Jesus is God the Son, who lived, died, and is coming again.
Who is Jesus? This question represents, for Christians, what is probably the biggest source of challenge to their faith. Was He just a wise Sage? An ambitious zealot? An unknowable historical figure?
Most of the questions Christians face from Skeptics about Jesus ultimately center on his authority. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is God. He is the second person of the Eternal Trinity.
This lesson explores what scripture teaches regarding Jesus’ identity and Ministry. It establishes what is meant by calling Him Son of Man. We will explore his mission as Savior of the world, affirming that we need saving, and He alone can save us. We also affirm our blessed hope: Jesus is coming again. We must prepare ourselves, even as we help others prepare for his coming.
GOLDEN TEXT
Matthew 16:
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
1. SON OF GOD, SON OF MAN
A. Made in Human Likeness
Matthew 16:
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
……. What is the “rock” or the foundation that Jesus Christ has built his church on? Many believe that it is the type or display of person that characterized the life of Peter. The imperfect man being saved by Christ even though the struggles were always there.
I personally believe that it was even beyond the character of man his life portrayed, but in the previous verse where it says that “God revealed to Peter” that Jesus is The Christ, the Son of the living God.
This is the that “rock”, the revelation in a man’s heart that Jesus Christ really is the Son of God, which produces saving power!
Philippians 2:
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(Live with the same mentality as Christ Jesus)
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
…….He literally shared power and authority with God, mutually ruling the Kingdom of Heaven.
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
…….He wilfully gave up what was rightfully his to live as a man, not only as a man but a servant of men. The best of the best came to serve the rest.
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
…….He did what he didn’t have to do, giving himself in the most humiliating painful way, to make relationship available to all men.
(Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?)
…But he was obedient to the plan…
9 Wherefore (because of his accomplishments, because of his emptying of himself) God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
…….Through his resurrection and Ascension, Jesus demonstrated that He is God, fully exalted and entirely deserving of our worship. He is Son of Man and Son of God.
B. Agent of Reconciliation
Colossians 1:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
…….He is the image of the unseen God. When we look at him, his lifestyle and all character aspects, we see God manifest in the flesh. If you want to know what God looks like, look at Christ!
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
……. Jesus is creator of all things. This is what is meant by saying he is the firstborn of every creature. Before anything else was, he existed.
(Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
…….He is the head of all denomination of churches that put their faith and trust fully in him, knowing he is the only route to salvation.
…….He is the first that rose from the dead by his own power, and to an immortal life; though others were raised before him, and by him, yet not to a state of immortality!
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
…….Because the will of the father was fully accomplished, he has the deserving rights of all praises and deserve the glory and honor of all things good! It pleases God the Father that all power is shared with Him!
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
……. His death on the cross made the bridge to reconcile mankind with God in the relationship that was meant to be from the very beginning before the fall of Adam.
2. SUFFERING SERVANT
A. Despised and Regected
…….As foretold by the prophet Isaiah, people would not understand who Jesus was. He didn’t come in as a king in Royal apparel and bared little resemblance to what they expected.
Isaiah 53:
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
……When Jesus was on Earth conducting his ministry, great multitudes followed him. But, they were looking for a different Messiah. When the time came for Jesus’ sacrifice, he was completely rejected, even by his best friends the disciples.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
…….Even though he took away the sickness and sorrows of the people, because they were never satisfied, they thought him to be deservant of the punishment.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
…….He endured the punishment for our sinfulness. He did this for our sake, to provide the only means available to bring us peace with the father.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
…….All of us are like sheep at times, even in our innocence wonder into things we should not. But Jesus being the good shepherd will always come to our rescue, and take the punishment that was intended for us, because he loves us.
B. Empathizes With Our Weaknesses
Hebrews 4:
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
…….He is as the High Priest, but with no limitations. We can connect with him as he is connected with the Father!
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
…….He understands all (to be tired, hungry, experience betrayal and animosity) because he endured all. He could have used his divine power to escape all things but chose not to. He was just like us yet with no failure.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
……. And now because he knows our fight and has compassion on us with great understanding, we are invited to approach the Son of God with “boldness” to request help in our difficult times. What a thought!
?Question?……. Are we bold in our approach to the throne room in prayer? If not, what hinders our boldness?
…….One of the greatest tricks of the enemy is to bring guilt and shame with the thoughts of reasons why we are unworthy to approach the throne room.
We are not deserving to cry out to God because of anything we have done, but only because of what Jesus has done for all of us!
3. HE WILL COME AGAIN
A. A Preparing Place
John 14:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
…….The hardest thing to do for many of us is to believe. In times of trouble, heartaches and despair it becomes easy to wonder. This encouragement to the disciples must apply to us, we must believe all that Jesus said of himself, and that everything is moving according to his plan.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
……. In Bible times, Mansions were built as permanent Dwelling Places.
It was a single location that has an extended family. As children married, a room would be added to the house for them and their new family. Jesus is emphasis In this passage was to focus on our relationship. It will be a permanent dwelling place with God, everyone there will be welcomed as family for eternity.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
……. Though the disciples didn’t clearly understand the depths and seriousness of his encouragement, they, just as us, could look at his promises and be encouraged over and over by the thoughts that we would live with him eternally.
B. Coming to Bring Salvation
Hebrews 9:
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
……. Even though Our Lives focus should be on the encouraging promises that Christ May to us, we should always keep in mind the Dreadful future we would face without him.
Each person is accountable to God for what he or she has done in life. We will give an accountin to God.
(2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.)
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
……. Christ is coming to bring Salvation to those who are waiting and looking for him. Waiting is active, not passive. It means we are eager for his return. We look forward to it. We prepare ourselves spiritually, even as we help others prepare as well.
Look at how the Apostle Peter’s description of how we ought to wait for Christ’s coming:
2 Peter 3:
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God