Category: Christ (Deity of)
Subject: Deity of Christ
The Priest of God Most High
A wonderful lesson is taught in Hebrews 7, concerning our priesthood under the New Covenant. It surpasses in greatness the priesthood of the Jews, which existed as a type of what would come in the last days. The Hebrew writer argues this truth in a very interesting way. By using Melchizedek, the king of Salem.
Who was Melchizedek? We know his title and significance, but nothing of his life. In fact, he is described in the text as being “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life…” (7:3). This does not mean that Melchizedek was more than a man, it is simply noting that Melchizedek exists in the narrative of the Old and New Testaments to teach something about Christ. We don’t know or need to know anything about where he came from. We don’t know when he was born, or when he died. We just know him to be both the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. Because of this lack of information regarding Melchizedek in the pages of the Bible, it is as if he, “remains a priest continually”, thus foreshadowing the eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood. Continue reading “The Priest of God Most High”
The Discerner of Hearts
John 2:23-25 shows us an interesting side to Jesus’ deity, His ability to read our hearts! “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25). This is evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, because men aren’t capable of knowing the hearts of anyone save themselves (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:11).
He knows the hearts of men, so He could safely avoid being misled by hypocrisy. Jesus did not commit to those who did not commit to him – an attribute of Deity, as God Himself noted in Jeremiah 17:10, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
We need to recognize that things have not changed. Jesus will judge us in the last day, and there is nothing we can hide from him. Any hypocrisy or falseness is exposed to the Son of God. It is possible to fool men, it is even possible to fool yourself, which is extremely dangerous! It is not possible to fool our Lord.
Galatians 6:7-8, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Sermon: “If You are the Christ, tell us plainly”
In John 10:22-30, Jesus was surrounded by a probable hostile group of questioners, who demanded He clearly reveal whether or not He was the Christ. Jesus’ revealed their prejudice against Him and claimed, “I and My Father are one.”
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Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 3:3-6
In the Hebrew writer’s general efforts to show the superiority of the new to the old, he here makes a central and strong argument. This would be especially stirring to the Jewish Christians, as our Lord is compared to perhaps the most significant individual in the establishment of their nation and old law — Moses.
First, Jesus was fully faithful to his Father in heaven, as Moses was faithful. But, as was written, “For this one has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”! Why? Because of the fundamental difference between Moses and Jesus.
Moses was a man. A servant. Jesus is God the Son. Moses is described as “a house”, where Jesus is described as the Builder of the house, thus worthy of more honor.
When we contrast the Old to the New, it is not merely a consideration of the relative merits. They’re both from God, they are both Holy. But it was God’s plan to supplant, in these last days, a limited law with His supreme gift to mankind. His Son!
Sermon: Better Than the Angels (Hebrews 1:1-9)
A discussion of Hebrews 1:1-9. Jesus is better both as a spokesman for God, and as a Divine Being, compared to God’s servants, the angels.
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Being Deceived and Cheated
No one likes to be lied to, or to be cheated out of what they deserve. If this is so regarding worldly matters, how much more so spiritual concerns.
This concerned Paul, and he warned about those who would come in and do this to his brethren. He wrote in Colossians 2, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (8-10). Continue reading “Being Deceived and Cheated”
Sermon: The Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36)
Luke 9 narrates an amazing event, the transfiguration of Jesus, and His conversation with Moses and Elijah. The event ends with the Father’s endorsement of His Son. “Hear Him.”
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Sermon: How the Devil Works
A discussion of Genesis 3:6 and Luke 4:1-13, showing how the Devil works to tempt men, and what can be done to deal with the enticements he places before us.
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Mining the Scriptures: John 1:29-34
Here we have a plain demonstration of John the Baptist’s work of preparing the world for the ministry of the Lord. John’s declarations regarding Jesus establishes many truths about the Lord. He is the Lamb of God (Revelation 7:17). He is the One who “takes away” the world’s sins (Romans 5:6-9). He is greater than John, and John’s purpose was to come before Him to prepare His way (Malachi 3:1).
John witnessed first hand the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord to alight and remain with Him (Matthew 3:14-17). He testified that this coming of the Spirit was a message from God to identify the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).
In conclusion, John said, “And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” His statement supplies for us proof and confidence that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be while He was with us on the earth (Luke 22:70).
Mining the Scriptures: Luke 1:46-56
Our text reflects Mary’s praise to God while she visited her relative Elizabeth in the preceding verses.
In the first three verses she gave thanks for God’s consideration for her. She was to give birth to the prophesied Messiah, the son of David, “Immanuel” (cf. Matthew 1:23), and she praised the Lord saying, “And holy is His name” (49).
Verses 50-55 are a statement of Christ’s purpose in being sent. God’s plan for redeeming man from their sins. God’s mercy is shown to those who fear Him. He resists pride and willfulness, but shows His mercy to the lowly, exalting them; and the hungry, feeding them. As Mary said, “He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (54-55).
Verse 56 says Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months before returning to her own home. John the Baptist and Jesus were about 6 months different in age (cf. 36, 41, 56-57).
Sermon: King, Rod, Priest, Judge (Psalm 110)
A discussion of Psalm 110, the Psalmist identifies the coming Christ as one who would serve as both King and Priest, and rule with a rod (indicating authority and strength).
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Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 3:1-2
The first 6 verses of Hebrews 3 compare and contrast Jesus with Moses. First, the comparison in verses 1-2.
We begin with identification of Jesus as the Apostle and High priest of our confession. Notice the definite article. He is ‘the’ Apostle — a delegate or ambassador. In these last days, Jesus was the One (the only One) sent to man by God. He is also the only High Priest of the New Covenant, of the order of Melchizedek, (cf. Hebrews 6:20). He is the only high priest needed. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Like Moses, Jesus was “faithful to Him who appointed Him” (2). He Himself said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Moses was faithful as well, living his life in service to Jehovah. There are differences between the two, but as stewards, fulfilling God’s desire for them, they were certainly alike in their faithfulness to execute God’s will!
Sermon: Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem
Discussion and applications from Matthews account in Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
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Jesus Our Shepherd
Jesus lived in a pastoral society. The images He used to illustrate points were very well known to his listeners. Fortunately for us urbanites, they are simple figures, and easily understood even by us 2000 years later. For example, John records these words of the Lord, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5). Continue reading “Jesus Our Shepherd”
Breakfast with Jesus
Continuing our discussion of Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel. We look at the 3rd occasion the Lord’s appeared to His disciples following His resurrection, and the evidences that prove He is our Messiah.
