Isaiah. 9:6 by Samuel E. Ward December 18, 25, 2011 (Isa 9:6 NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Last week we considered that Jesus is the "Wonderful Counselor" promised by God in Isaiah 9:6. This morning we observe in the same text that Jesus is also "Mighty God." We will be reminded that above everything else we know about Him, it is important that we understand that He is God and relate to Him is that way. We begin with the question, "Does the Bible teach that Jesus is God?" I. Is Jesus God? This seems like a simple question with an obvious answer. Judge for yourselves from these two passages. (Col 2:9 NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, (Heb 1:3 NIV) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. That being said, there are still many people who doubt that Jesus is really God. Why would someone deny that Jesus is God? Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, deny Jesus' deity. They claim He is god-like or divine, but not fully God. In fact, they go so far as to say He is "a" mighty God, but not Almighty God. Other people claim that Jesus and Satan are brothers. So, let's look at several Scriptures. What do they say about Christ's deity? A. His Names Prove It. Remember, in the Bible a person's name often described his character or being. We see that Jesus has the same names that God has. 1. He claims the Name, "Son of God." If God had DNA, it would be the same as His Father. (John 5:25-26 NIV) I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. {26} For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. (John 5:18 NIV) For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. 2. He claims the Name, "I Am." a. "I Am" is the personal name of God (Exo 3:13-14 NIV) Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" {14} God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" b. "I Am" is the eternal quality He applied to Himself (John 8:54-59 NIV) Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. {55} Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. {56} Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." {57} "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" {58} "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" {59} At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. c. "I Am" had the power to strike disabling awe when spoken by Jesus. (John 18:4-6 NIV) Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" {5} "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) {6} When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. d. "I Am" introduces several divine qualities or abilities that uniquely belong to God 1) Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48) 2) Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5) 3) Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7, 9) 4) Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) 5) Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) 6) The Way, Truth, and Life (John 14:6) 7) True Vine (John 15:1) e. Jesus claimed to be God. (John 5:17-18 NIV) Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." {18} For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord of all. (C.S. Lewis) 3. Other NT Scriptures make the claim that Jesus is God. (in passages other than Isa. 9:6) (Heb 1:1-3 NIV) In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, {2} but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. {3} The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Heb 1:8 NIV) But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 4. Jesus accepted the praise as God (John 20:27-29 NIV) Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." {28} Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 5. The One Who shall return to earth to bring hope to the world is said to be God. (Titus 2:12-14 NIV) It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, {13} while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, {14} who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Mat 24:29-31 NIV) "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' {30} "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. {31} And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. B. His Attributes Prove It. His attributes prove He is God because He has the same attributes God has. 1. Jesus is eternal. (John 1:1 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. Jesus is all-knowing. (John 2:24-25 NIV) But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. {25} He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. 3. Jesus is all-powerful. (Col 1:15-17 NIV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. {17} He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 4. Jesus is everywhere present. (Mat 28:19-20 NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 5. Jesus is worshiped. a. We know that only God is to be worshipped. (Exo 20:3-5 NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me. {4} "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. {5} You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (Deu 6:13 NIV) Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. (Isa 42:8 NIV) "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. b. There are at least 5 occasions in the Gospels where Jesus is worshiped. 1) The Wise Men, " . . . they bowed down and worshiped him . . ."(Mt. 2:11) 2) The disciples in the boat , "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'" (Mat 14:33) 3) The blind man healed, "Then the man said, 'Lord, I believe,' and he worshiped him." (John 9:38) 4) The women at the tomb, "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,"' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him." (Mat 28:9) 5) The disciples at His ascension, "Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." (Luke. 24:52) c. God demands Jesus be worshiped Jesus is to be worshipped because Jesus is God! His names and His attributes prove it. II. What Kind Of God Is He?
A. He is a Holy God. (Acts 3:14 NIV) You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. B. He is a Glorious God. (Heb 1:3 NIV) The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. C. He is a Royal God. (Heb 1:8 NIV) But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. D. He is a Saving God. (Titus 2:13 NIV) while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. HE IS A MIGHTY GOD! (Isa 9:6b NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God . . . |
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Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jesus, Mighty God
