God’s promise-infused story echoes with the love of God – His grace and truth – from start to finish. But that echo comes to startling clarity in the melodious strain of Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Messiah and One and Only Son. Jesus’ revelation of God’s love – His grace and truth- is what we most long for and most need, and He shapes and molds us with His love for the world around us.
SERMON OUTLINE
“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all…. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:29-30)
God the Son and Time
- The preexistent Son (John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:1-3)
- The incarnate Son (John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11)
- The glorified Son (Luke 24:50-52; Revelation 1:13-16)
- Summary (1 Timothy 3:16)
Old Testament Witnesses: Promises Fulfilled
- Promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
- Promises to Moses (Exodus 19:3-6; Deuteronomy 18:18)
- Promises to David (2 Samuel 7:10-13)
- Promises to Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-9; 53:1-12)
- Promises to Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14)
The Incarnation of the Son of God: Jesus’ Earthly Ministry
- Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18; Matthew 7: 28-29; Luke 9:35)
- Priest (Hebrews 7:23-25; 8:1-2; 9:11-14; 1 John 2:1)
- King (Luke 1:31-33; John 18:36; Revelation 19:16)
What This Does Not Mean
- Not that Jesus appears divine but is really only human (Adoptionism)
- Not that Jesus appears human but is really only divine (Docetism)
- Not that Jesus is a created special being less than God (Arianism)
Living Our Triune Faith
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What do you find most difficult to understand about Jesus being God?
- This weekend we continue a series on understanding God as a Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This week we will explore many different portions of Scripture related to Jesus the Son of God. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His word, and then continue the study.
- Read John 1:1-18 aloud. Take some time to discuss the following questions from this passage:
- What does John tell us about Jesus before the incarnation in these verses?
- What does John tell us about what was happening in Jesus’ incarnation?
- Why did Jesus come as an incarnate human being?
- Now read through the following passages on Jesus, asking what each passage tells you who Jesus is as both Messiah and God: John 10:29-30; John 5:18; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:2-4; Colossians 1:15-20.
- Now read these verses about Jesus’ post-resurrection life in glory with the Father. What do you learn about Jesus as He is now? Acts 7:55-56; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 1:12-17; Ephesians 1:18-23; Hebrews 7:23-25; John 14:1-3.
- Why do you think it is important to believe not only that Jesus is a spiritual teacher but that Jesus truly is God?
DIG DEEPER
- Read and reflect on the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian Creed, which are two historic statements of our Christian faith related to the nature of Jesus Christ.
- Read a book that helps you understand Jesus more, such as On the Incarnation by Athanasius, Simply Jesus by N. T. Wright or Christology: A Global Introduction by Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen.