Sermon Notes: Life and Teaching – Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

1 Timothy 4:16 (CSB) 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

What we believe matters. What we believe works itself out in our daily lives.

If the whole church is going to be the missionary, then we have to represent God in truth in the public square. Among the good things necessary to be effective in the public square, thinking rightly and speaking rightly about who Jesus is, is vital.

It’s not an overstatement to say that the entire Christian faith rests on the truth and validity of Jesus’ person and work. Who he is and what he accomplished are everything.

Also, what we believe about Jesus matters because we have a fundamental challenge in the public square when it comes to answering the question of who Jesus is. Paul states it clearly in 2 Corinthians 4.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (CSB) 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Lord.

We are to proclaim in the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus is LORD!

Central to the gospel of the kingdom is who Jesus is as the God Man.

Proclaiming the truth of Jesus shines a divine laser into hearts to break down blindness and give the knowledge of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus.

NOTE: Exodus 33:18-23 is what we should remember here in Paul’s words when we read about God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus. Moses wants to see God’s glory, and God tells him that humans in their current state can’t see God’s face and live. So, God passes by, covers Moses up with his hand, removes his hand, and lets Moses glimpse his back. There is a fundamental statement here about who Jesus is when God’s glory is seen when we look at Jesus. Paul is telling folks that Jesus is Lord, God, King, Creator, and the Key to knowing who God is.

So, it should be no surprise that supernatural forces are at work in the world to keep people under the curse of sin, and part of that curse is being blind to a saving knowledge of and saving faith in Jesus.

Our evangelism, preaching, and teaching are in conflict with dark forces even right now.

Today we want to fight against this darkness by asking and answering the question: Who is Jesus?

Let’s read Romans 10:9-13 (CSB) 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is Lord.

The statement, “Jesus is Lord”, which the Bible tells us if we can confess and believe, summarizes the proclamation of the New Testament about Jesus.

Acts 10:36 (CSB) 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (CSB) 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:9-11 (CSB) 9 For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1. The title “Lord” is on purpose, and is intended for us to remember “Yahweh”, the I AM of Exodus 3:14.
2. Jesus even called himself the I AM in John 8:58.
  1. John 8:54-59 (CSB) 54 “If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father — about whom you say, ‘He is our God’ — he is the one who glorifies me. 55 You do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say I don’t know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham? ” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple.
For Jesus to claim to be Lord, and for his disciples to claim this of him is to say that Jesus is the God of the Old Testament.
1. This is the New Testament’s declaration, and it leave no room for seeing Jesus in any other way.
If this is true, then the Bible claims that Jesus is God who has taken on human flesh.
1. Jesus, who claims to be God, also claims to be sent from the Father.
2. Jesus’ claim to be God and yet distinct but in relationship with God, introduces us to Trinity (which we studied last week) and places Jesus in the category of him either being God or not.
3. Jesus did not leave us room to waffle about who he is.
  1. Jesus is Lord!
4. The word to describe this truth of THE God taking on human flesh is “incarnation”.
5. 1. Incarnation means the Eternal Son of God assumed a human nature to accomplish the mission of redeeming mankind and his creation.
    1. John 1:14 (CSB) 14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
6. Jesus is the God of the Old Testament, Jesus is THE God, and therefore Jesus is Lord who took on flesh to show us the glory of God.

Next, Jesus is fully God.

Jesus is not half God or partly God. Jesus is fully God.

Luke 5:17-26 (CSB) 17 On one of those days while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in him. 18 Just then some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before him. 19 Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? ” 22 But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.” 25 Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 Then everyone was astounded, and they were giving glory to God. And they were filled with awe and said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

Who can forgive sins but God alone?
1. Jesus claims to be God when he forgives sin, and the writers of the New Testament affirm Jesus did it and they firmly believed Jesus to be God.
  1. Jesus has all power. Matthew 28:18.
  2. Jesus is all present. Matthew 28:20.
  3. Jesus is unchangeable. Hebrews 13:8.
    1. Hebrews 13:8 (CSB) 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
  4. Jesus is all-knowing. John 2:24-25.
    1. John 2:24-25 (CSB) 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all 25 and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.
  5. Jesus is eternal. John 1:1-5.
    1. John 1:1-5 (CSB) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
  6. Jesus is the creator. Colossians 1:16.
  7. Jesus is the sustainer of creation. Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3.
  8. Jesus is the savior. Romans 10:9-13.
  9. Jesus is the Son of Man. Daniel 7:9-14
    1. When Jesus took this title “Son of Man” for himself, he was claiming to be the “Son of Man” in Daniel 7 who receives a kingdom from the Ancient of Days and his kingdom only increases and he rules with the Ancient of Days.
  10. Jesus is worshiped. Philippians 2:10-11; Matthew 14:33.
  11. Jesus is God with us for us to see. Matthew 1:22-23; John 14:9
2. Only God can be and do these things, and these are attributed to Jesus as God.
  1. Therefore, Jesus is fully God.

