We Believe Jesus Christ Is the Son of God

I wondered if I had taken the opportunity to pull may be 10 to 50 you or maybe 100. You know whatever the number might be of four members or attendees this evening or this morning and ask you this question. What does it mean when we say we believe Jesus is the son of God or why is Jesus the son of God, or perhaps how did Jesus become the son of God. I suspect that many of us might point to the way in which he entered the words and and so we might say that the way in which he is the son of God and some of you might even look at me quite a sense of ridicule. How could you assess a question like that. How am I the son of my father, or the daughter of my father, is that then not the same way in which Jesus is the son of God. Well, we know how we became children of or appearance and if there were ever a doubt as their commonly is they are at times men for one reason or the other doubt the legitimacy of that particular child being there's and arm so there are certain tests that can be done to prove that biological connection, and recall that that DNA test and that would prove without a shadow of a doubt whether this person is or is not the father of this child, and so we might think that that would be the same way in which we would.

The same principle would apply to the question of Jesus being the son of God, as we try to prove it. What if you were to try to do that. I suspect you might fail.

In doing so now we want to deal with this from three particular perspectives on tonight. So again, we could ask the question why is Jesus the son of God are how do I know he is the son of God, and the first thing I would say is we have quite a number of references, internal evidence, we might say of Jesus be in the son of God, we can say even in the prophecy of the Old Testament and I invite you to some of you I'm sure notice on text in Isaiah chapter 9 in verse six, Isaiah chapter 9 in verse six again. I'm sure many of us know it. For unto us a child is born. Yes, Mary did give birth to a time a son to be exact, but not the next phrase that is son is given. We know this to be a reference to Jesus Christ and the government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called wonderful Counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, and the Prince of peace. So long before Jesus was born, it was prophesied that the son would be given that a son would come into the world would be unlike any other child. Any other son that would have previously entered into the world, or even who would've entered into the world after Jesus into the world and so as I looked at the phrase I see that it has occurred 43 times in the New Testament, specifically in the ESV 43 times the phrase appears Jesus as the son of God.

The first time we see this in Matthew chapter 4 and verse three, and then later on we also see it in. Finally, in Revelation chapter 2 and verse 18. But between then Matthew first occurrence in Matthew in the final last records in Revelation. There are many other times, this phrase occurs throughout the New Testament and not simply mention a few. And then I'm gonna read some of the texts for us because I would think that if we're going to believe that Jesus is the son of God, then first we must see that this is the way the Scripture presents him before we even address the issue of what does it mean that Jesus is the son of God, so we look at the internal evidence that proves to us that Jesus is the son of God again in the prophecy long before he was born a son would be given but to be even much more clear in Luke chapter 1 and verse 35 Gabriel as he announced the coming of Jesus prior to his birth. He mentioned that this one would be the son of God and so will read that text because I think they are all very important but will definitely cause to read that one and so that's Luke chapter 1 and verse 35 and I'm sure again.

Like many of the verses I referenced tonight you will be very familiar with this one as well. And the angel answered her. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the son of God.

And so, certainly, God did not get married to a woman the spirit of God, did not get married to 2282 Mary and have some sort of a sexual relationship with her through this coming up on Jesus. What generated if you may. And so again it was prophesied before his birth, and certainly hearing announcing here to Eve as the time drew near, that should be given birth to a son in fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 9 in verse six, the sun would be given now we know. In order for something to be given this thing must previously exist until we find here even in Isaiah chapter 9 proof of the preexistence of Jesus Christ, the son of God. Indeed God himself. Later on John the Baptist and gave witness to the fact that Jesus is the son of God. We see that in John chapter 1 and verse 34 young man of whom live near his name Nathaniel declared Jesus as well, as a son of God. In John chapter 1 and verse 49 the disciples of Jesus recognize him as the son of God. Remember, even on the lake as they saw him in and that Peter asked to come out to meet with him and he didn't and they realize that this was the son of God. So you say okay we what we understand that any of these are great.

You know I references that you are providing.

But is there anything else about.

Certainly there a lot more references to this fact.

