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[ Is the Bible Really God's Word? | Is
God Really Good? | What
is Worship? - The Juggler | Is
Jesus really God? ] "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:1) Is Jesus Christ God? This is a huge question! If the answer is conclusively yes, it means that what he has said has a prior claim on our lives as we are his creation. We would never know God at all if he had not taken the initiative to reveal himself to us. How did he do this? --Through the person of Jesus Christ. Who, What, When? Jesus was born 2000yrs. ago in an obscure Palestinian village known as Bethlehem. He had humble parents named Mary and Joseph. Mary was a virgin, the child was conceived in her by the Holy Spirit. in a stable surrounded by lowly animals. The reigning King (Herod) killed all the boys under 2 years old (this is known historically as the slaughter of innocents) to prevent Jesus from becoming the prophesied King of the Jews. Jesus remained obscure until 30 years old. (One recorded appearance at age 8 in the temple astounding scholars and Rabbis: Jesus announced that he was "about my father’s business.” The name Jesus means "the Lord Saves” The title Christ means "The Anointed One” Christ’s claims about himself that are found in the Bible: John 10:30-39 "I and the Father are one.” One=neuter (one in essence and character, not the same person) John 5:17,18 "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” (Jesus calls God his own father: Jews only say our father). John 8:56-59 "Before Abraham was born, I am.” Here, Jesus claims not only to be alive before Abraham, but eternally existent. See Exodus 3:14: "I am who I am.” In the New Testament Jesus says: "I am the gate" "I am the good shepherd" "I am the way" "I am the bread of life" "I am the living water" -All these claims in the New Testament read fairly exclusively, as they continually utilize the expression "I am" which speaks to the formula that the Father speaks of himself when he told Moses to urge Pharaoh to "let my people go"...there (in Exodus 3), he told Moses to represent him by the name "I Am." In the gospel of John 20:26-29 Thomas calls Jesus "My Lord and my God!” Jesus does not correct him; Rather he says Thomas has believed and said correctly. Jesus’ works = God’s works Jesus is known as the -Creator: John 1:3, Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:10 -Sustainer: Colossians 1:17 -Director of History: Hebrews 1:2; 1st Corinthians 10:1-11 -Forgives sins: Mark 2:5-12 (Isaiah 43:25), Matthew 9, Lk. 7:38 -Possesses & Gives Eternal Life: John 10:28 (as the source) -Raises the dead: John 11:25 -Hears & Answers Prayer: John 14:14 Authority: Jesus had the authority that only God had! Over the temple (Matthew 12:6, John 2:18-High priest, King & Messiah had authority in the Jewish mind) Over the Sabbath: Matthew 12:8 Over the Law: Matthew 5:31-34, 38-39 Over the Kingdom of God: Matthew 16:19 Names of Christ. Jesus was known by the same names as God the Father was known! Here are some of them.: God: John 1:1, Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:8, Titus 2:13, John 20:28, 1st John 5:20,21 Son of God: Matthew 26:63,63; John 1:33-36; John 5:18; John 19:6-7 (Acts 4:30) Lord: Philippians 2:10; Matthew 16:22, John 13:13; John 12:36-41; (Isaiah 6:53; 53) Lord of Glory: 1st Corinthians 2:8 (Psalm 24:8-10) Holy One: Acts 3:14 (Isaiah 11:9) First & Last (Alpha & Omega): Revelation 1:17-18; 2:8 (Isaiah 44:6 & 48:12-16); Revelation 22:13,16; 1:8 (Psalm 90:1-2) Son of Man: Matthew 16:13-17 Used as an expression for himself and used as a description of the Messiah and the Judge of mankind (see John 5:27, Joel 3:12, Daniel 7:9-13, Revelation 1:9-16. Metaphysical Attributes: (Metaphysical means beyond the natural) Self-existent: John 1:4, 14:6 (Jesus had no beginning!) Unchangeable: Hebrews 13:8, 1:10-12 (perfection needs no changes) Omnipresent: Matthew 28:20, Acts 3:21 (all-present) Omniscient: John 4:16 (all-knowing) Omnipotent: John 5:19, Revelation 1:8, Luke 4:39, 7:14, Mathew 8:26,27. (all-powerful) Jesus is also the : Object of Saving Faith: John 10:30,31; John 14:1; 17:3 Know God through Jesus: Matthew 11:27, Colossians 2:9 Received honor & Worship: Matthew 4:8-12, 14:31-33, 15:25-28; John 5:23; Revelation 22:8-11 Demanded Worship: Philippians 2:10-11, John 5:23.
[ Is the Bible Really God's Word? | Is
God Really Good? | What
is Worship? - The Juggler | Is
Jesus really God? ]
mm@mountainministries.org
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