The Danger of Easy Answers

Sermon Notes May 28, 2017 Matthew 3:1-3 Introduction: Two Questions (4/23/17) Mark 8:27-33: Two questions we must all consider. How has our culture, tradition, and education conditioned us to think about Jesus? And, who do we say Jesus is? Deity of the Messiah (4/30/17) Psalm 110:1: The Messiah, is greater than David who calls Him ‘Lord.’ And this Lord sits at Yahweh’s right hand: an expression which refers to intimacy and closeness; not two thrones, but the Messiah sharing the throne of God (Rev. 22:1-3). Mark 2::1-12: Jesus forgives sins, offenses against God, which God alone has the right to forgive. John 2:19f, Leviticus 26:11f: God’s dwelling place was His temple; and Jesus said He was the true temple, the place where God “tabernacled” among us (Jn. 1:14) Mark 4:35f (Ps. 107:23f): Jesus commands nature directly, without prayer to God, unlike any prophet or angel, but like God. Son of God and Son of Man (5/7/17) Mark 14:60-65: Jesus declares Himself to be the divine figure of Daniel’s vision (Dan. 7), “the Son of Man,” who comes with clouds of glory – an image applied to no one but God. Worshipping Only the One True God (5/21/17) Exodus 20:1-3: Worship is to be offered only to God; no representative can receive worship; God jealously guards this worship because He loves us. Acts 10:25f, 14:12f, Rev. 19:9: Worship is rejected by men appointed by God, and even by angels; only Satan welcomes worship (Mt. 4:9) Matt. 28:16f, John 20:28: Jesus believed in the first command (Mt. 4:10), yet receives worship which is due to God alone. The Danger of Easy Answers (5/28/17) Matthew 3:1-3: Looking at only a few facts leads to error. There are distinctions between Jesus and the Father. Does this mean Jesus is not God? But Jesus also: receives worship due to God, forgives sins which only God can, commands nature which in the entire Bible only God can, and the titles used only for Yahweh are applied to Jesus. Consider titles applied to both Yahweh and Jesus: Phil. 2:9f and Isaiah 45:21-24; Hebrews 1:10f and Psalm 102:25f; Isaiah 41:4 (44:6, 48:12) with Rev. 21:6 and 22:13. The truth is more mysterious, more beautiful and deeper than simplistic answers allow: Jesus is God in the flesh, the Son of God and the Son of Man.