The demons recognize Jesus as the son of God and and if we had any reason to doubt previously and then I'm sure it would be important for us to pause to recognize that the demons they themselves recognize Jesus as the son of God in Matthew chapter 14 I just read a few verses here we would see it all away if you are 22 through 33. But as Jesus came in and they saw him, and they knew exactly who he was. They reference him as the son of God.

In verse 32 and when they got into the boat and the wind and the end and indices here. This was not a reference to the disciples in Matthew is in and on that later in the loop.

Chapter 4 I beg your pardon or Matthew chapter 8 that we see the demons they would recognize Jesus as the son of God.

So in Matthew eight in verse 29 and we will see that reference and and behold they cried out one of you to do with us all, son of God. Have you come here to torment us before the time and so even the demons recognize Jesus as the son of God, the devil himself, as well as he Jesus was laid out in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil in Luke chapter 4 and verse nine, the devil recognize Jesus as the son of God and so you know we can talk about these, your wonderful recognition from other disciples of Jesus. But again, we would have to believe this, as we see the demons themselves. The devil himself would recognize Jesus as at the son of God, even at Jesus's trial.

One of the accusations made against him is that he was making himself out to be the son of God. In John chapter 19 and verse seven a Roman soldier at the foot of the cross. They ridiculed Jesus as the son of God.

In Matthew chapter 27 and verse 40%. However, when he saw all the happenings at the cross.

The proclamations that Jesus had made on the cross he came to believe that truly this is one who died on the cross truly this was the son of God. We see in Matthew 27 and verse 54, the apostle Paul proclaimed Jesus as the son of God. We see in role in acceptor nine and verse 20 after his conversion, but we also see in Romans chapter 1 and will read that reference in Romans chapter 1123. The apostle Paul recognize Jesus here as the son of God and so it week. We can argue with this fact, even I'm sure some would want to Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which is promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures concerning this is son, who was descended from David according to the flesh, according to his son that is Jesus Christ, God's son, the son of God who came as a descendent of David, the apostle Peter testifies that Jesus is the son of the living God. In Matthew chapter 16 and verse seven. The apostle John himself also links Jesus as the son of God with God himself. In Revelation chapter 2 and verse 18. The father recognize Jesus as the only begotten son in Matthew chapter 17 and verse five.

Also, we might even go to John chapter 3 in verse 16. Right on the East End is only begotten son into the word, and so we have the apostles we had the disciples we have we have prophecies of him.

We have demons we had the devil himself. We have the Roman soldier.

We have the centurion at the foot of the cross we have the father himself, declaring Jesus as the son of God, we have the Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 1 in verse four, who's going to speak to that Jesus as the son of God in Romans chapter 1 and and verse four and he says and he was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead to the father proclaimed they recognize him as a son of God the Holy Spirit as well declared him as a son of God. And then there are those who would say well, certainly, Jesus never claimed to be the son of God with they would be in error as well because Jesus himself claimed to be the son of God, or made reference to himself as the son of God. One of the many references or eras where we see this is in John chapter 5 in verse 25. So will turn to that and read that passage, John chapter 5 and verse 25 Jesus speaks to our makes reference to himself as the son of God. In John five in verse 25. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will be, the dead will hear the voice of the son of God and those who hear will live a reference to himself even in John chapter 11 as Lazarus was in reference to your word came to him that Lazarus was sick unto death. We see him say in in John chapter 11 in verse four that Lazarus's illness was not onto death. It was for the glory of God, so that the son of God may be glorified doing so he would not be to that Jesus never claimed to be the son of God, or made reference to himself as a son of God, we do have many references of Jesus speaking to himself as the son of God, so he is the son of God, to one of the reasons why we believe that Jesus is the son of God, is because of the claims that we have in Scripture of Jesus as the son of God.

Hopefully, that settles it for you. All right, well then there is something else for us to deal with our ask ourselves than if Jesus is the son of God. What does it mean then that Jesus is the son of God.

What is the significance of Jesus as the son of God. When the saying one thing, it does not mean it does not mean that he is the son of God in the same way as we creatures are sons of God, and I know there references throughout Scripture of angels, for instance, as sons of God that is not the sense here Israel as a nation was called God's sons and Hosea chapter 11 and verse one Adam was called the son of God. In Luke chapter 3 and verse 38 but but Jesus was not the son of God in the sense in which we creatures are sons of God.

