Jesus is God

BEP- Who Is Jesus?  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  1:22:53
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John 3:16 NLT
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Is Jesus just
A great teacher?
A prophet?
A good man?

Could He be more?

If you asked your friends and family to name one of the most influential people in history who also claimed to be God, one name would likely come up the most—Jesus.
When you consider Jesus’ unquestionable impact on history and the radical claim
The claims Jesu made about himself makes it clear:
++Jesus is not a person you can just overlook.
++Every person must have an informed opinion of this Man.

So, who is Jesus?

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In the classic book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis reasoned that those who refuse to believe His claim to be God are left with the option of labeling Him as a lunatic or the devil.
Jesus asked His closest followers

Who people say I am?

People will have an opinion
Matthew 16:13 NLT
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
The disciples responded with far-ranging opinions. But then, in verse 15, Jesus turned the question on them:

Who do you say I am?

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Matthew 16:15 NLT
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Knowing Christ
Is not based upon community revelation
It is a personal
Is just as important today as it was then
Two thousand years later, there may not be a more important question for any of us to answer. Who is Jesus?
Maybe you’ve wondered if Jesus really is who He said He is. Are the historical claims about Him true? Maybe you’ve wondered if Jesus really is God.

Jesus is God

Think about your favorite teachers and coaches.

Who was your all-time favorite, and why?

What were the things you admired most?
A good teacher
Knowledgeable
Prepared
Interesting
Many different traits qualify someone as a good teacher. We might be drawn toward their wisdom, mastery of their subject, and their excitement about learning. Or we might appreciate someone who consistently models excellent character, who knows how to helpus think and learn for ourselves, and who challenges us to become wise. Most of us especially loved the teacher who took time to know us and encouraged us the most. All of these qualities combined would certainly make someone a memorable teacher.

What if a teacher could do more than just teach,instruct, and inspire?

What if a teacher could actually change the state of the world and the hearts of humankind, not just now but forever?

Shouldn’t the whole world want to know such a Teacher?

What is one thing you want everyone in the world to know about Jesus?

Watch

Small Groups

What is one thing you want everyone in the world to know about Jesus?

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Consider What the Bible Says

Read Romans 3:23
Romans 3:23 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
The Bible teaches that
All people have sinned
All people fall short of God’s standard
Everyone is in need of a savior.

What Does John 3:16 tell us?

John 3:16 tells us
God sent His Son to rescue us because He loves us.
Anyone who believes in Jesus can be saved.

Our Christian faith is based on understanding Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ
is the One who paid the price for our sin.
Was uniquely qualified for this task, being God in the flesh.
Made it possible for us to be in a relationship with the Father both now and forever.

What does the Bible say about Jesus?

Jesus Conquered Death

Jesus’ willingness to come to earth and give His own life changes everything for us.
Read John 20:1–9
John 20:1–9 NLT
1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

What did the disciples see that day that surprised them?

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Most world religions have memorable leaders in their history. Some of those leaders claimed to be divine. Followers of many religions can pay respect to their leaders at tombs and grave sites. Christianity alone has a Leader who was fully man and fully God. Christianity alone has a Leader who is resurrected and is no longer in His tomb.
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus’ grave is empty (Matthew 28:6). This had been prophesied in Scripture hundreds of years before Jesus’ resurrection (Psalm 16:10). Many eyewitnesses attested to it (1 Corinthians 15:3–8). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave. Jesus’ miraculous and eternal resurrection is a key to recognizing Him as God the Son.

What impacts you as you think about Jesus conquering death?

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Did You Know?
There’s a good reason the women didn’t prepare Jesus’ body until more than a day after He was placed in a tomb (Luke 24:1). The day after Jesus’ death was the Sabbath. This is the day of the week the Jews rested from work. Sabbath rules regarding labor required that the women wait to prepare the body of Jesus until Sunday morning. After arriving at the tomb, they discovered their preparations would no longer be necessary. Jesus had risen!

Jesus Connects with People

Our God is not just a lifeless statue or only an idea, as some other religious leaders are. He knows us personally and helps us know Him.
Read John 20:19–26
John 20:19–26 NLT
19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

Why didn’t Thomas believe?

