Jesus Christ
I. He is God
a. The Bible declares that He is God Heb 1:8
Hebrews 1:8 (NIV) But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
b. He claimed to be God Matt 26:63-66
Matthew 26:63-66 (NIV) 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
c. He was involved in creation Jn 1:1-3, Col 1:16-17, Gen 1:1
John 1:1-3 (NIV) 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.
Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV) 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
d. He is the God of the burning bush Jn 8:58, Ex 3:14
John 8:58 (NIV) 58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
II. He is human
a. Born of a virgin Isa. 7:14, Matt 1:22-23
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV) 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 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."
b. Limited the use of His divine powers Phil 2:6-8, Matt 24:36
Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV) 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Matthew 24:36 (NIV) "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
III. He bore the punishment for our sin
a. Jesus is the only access to the Father Jn 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim 2:5
John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
b. He became our sin so we might receive His righteousness 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Pet 2:24
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 2:24 (NIV) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
c. Through Jesus we can have eternal life – an abundant life today and the guarantee of heaven in the future John 3:15, 10:10
John 3:15 (NIV) that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
