Dr. Stanley teaches from the Gospel of John, illuminating that Jesus is God Himself. What you believe about this carpenter from Nazareth not only determines your life here on earth but also in eternity. Discover how Jesus is the perfect image of God the Father.
Sermon Outline
IS JESUS CHRIST GOD?
KEY PASSAGE: John 1:1-5
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Genesis 1:26 | Matthew 9:2-6 | John 3:3 | John 3:16 | John 5:36 | John 6:38 | John 8:12 | John 8:19 | John 8:29 | John 10:7 | John 10:9 | John 10:10 | John 10:14 | John 10:17-18 | John 10:30 | John 12:45 | John 14:6 | John 14:11 | John 14:16-17 | John 16:7 | Colossians 1:14-17
SUMMARY
What do you think of Jesus Christ? How you answer this question is of utmost importance.
Was He merely a man, one of the numerous prophets or teachers who roamed the world in that day, or someone else? Many people may be interested in His teachings or healings, but in the big scheme of things, they think God is the important one—not Jesus. They may claim to believe in God, while considering Jesus irrelevant. But what does the Bible say?
SERMON POINTS
John’s gospel provides a picture of Jesus unlike any other place in Scripture. John’s answer to Christ’s identity is an affirmation that Jesus is God. And all the evidence that is required to prove this statement is found in God’s Word, particularly in the book of John. According to John 1:1-5, Jesus is the eternal God, Creator of everything, and source of life who was with God in the beginning.
Who did Jesus say He was?
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me” (10:14).
“I am the door of the sheep … if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (vv. 10:7, 9).
“I and the Father are one” (v. 30).
“He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me” (12:45).
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness” (8:12).
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (14:6).
Were Jesus’ actions consistent with who God is?
“I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (8:29).
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (10:10).
“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:6).
“I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-18).
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (6:38).
What was Jesus’ relationship to God the Father?
“Let Us make man in Our image” (Gen. 1:26). The words “Us” and “Our” refer to the Trinity, which includes God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30).
“If you knew Me, you would know My Father also” (8:19).
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you” (vv. 14:16-17). All three members of the Trinity are mentioned in this passage.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (1:1). John was testifying that Jesus was God in human flesh.
“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3). John identifies Him as the Creator, which is also supported by Genesis 1:26.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:15-17). Paul also affirms that Jesus is the Creator.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).
“I am in the Father and the Father is in Me” (14:11).
“The very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me” (5:36).
“I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (8:29).
Why is Christ’s deity so important?
In the minds of many people, God is a distant, foreign, indescribable entity that exists “out there” somewhere. They claim to believe in God but pay little attention to Him and don’t want to be subject to Him. Their god is expected to help them when they need it but never make them feel convicted or guilty of sin.
In addition, many people who say they believe in God do not believe in Jesus. This is true of various religions throughout the world. But it’s impossible to believe in the one true God and exclude Jesus Christ, because He is one of the members of the Trinity. Furthermore, Jesus claimed that He and the Father are one. Another reason people don’t want to acknowledge the deity of Christ is because that makes God too personal and makes themselves accountable. They prefer a god who will agree with them and help them get whatever they want in life, not one who meddles in their business and holds them responsible. But that is not who the true God is.
Why did Jesus say He came into the world?
He came that we might have life and have it abundantly (10:10). The Father sent Him to earth to walk in human flesh, face temptation without sin, and perform miracles that testified of His deity. Eventually He died on a cross to bear the punishment for our sins so that everyone who believes in Him could be forgiven and receive eternal life. And all of this was motivated by God’s love for us (3:16). Jesus is the only one who can save us from eternal condemnation.
What happens if Jesus is not God?
Then He is a liar.
He can’t be trusted.
His death had no effect, and we are still in our sins.
The story of the resurrection is false, and we have no hope of eternal life or a future resurrection.
Christianity is just another false religion.
Then we are hopeless and helpless in this life and will face judgment and eternal punishment.
But Jesus is God, and everything He said and did has resulted in the forgiveness of our sins, the gift of eternal life, and a home in heaven.
RESPONSE
Does your perception of God and Jesus match these biblical descriptions or have you made a god of your own imagination and liking?
What will you do with the truth about Jesus? What is at stake if you reject it? What is in store for you if you believe it?