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Imagine being in this moment without knowing how everything will turn out. Most of us can relate to Thomas and his reluctance to believe what his friends were telling him. After all, it seemed too incredible to be true—Jesus had appeared to them! Along with the other disciples, Thomas had spent a lot of time with Jesus. He knew Jesus was a natural, living person who slept and ate just like everyone else. He had seen Jesus be crucified. He knew what the outcome of crucifixion was.
How unforgettable this must have been for Thomas to see Jesus for himself! The doors were locked. Suddenly Jesus was in the room with His disciples again. Now Thomas could see for himself: Jesus was real, alive, and approachable.

What might it have felt like to have been in the locked room that day with Thomas and the other disciples?

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In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps each of us understand that the testimonies we read in Scripture are true. The Spirit testifies to us that Jesus is real and with us (1 Corinthians 2: 10–12).

At what time in your life did you feel Jesus connecting with you in a real and personal way?

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We Must Choose to Trust Jesus as Our God

Jesus has done His part to help us believe Him. Now we must do our part.
Read John 20:27–29
John 20:27–29 NLT
27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Thomas had spent three years with Jesus. He traveled with Him, listened to Him, and watched all He did and said. Thomas knew Jesus was a gifted religious teacher and leader. But now he was confronted with the fact that Jesus was much more than a great teacher. Jesus was God, exactly as He had claimed to be. “Doubting” Thomas actually had the honor of being the first of the disciples to recognize Jesus as both Lord and God. In the same way, we must act on the realization that Jesus is God and put our faith in Him.

Why might Jesus have wanted the disciples to see His wounds and scars?

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In verse 29, Jesus challenged Thomas not to be faithless anymore.

How is He challenging you to believe in Him right now?

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Jesus is God

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Since Jesus walked the earth, people have had to decide what to believe about Him. His impact on world history is undeniable. Our world’s historical time line is divided by His birth. Of course, some claim that Jesus was a fraud and a liar, so they reject everything He did and said. Many others try to claim Jesus was a talented and moral teacher whose life is an example to us. Even many who claim to be a Christian want to take the benefits of acknowledging Him without giving much in response.
Because Jesus truly is God, His sacrifice for our sin changes everything. Everyone in the world is broken because of sin and selfishness. Jesus provides the perfect answer to the problem for everyone who will accept Him. Believing in Him, giving our life to Him, and telling others about Him becomes vital. We know God the Father loved everyone so much that He sent His Son so we could live with Him forever.

Listen to God

Let’s pause and listen to what God might want to say to us about what we’ve read and shared. Be silent for a few moments and reflect on the following questions. Respond to the one that most resonates with what God is saying to you now. Then complete the others during Day 1 of your devotion time this week.
Personal Reflection Questions
Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.

Is Jesus just a teacher or good moral example to you, or have you made Him Lord of your life?

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What are some things Jesus has asked of you that you have been slow to obey?

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Sometimes Jesus asks us to do things we do not fully understand.

How does your desire to understand impact your willingness to obey Him?

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Large Group

Activate

If we believe John 3:16is true, then our life and actions ought to reflect that belief. Everyone around us needs to know the solution to our terrible problem of sin—Jesus is the answer.

Challenge

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This week, look for an opportunity to have a significant conversation with a friend, family member, or coworker about Jesus claiming to be God. Sharing our faith is an important part of living out our beliefs. It becomes easier and more natural every time we share. Your story is a beautiful example to those around you. Many would love to hear what Jesus is doing in your life.

Prayer Requests

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Note any requests from the group and remember to pray for them during the week.
Before next time, continue to spend time in God’s Word with the personal devotions.

Closing Prayer

What We Believe
Jesus Is God
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has always existed. He too is without beginning or end (Revelation 1:8). In order to complete His earthly sacrificial mission, He became human by being born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31, 35). He lived a perfect life, absolutely without sin (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22). While on earth Jesus worked many miracles through the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:22; 10:38). In order to restore fallen humankind, He died on the Cross as a substitute for the sins of every person (1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He was raised from the dead by the supernatural power of God (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:4). Since His resurrection, Jesus has been exalted (honored), and is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 1:9–11; 2:33; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 1:3).
The Significance of This Doctrine
The supernatural birth of Jesus, His sinless life, and the miracles He performed all give proof that He is the divine Son of God. He came to earth in human form and gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. No death of a natural human could provide forgiveness of sin and offer salvation for all humanity. Knowing that Jesus came from God, actually is God, and returned to God’s presence after His death and resurrection assures us that our salvation and restored relationship with God is not only logical, but a true reality.
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