Children of God. God's creation and is certainly not in the sense as I mentioned before, as we are children of our forefathers or I myself a son of my father.

This is not the way in which Jesus is the son of God. So if that's not the way in which Jesus is the son of God than how is the son of God are what does it mean when he says that Jesus is the son of God. He is the son of God in the sense that he is God manifested in the flesh. He is God manifested in in flesh, God the father, as it were. We know the essence or that composition of God from John chapter 4 verse 24 God is spirit that is composition and so what we worship him in spirit and in truth, but we see in John chapter 1 verse one and also later will look at verse 14. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. This same word in reference to Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God and is the same as God, and if the word God add me who became flesh and dwelt among us, and we see, I have seen his glory, the glory as the only son from the father. And so Jesus is the son of God, not just because the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and and generated the sun as it were, because that's not the point of is beginning.

He existed from all eternity. Being God.

There was never a time when Jesus was not contrary to you and me and everything else that we have and see around us.

There was a time when we did not exist, but being God. There was never a time when he was not in.

So what actually happened then is that God stepped out of eternity. He put on flesh and rolled himself in the in the likeness of man as it were, and he came into our world and he drowned without so Jesus is the son of God in the sense that he is the essence and that composition of the one God, now to us in the form of man. And yes I hundred percent God and 100% man so that would leave the question that why did God become a man, all right will will will address that in a little bit later on and so on. Just a few more thoughts here as to what it needs to have Jesus as the son of God and so Philip himself on the clear Jesus as the one that is he sees Jesus simultaneously as the father. He and the father are one.

Philip makes out made that proclamation in the John chapter 14, you can turn to it.

John chapter 14, 8 to 11 so in the son of God, is God in Oregon, quite contrary to how we think. Philip says Philip said to him, Lord, show us the father and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him, have I been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the father.

So Philip says I want to see the father Jesus as well. Philip question you're asking show you the father have I been with you that long, and you don't see me. You haven't seen the Y in this conversation with Philip. He's saying I and the father are one, I and the father are equal is as whoever has seen me has seen the father.

How can you say so was the father.

Do you not believe that I am in the father and the father is in me.

The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his work.

Believe me that I am the father and the father is in the or else believe, on account of the works themselves quite clearly Jesus as the son of God, is God is not just the son of God in the sense that he came from the father and the Holy Spirit's involvement with Mary know he's a son of God in the sense that he is God enough/and so when we speak of. Again, remember Deuteronomy chapter 6 and four below, Israel, the Lord thy God is one God is one, one in essence different personages.

You may as it comes to certain responsibilities and so hence the sun so as Jesus is described as possessing the same nature as God he was with God, and he was the same as God as we see in John one and verse one. But not only that Jesus's nature is described as the image some versions say the express image of the invisible God. We see in Colossians chapter 1 of verse 15 through 18, Jesus's nature is described as the radians of the glory of God spoken about here a little bit about the glory of God. That is to say, in essence, Jesus is that as one author puts it, outshining of God is not just a representation of God for someone to be the representational someone, that person is not the same as someone else when it VP of the country travels to some other part of the world or the Secretary of State travel, so some other part of the Lord to represent the president and the thoughts of the president on the on the wishes of the president on the other policies of the president or in Jamaica. We still even though we been independent since 1962. Part of that agreement is that we would always have figurative representation of the Queen in our island in the form of the governor general, and so he represents the Queen in our Parliament. He has some authority certainly doesn't make the laws are enacted them and he does have some some power, but is primarily the representation of the Queen. Queen Elizabeth, but he is not Queen Elizabeth and so some people try to explain this idea of Jesus as a representation of Christ and I think we might if it is not just one who represents God, he is God he is the outshining of God, he is God, to us in � Jesus the son of God. He possesses them and their need same nature that very same quality of deity in beginning was the word and quite literally in the in the in the Greek language. God was the word I know it might not be translated like that in or smooth English literally did place the emphasis on God's earth.

He also comes first. God was the word, and so he is the word he is God in the flesh.

