God, But Man (Strange, But True!)

The Son was both God and Man to restore His creation

1. Jesus really was a man

a. Stepped out of heaven to be like us

b. He was born just like us, lived like us, grew up like us

c. Lived a humble lifestyle and pinched pennies

d. He got tired like us

i. Crowds followed him everywhere

ii. He got tired and had to get away from work, like us (Matthew 14:13)

e. Got angry when He saw temple turned into Walmart (John 2:14-16)

f. People lied about him, bullied Him

g. He felt pain, hurt and bled Died – that’s the ultimate humanity

2. Jesus really was God

a. Characteristics of God: Creator (v16), almighty (Matt 28:18), unchangeable (Heb 13:8), and eternal (John 1:1-2)

b. Forgave sin (Matt 9:2), proved it by healing a paralyzed man (Matt 9:5-6)

c. His words have power

i. Tired preacher laid down to sleep in a boat

ii. Storm came, disciples scared, “don’t you care we’re going to die!” (Mark 4:38)

iii. Jesus calmed storm (Mark 4:39), disciples amazed (Mark 4:41)

d. Lived a perfect life, tempted but sinless

i. After baptism, went into wilderness for 40-days, tempted by the Devil

ii. No food, Jesus got hungry… first temptation, we would have failed

e. Jesus was called God (John 20:28) by Thomas, one of the disciples

3. What does it mean to me?

a. Jesus lived a life we can’t attain

i. Jesus followed the law… all of the law

ii. Example: command to obey parents… Jesus did that

iii. How well did we follow mom & dad?

b. Jesus payed a price we couldn’t afford

i. Price of sin is death… one sin, one death… how many lives can we offer?

ii. Parable of the king who wished to settle accounts, have patience with me (Mat 18:26-27)

iii. Jesus paid off the huge debt we can’t afford

iv. Mercy, much like the king

c. Jesus payed the price for everyone

i. Jesus was more than a man, He was also an eternal God

ii. It took an infinite God to pay an infinite price for a nearly infinite number of sins

iii. Paid for sins past and future

iv. As both God and man, Jesus served as the mediator

1. Demands of a perfect God vs imperfection of sinful mankind

2. No-one else could restore harmony between God and men

4. Conclusion

a. Needed to be man

i. Had to be flesh and blood to act in our place

ii. Had to live under the law, couldn’t live under the law as God

b. Needed to be God

i. Had to fulfill the law perfectly, couldn’t fulfill the law as man

ii. Needed the eternal nature of God to pay an infinite price for all people, for all time

c. Close (Acts 4:12)