Sermon Tone Analysis

*Jesus, Who Is God*

All of the scripture readings today are from the NIV

 

*John 1:1-14*

*1* In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

*2* He was with God in the beginning.

*3* Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

*4* In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

*5* The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

*6* There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.

*7* He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

*8* He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

*9* The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

*10* He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

*11* He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

*12* Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- *13* children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

*14* The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

*Introduction:*

This is the last in a series of three sermons about the nature of Jesus.

They are:

*      Jesus, The Son Of God*

*      Jesus, The Son Of Man*

*      Jesus, Who Is God*

Seth Wilson wrote recently in the Restoration Herald: “It is vitally important to examine the claims of Jesus Christ and come to a rational decision about Him.

A decision is demanded by what Jesus says about Himself.

Acceptance of His claims demands unconditional surrender to His person in absolute faith and obedience.

If we do not consent to unqualified commitment to Him, we do not accept His claims, and thus we are condemning His teaching about Himself.

His claims allow no middle ground of accepting Him merely as a good teacher.”

Often, when children are disciplined, they will accuse their parents (those who discipline) of not loving them.

Is that true?  No!

In fact the love of the parent has not changed at all, it is just being manifested in a different way.

God has created us to have a relationship with Him, and that relationship is to be based on our love for one another.

God’s love for us and our love for Him.

Today as we examine Christ (Jesus) in the light of the fact that He is God I want to take a brief look at several scriptures that talk about this very special relationship that Jesus has with God.

In the Old Testament - *Isaiah 9:6 *For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In the New Testament  - *Matthew 1:23 *"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-- which means, "God with us."

In the words of Jesus - *John 10:30 *I and the Father are one."

In the words of Paul - *I Timothy 3:16 *Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Determining then that it is really pretty difficult to put in to clear and concise words what these scriptures are telling us, is it safe to conclude that we are just willing to accept the truth of God’s Word and continue?

If so, then lets continue our talk about the Nature of Jesus~/God.

Understanding that in this discussion, we cannot nor do we intend to separate Christ from God.

\\ *I.

God is Love: His will is always best.*

*      According to I John 4:16 *And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

*God is love.*

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

This does not say that God loves, though He does, It says that the very nature of God is LOVE.

*      A.

God will discipline us.*

He will bring judgment.

In *Hebrews 12:6* because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

*      B.

We can be confident in and with the Love of God.*

            Two other verses describe His perfect love.

They are *John 3: 16* and *I John 3:16*

*      C.

Sometimes it is hard to understand that God loves us.*

We see things in the backdrop of our lives and we can very easily lose sight of God’s love.

It is important, then, that we NEVER look at the circumstances of our lives unless we look at them with the backdrop of The Cross.

It is at The Cross were WE can really see and understand the totality of God’s love for us.

*      D.

Some use this as an excuse.*

The attitude is, that if God loves us, then he cannot~/will not discipline us.

In fact, God’s commands are for our good.

We can read about it In the old Testament in *Deuteronomy 10:12-13 *and in *Deuteronomy 6:20-25*

*II.

God is all-knowing: His directions are always right.*

*      A.

By nature God is omniscient (all knowing).*

He possesses all knowledge: past, present, and future.

As a result, He is always right.

His decisions and directions are always correct.

\\             *A.

W. Tozer (1897–1963)*

/            Faith reposes on the character of God, and if we believe that God is perfect, we must conclude that his ways are perfect also .

/

*      B.

How big is your GOD?*

*            The story is told:*

/            Every follower of Jesus Christ needs to understand that Christ has power over both life and death -- otherwise we have no news that is ultimately Good News.

John Huffman in his book, Who's In Charge Here?, tells about Robert Dick Wilson, a great professor at Princeton Theological Seminary.

One of Dr. Wilson's students had been invited back to preach in Miller Chapel twelve years after his graduation.

/

/            Old Dr. Wilson came in and sat down near the front.

At the close of the meeting the old professor came up to his former student, cocked his head to one side in his characteristic way, extended his hand, and said, "If you come back again, I will not come to hear you preach.

I only come once.

I am glad that you are a big-Godder.

When my boys come back, I come to see if they are big-Godders or little-Godders, and then I know what their ministry will be."

His former student asked him to explain, and he replied:  "Well, some men have a little God, and they are always in trouble with him.

He can't do any miracles.

He can't take care of the inspiration and transmission of the Scripture to us.

He doesn't intervene on behalf of his people.

They have a little God and I call them little-Godders.

/

/            Then there are those who have a great God.

He speaks and it is done.

He commands and it stands fast.

He knows how to show Himself strong on behalf of them that fear him.

You have a great God; and He will bless your ministry."

He paused a moment and smiled, and said, "God bless you," and turned, and walked out.

/

*            Ephesians 4:6 *one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

*            I Chronicles 29:11-12*