Millard Erickson explains it this way, says the title son of God. Quote signify that Jesus had a relationship with the father distinct from that of any and all other human relationship.

The Jews understood or understand that Jesus was claiming a unique son ship different not merely quantitatively but not merely quantitatively but quantitatively, not merely in degree, but also in kind. The Jews understood that in John chapter 8 when Jesus says, before Abraham was, I am they understood that he was making himself equal with God, and they thought that's blasphemy we ought to throw this guy out and kill him. Of course they could not do that. So what does it mean that Jesus is the son of God, that Jesus is God in flesh. We cannot forget that. So we know that Jesus is the son of God, because Scripture says that not only know what it means that Jesus is the son of God, no. Finally, my wife says to me before I got out. Remember to check the time. Some during that try to be an obedient husband. Even if this on the time a few theological implications as to what it means that Jesus is the son of God. This is God coming into the word in human form to tabernacle with us to dwell with us.

Why, why has he come to dwell with us. We send about it earlier right is the sacrifice that is involved. Think about it. If God is spirit, we can see a spirit. A spirit certainly can't die. We can grab a spirit and crucified a spirit lay across on a spirit spanker spirit we get latest sin of us on a spirit. And so God had to step out of eternity. He had to be rolled in the flesh of mankind. He who knew no sin, he became sin on our behalf, so that we could get to experience the righteousness of God. So Jesus as the son of God is God in flesh, the one who came in order to die for you and me on the cross so that we can have eternal life.

Had God not stepped out of eternity in the time taken on flesh. Mankind then how else would we be redeemed because all previous sacrifices of the Old Testament Old Testament system. They were weak they could not redeem us. They would only cover sin for a period of time, but he was reminds us that even after the sacrifices they still walk away with a very consciousness of sin with Jesus Christ, having offered one sacrifice. No one on the cross he cried out to Alexei. It is a finish the cost of our redemption was paid and it was paid in full and so God became man, the son of God, as it were, so that he could die on the cross for you and for me to the righteous demands of a holy God. Having told us in Genesis chapter 216 and 17.

Adam, if you mess with the tree. You shall surely die. Death came into the world in all its three prongs a spiritual death which made physical death a reality and eternal death, even so, as well a reality death came into the world because sin entered the word, and so therefore God had a demand that sin had to be a tone that had to be a wage a payment for sin. So I sin into the world. That was the proclamation sin had to be atoned now. How else was soon going to be atoned. If your righteousness and my righteousness there as filthy rags is Old Testament since the mid-sacrifices could not take away sin, but the cover sin for a period of time. None of us as human beings. Nothing else that God had made. We were all tainted by sin.

We did not meet the righteous demand we did not qualify to pay the penalty for our own sin.

But thanks be to God for his great love with which he loved us. He again came as the son of God to die for us because he demanded the blood of a sinless sacrifice. A spotless lamb, a holy lamb in your pure person to your blood to be shed on the cross for your sins and mine.

And again, none of us qualify.

So God came in the person of his son Jesus Christ to offer himself on the cross for our sins. So again we talk about the Trinity, which we do believe in.

We talk about the primary roles of the different members in the Trinity.

We know that the primary role of Jesus himself was our redemption on the cross and so again it just payment was required because we know all have sin. Romans six reminds us the wages of sin rather I is that in the son of God. He satisfied that first John two verse two makes it abundantly clear.

God required that sin would be atoned. So God through Christ. He took upon himself our sin again. He who knew no sin to him read this morning. Second Corinthians 521 he who knew no sin became sin on our behalf, Jesus the son of God. Therefore qualify since the law in and of itself was weak. Jesus qualified to offer himself as a sacrifice for sin is read another passage of Scripture. A few verses here from Romans chapter 8 verse one through five Romans chapter 8 verse one through five. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, praise God.

No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death for God has done what the law will lead by the flesh could not do. By sending his own son into the likeness of sinful flesh for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit is not amazing week as the law was weak, as you and I were in everything we try to do. Indeed, since the very moment when Adam took that fruit and we fell into sin. We get to know Genesis chapter 2 from verse eight through 10 as God came calling them Adam where are you all we heard you coming we were naked and afraid.