Also, Jesus is fully man.

Jesus is not a half man or partly man. Jesus is fully man.

As strange as it sounds, Jesus’ deity was such a given for his people that it is not even doubted.

It was Jesus’ humanity that caused people challenges.

One of the early false teachings about Jesus was Docetism, from the word “dokeo”, which means “to seem”. The Docetists believed Jesus just seemed to be human.

They fully embraced that God could take on flesh. What they struggled with was if God in the flesh could truly be human.

Jesus’ full humanity is the truth and absolutely necessary.

Jesus’ humanity was necessary to fulfill God’s word that one of Eve’s descendants would crush the serpent and his work.
1. Genesis 3:15
Jesus’ humanity was necessary for representative obedience. Jesus represents those who come to him in faith by making his obedience count as our obedience.
1. Romans 5:18-21 (CSB) 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus’ humanity was necessary to be our example and pattern for living.
1. 1 John 2:6 (CSB) 6 The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked.
2. 1 Peter 2:21 (CSB) 21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Jesus’ humanity was necessary to be the pattern for our redeemed bodies in the eternal kingdom.
1. 1 John 3:2-3 (CSB) 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure.
Jesus’ humanity was necessary to sympathize with us as our High Priest.
1. Hebrews 2:16-18 (CSB) 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
2. Hebrews 4:15 (CSB) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

A denial of Jesus’ humanity is a denial of the gospel.

1 John 4:1-3 (CSB) 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.
2 John 1:7 (CSB) 7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Hebrews 2:14-18 (CSB) 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring. 17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Finally, Jesus is fully man and fully God in one person eternally.

When Jesus was raised from the dead, he continued in his physical and glorified eternal splendor while continuing to bear the scars of our sin in his resurrected body.

John 20:25-28 (CSB) 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God! ”

Jesus ate food with his disciples.

Luke 24:41-43 (CSB) 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat? ” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

Jesus physically dwells with the Father.

Acts 7:56 (CSB) 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! ”

Jesus is the God-Man who is the King.

As the better descendant of David, Jesus is in absolute control as the king as he advances his kingdom.

Revelation 5 and 6.

Jesus is the God-Man who is the Prophet.

As the Word of God, Jesus carries the authority of perfectly expressing God’s will and rightly teaching truth. Not only do we have the words he spoke in preaching from the Old Testament while in the flesh recorded in the New Testament, but the whole Old Testament is his word.

John 1:18 (CSB) 18 No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him.
Revelation 19:10 (CSB) 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold firmly to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, because the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Jesus is the God-Man who is our High Priest.

Because Jesus died as the sacrifice for sin and makes intercession for his people.

Hebrews 9:22-28 (CSB) 22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves to be purified with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us. 25 He did not do this to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. 26 Otherwise, he would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment — 28 so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Application

Repent and believe the gospel.
1. Romans 10:9 (CSB) 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
  1. Repentance and belief (faith) are not two things. They are one thing.
    1. These are complimentary parts of the same process.
If you have believed, just as you received the Lord Jesus, continue in him.
1. Colossians 2:6-7 (CSB) 6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.
  1. Live by faith in Jesus. Let trust in Jesus inform everything.
  2. Seek his reign in your life as the number one priority.
If you are bored with Jesus, please check your salvation.
1. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (CSB) 5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless you fail the test.
Root yourself in your Bible in fellowship with your church and speak about Jesus clearly and openly in the public square together on mission.
Gather to worship as the corporate enjoyment of Jesus that you practice in private when alone with the Lord.
Pray for and seek a Jesus’ awakening/revival, and patiently wait for him. Don’t imitate or live off of what God is doing for and in others.
1. What is awakening/revival?
  1. It is simply and profoundly God choosing to tangibly renew his people’s experience of his presence.
    1. Historically, God does this in younger folks who want God more than anything else evidenced by private prayer, fasting, repentance from sin, bible reading/study, and sobriety about their and other’s condition being in need of God’s tangible presence.
2. Revival does not happen by revival seeking or revival chasing.
  1. These students were not chasing spiritual stardom.
  2. The chapel speaker preached, in his estimation, his worse sermon ever.
  3. This didn’t happen at a mega-church among consumers.
  4. This happened because some students were hungry for the kingdom of God first and wanted Jesus enough to count repenting from sin as soul satisfying, faith in Jesus for salvation exhilarating, Bible preaching invigorating, singing to the Lord enjoyable, and Jesus worthy of it all.
3. Revival happens by seeking the kingdom of God first as Jesus instructed us.
  1. Repent of sin.
  2. Pray for God’s eyes only in the inner room.
  3. Worship in private long before in public.
  4. Be rooted in God’s word.
  5. Routinely fast.
  6. Run from being known and run to the shadows of anonymity to keep Jesus the star.
  7. Avoid public attention.
  8. Receive from the Lord what he chooses to give.