrew.

Matthew 3:3 “3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ””

Isaiah 40:3 “3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

The way of the Lord—Kyrios being the NT word for LORD, in the verses being quoted, Isaiah 40:3, Lord is YAHWEH in the Greek

Yahweh is the name for God in the Hebrew of the OT. We see this most vivdly in Exodus 3

Exodus 3:13–14 “13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ””

The God of Israel, the God of the people, YAHWEH.

The Greek word for that is Kyrios

lord, master, Lord.

Like most Greek words it has different meanings based on the context all having to do with authority and power. It is used for a slavemaster or even husband. But most often it is used for Jesus—the LORD

Acts 10:36 “36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),”

Romans 10:9 “9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 12:3 “3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 2:11 “11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

When we see the use of god not referring to the true god its a different word:

Acts 7:40 “40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’”

This is the word theos which is the Hebrew word elah (god). So Theos is a name for god that is used but the word Kyrios is Yahweh.

There is a distinction between theos/elah (god) and kyrios/yahweh (LORD)

God of the bible, of the people of Israel. That is Jesus.

It is significant they would use this word because they are clearly stating not just that Jesus is a higher being, a prophet, a king, etc. He is not just a god, he is THE God. The one true God.

Remember what the Jews were waiting for—they were longing for this coming Messiah. So was he just a good man? Was he a great prophet? Islam says he is the greatest of the prophets.

What does America say about Jesus?

Here is an article from 10 years ago:

Jesus was a real person. 92% of people believe that he actually lived.

56% of people believe Jesus was/is God.

52% of people believe that while Jesus lived on earth he was human and committed sins like other people.

So most people believe Jesus was real, but was he God? And was he sinless?

Time and time again Jesus is called God. He is God.

3) Jesus did things only God can do. There are three examples that come to mind about things Jesus did that only God can do.

a) Creator. Jesus is creator and sustainer of all things.

Colossians 1:15–20 “15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Image=eikon=likeness, copy, icon.

Has anyone ever been called a mini version of one of your parents? Perhaps you have the likeness or image of them? Maybe you act like them, talk like them, etc.

You are similar to them, but there are clear differences.

This is much more than that. The word eikon actually means exact likeness.

Hebrews 1:3 “3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

He is the EXACT image. An icon is something that represents something.

When you see these icons—what are they? You know exactly what they are. I dont need to say anything or give an clues, you just know

(APPLE, GOOGLE, OLYMPICS, etc)

They are strong icons, image bearers, you immediately connect of that is that.

Jesus is the ICON of the father—exact imprint and likeness. And by him ALL things were created. Doesn't matter if its in heaven or earth, visible or invisible, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING are made by, created through Him and for Him.

He is fully God in every way

Colossians 2:9 “9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,”

Colossians tells us he is firstborn of all creation—that doesn’t mean first thing ever born but rather ranks higher than all things. He is before and above all things, numero uno.

Hebrews continues this thought.

Hebrews 1:1–4 “1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

God now speaks through his Son, Jesus—who is heir of all things, has created all thnigs, upholds all things. He makes purification for sins and then sits at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus created all things and only God can do that.

b) Judge.

Jesus is the judge a role only God can play.

John 5:22 “22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,”

2 Corinthians 5:10 “10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Judgement seat metaphorically refers to the place where the Lord will evaluate believers.

Its the word bema. This is the same word or idea of an olympic champion. When they win they go where? On a podium—above everyone else, they are the elite, the best of the best above everyone else. So this is the place of which Jesus judges, from the judgement seat.

And we all must appear before it and so we can be paid for which we have done.

Jesus judges and only God can do that.

C) Savior. This may seem self-explanatory or simple but only God can save.

If Jesus is truly the Savior, Redeemer, one who makes us right, he had to be God.

Psalm 146:3–6 “3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;”

Matthew 1:21 “21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.””

This is not just saying that there would be someone that comes to make it right. But that JESUS is the one who came to make it right. God—Immanuel, God with us, made it right.

Titus 2:11–13 “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He made all things right. He brought salvation for all people—for all types of people. And in the name of Jesus we can be saved.

Philippians 3:20 “20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

2 Timothy 1:10 “10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”

2 Peter 1:11 “11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Abolished death and brought life. He rendered it inoperative. Death still comes to all of us. But that death not longer is an enemy to believers. What was the result of death, why is it so feared? Why are you scared of death? Its the end, no more, no more family, no more kids, no more work, no more joys of life. It is all over. No second chances.

But in Christ, he abolishes death, it loses its grip and power. Because now what does death bring? What use to bring pain and suffering and hurt and finality, conclusion, the end. Now? Life. Life with him forever. Now the pain is gone, the sickness is over, the hurt is done away, the tears are dried up and we instead are face to face with the king.

TIme and time again we see that Jesus is our Savior, the one who makes it right, the one who redeems us, purifies us, makes us right, washes away our sin.

What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

And that blood had to be a man but that man had to also be God. The Godman was killed, crucified so that there is hope within the blood.

Jesus is our Savior and and Jesus is God.