So we hid ourselves. Not only did they hide themselves that what date they took some believe that they tried to cover themselves ever since sin was introduced into mankind. We have been trying to work our way towards God and we continue to fail. We can never work our way towards God. Only God can come to us and make it possible for week for us to come to him through the blood of Jesus Christ.

And that's why God came the tabernacle and without the word God himself became flesh and dwelt among us there something else of theological importance that we need to understand and believe about Jesus as the son of God. Indeed, this very fact. This principle is very critical there. I even say required for our salvation. Because believe in Jesus Christ as the son of God as God himself, and therefore qualifies him to make that offering on the cross is critical for our salvation. In John chapter 3 and verse 18 we could also read chapter 220 verse 31 but in John chapter 3 and verse 18 we read the following. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he is not because he has not believed in the name of the only son of God.

To believe in Jesus believe in God as the son of God is finished work on the cross, he qualified to offer and to appease the righteous demand of God the work past Monroe uses morning tropic deviation.

I took to satisfy the righteous demand of God, he qualified and we must believe this salvation, it had it not been Jesus who came and died on the cross horses. How else could it be possible it could be possible for us to be saved.

With all the other criminals who died on the cross. Salvation was not made available to us, not because there's just could not their blood was tainted by sin to we need someone who is not of this world. Someone was not tainted, not impacted by sin to come into this world and to offer himself as a sin sacrifice for us so that we can have life as God the son of God. He has the authority, then to forgive sins we see in Matthew chapter 9 verse one through eight. As such, we see that God the son of God. He was worshiped in the New Testament, Matthew 14, verse 33 he was worshiped by man who was formerly a man who was formerly blind John chapter 9 and verse 38, after his resurrection, some worship him while others doubted. Even still on Matthew chapter 28 and verse 17 we know he was worshiped by his brother Wiseman came and they worshiped him, and they presented gifts to him. He was also worshiped by angels we see in Hebrews chapter 1 and verse six of understood he was God. The Jews understood the claims he made his disciples who walk close to him who knew him, they knew and they believe that he was son. The son of God that he was and is God himself. So hopefully after tonight, perhaps you can read this statement, perhaps you do have greater meaning to you. Perhaps you can understand like never before. Why it is you believe in Jesus as the son of God. Why is it important that he is the son of God, the son of God. The only one. A unique relationship with the father equal with the father.

He made that claim they understood it, and many tried to kill him because of the claims in conclusion, then it means that Jesus again same nature as God the father sin nature as Yahweh.

It means that Jesus was God in human form in the flesh. He was and still is God. It means that Jesus was and still is equal with the father. It means that he had a very special relationship with the father and we also have a relationship with him that we can come to him through the cross through the blood of Jesus Christ. No longer are we alienated no longer are we excluded even from the commonwealth of Israel. No longer are we are far off, but those of us who know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we come to him as our Savior as our friend or Redeemer. He is every thing to us. He has saved us and he has the power to keep us thanks be to God were reminded in John 10 that nothing and no one can snatch us out of his hands. We are in his hands. He's in the father's hands. We have great security in him. But what about you this evening. You might not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Perhaps this is a new thought to you and Jesus the son of God is the same as God with us in humans � you might have come here this evening not knowing Christ.

Therefore, a sinner which you need to begin at the foot of the cross recognize in your weakness.

Your sinfulness, your lostness, your hopelessness outside of Jesus Christ but also to know that whereas you and I myself could do absolutely nothing to work our way into relationship with God the father that would meet was made possible through the cross. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and what you must do to have this relationship with him is to confess him to confess your sin to him. Thank him for dying on the cross for you trust him as your Lord and Savior, the one who has the authority, the power, the one who died for you and for me on the cross. He's offering you eternal life tonight and I pray regardless of the big game happening this demand and whatever is happening in your life you will not leave here without trust in this Jesus Christ. This son of God, the second person of the Trinity, God himself who loves you, to the point of death, he gave his life on the cross for you so you can have eternal life. You can have a relationship with him.

For those of us who are believers, just to understand this a bit better. Share it with others along the way for his namesake