Scripture: Matthew 26:59-63

C.I.: Jesus: A Savior Worthy of Our Lives & Devotion

Last week we began a series on God (trinity) – We saw 3 extra-biblical evidences for His existence and ….
Today we’ll look for answers to 2 of the most important questions concerning Jesus of Nazareth…

I. Two Questions that Can Change Your Eternal Destiny…

A. Question #1: “Is Jesus God?”

1. This is not a question – about which we can be ambivalent. – It demands our full attention!
a. Jesus Himself tells us the importance – of the issues involved;
1) (Jn. 8:24), “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
2) (Jn. 14:6), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but….”
b. The apostles also declare the importance of our understanding of this question…
1) (Phil. 2:5-6), “Have this mind … who although He existed in the form of God, did not….”
2) (Jn. 5:18), “…He was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal to God.”
3) (Matt. 1:22-23), “Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with Child….”
c. Therefore, we must both know AND accept this vital teaching – if we want to please God!

2. “If it walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck…!” (Attributes of Deity)
a. If Jesus was truly God in the flesh then He must also possess all of the attributes of deity.
1) Eternal – (Jn. 1:1; Gen. 1:1), “In the beginning was the Word…” – “In the beginning…”
2) Omnipotent – (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16), “All things came into being by Him … For by Him all things were created, in the heavens & on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones….”
3) Omniscient – (Jn. 2:24; 16:30), “He knew all men ” - “Now we know You know all things
4) Omnipresent – (Matt. 28:20), “And lo, I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.”
5) Immutable – (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8), “I the Lord change not” – “Jesus Christ is the same….”
b. Since He possesses all the attributes of deity – Jesus is God (Col. 2:9), “For in Him all the…”

3. “But how can Jesus & the Father be God since there is only ONE GOD?!” (Deut. 6:4; Mk. 12:29)
a. Because that which is said of Jehovah is also applied to Jesus…
1) (Ex. 3:13-14; Jn. 8:85-59), “I am going to the sons of Israel…” - “before Abraham was born
2) (Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:3), “Clear the way for Jehovah/Yahweh…” – “Make ready the way….”
3) (Isa. 9:6), “For a child will be born to us and a son will be given to us; - and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called wonderful Counselor, mighty God….”
b. Because it is possible for “two” to actually be one when they are one in nature
1) (Gen. 2:24), “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave….”
2) Totem Illust.: (I Cor. 11:3), “I want you to understand that Christ …” – These all have different responsibilities – but are equal to each other in nature, (quote Gal. 3:28; Jn. 10:30)
c. Because it is possible for “two” to actually be one when they are one in purpose.
1) (Jn. 17:21; 14:8-10), “I and the Father are 1” – “Show us the Father … has seen the Father”
2) Thus, Jesus is God – (Jn. 1:18), “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God…”

B. Question #2: “Can God Die?”

1. Being a man Jesus had the same dual nature that we all have.
a. Man has both a physical and a spiritual nature…
1) (Gen. 2:7; Eccl. 12:7), “The Lord formed man from the dust of the ground, - and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” – “The dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to the God who gave it.”
2) During His earthly ministry – Jesus, like all men – was both body & spirit
3) (Jn. 1:1; 14), “In the beginning was the Word … and the Word became flesh and dwelt….”
b. When people die - it is the flesh dies – not his spirit.
1) (Jms. 2:26), “The body without the spirit is dead.”
2) (Lk. 23:46), “Jesus crying out in a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands a commit My spirit.’ – And having said this He breathed His last.”
c. So, did God die on the cross? – NO! – The flesh, which Jesus took upon Himself, was put to death – BUT GOD DID NOT DIE!!!

2. The more important question is, “Why did the man Jesus have to die on the cross?”

a. Jesus died – to offer the only sacrifice for us – which would please God!
1) Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves.
2) No sacrifice we offer – would be sufficient - (Heb. 10:4-7), “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. – Therefore when He comes into the world, He says, ‘Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body you have prepared for Me; - in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sins You have taken no pleasure.’ – Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the roll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will O God.’”
3) Only a perfect sacrifice for sins – would please God … Jesus is our only hope!!!

b. Jesus died – to give us victory over sin & Satan!
1) (Heb. 2:14), “Since then the children share in flesh and blood, - He Himself likewise partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death…
2) (Col. 2:15), “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display….”
3) We can either focus on the cross & what God offers – or we can focus on ourselves & Satan…

c. Jesus died – so He and We could share in an eternity of joy-filled fellowship/togetherness!
1) (Heb. 12:2), “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy….”
2) Jesus endured the cross – because He had you in mind!!!

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The first question that was asked tells of who Jesus is. – The second deals with who we are!!!

2. Jesus did not die in vain if you are saved – or if you want to be … (Mark 16:15-16)!