I Am The Son Of God

I AM - I AM the Son of God

June 10, 2018

John 10:36-39 (p. 748)

Introduction:

One of my least favorite people to deal with in this world is a “bully.” Bullies prey on those who they think are weaker than them…either physically or emotionally…they use their perceived strength to make themselves look stronger/better than those they try to intimidate.

But when someone is really strong either physically, emotionally, or spiritually they use their strength to help those who are weak…I call these people heroes.

We’ve never been real crazy about bullies in America…Our revolution began because colonists thought the British Monarchy had become a bully…taxing and intimidating with it’s troops.

The greatest generation our country has ever seen…men like Mr. Cecil, Brownie Wood, Jack Burdette and many others…stormed the beaches of Normandy and the Black Forest of Germany…and the sands of Iwo Jima…because bullies were killing millions and attacking weaker countries.

Hollywood makes billions of dollars every year off our hatred of bullies. Rocky 46 and The Karate Kid part 14 will both come out this summer. Whether we’re cheering for Rudy or Seabiscuit, we love to see the bully go down in flames and the underdog win.

We want David to knock Goliath on his behind every single time!

[One of the worst beatings I ever received in a fight was when I was 12 years old…the guy that did the beating was 17. We were playing football in our backyard. Most of the guys that were there were Sam’s friends…they were older…one of those friends brought another guy we didn’t know…and in the midst of the game this guy hit my brother from behind…and hurt him…I remember going after this guy because I was so angry, it was really dirty. The problem was I was 12 and about 5 feet tall…He was 17 and about 6 feet tall and outweighed me by 50 pounds. He threw me in the bushes and started to beat on me…just punching away…When I think of a bully…this guy’s face pops into my mind.

My favorite part of the story is Charlie Marx…Charlie was over 6 feet…he was an athlete…played basketball at Lafayette…He’d been my brother’s friend since birth…Their family lived next to our backyard.

Charlie almost always said, “Ricky, you can play on our team…I remember staring out from the bushes as Charlie grabbed this guy and drug him out of the yard…and told him in no uncertain terms to get lost…one of those guys was a bully…one of them was a hero.

Here’s something really important to remember this morning…

I. THINKING WE ARE gods DOESN’T LEAVE ROOM FOR THE ONE WHO IS GOD!

The Feast of Dedication called Hanukah, is taking place in Jerusalem as Jesus walks into the Temple…the Jews gather around Him and demand…

“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ…tell us plainly!”

And Jesus plainly answers them…“I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.”

And then Jesus says…“I and the Father are one.”

And they go ballistic…they pick up rocks to stone Him to death.”

And Jesus asks, “For which of the great miracles from the Father are you going to stone me?”

And they say, “We’re not stoning you for any of these…we’re going to stone you for blasphemy…you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

If anyone ever tells you Jesus never claimed to be God…point them to John 10:34-39.

JOHN 10:34-39 (p. 748)

In this section of scripture…answering the question of blasphemy (claiming to be god), Jesus quotes from Psalm 82…which begins “God presides in the great assembly; He renders judgment among the gods.” The word He uses is “Elohim” not Jehovah…and it means someone in authority who judges…“someone who rules over others.” And then the next 5 verses talk about how Israel’s judges and rulers have “defended the unjust,” ignored the weak and fatherless, have understood nothing about God’s intended laws…and then the verse that Jesus quotes is mentioned…

“I have said you are “god,” you are all sons of the Most High, but you will die like mere mortals.” (Ps. 82:6-7)

The whole point of Psalm 82 is that earthly judges must act with impartiality and true justice, because even judges must stand someday before the judge. Verse 6 and 7 warn human magistrates that they, too, must be judged: “I said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” This passage is saying that God has appointed men to positions of authority in which they are considered as gods among the people. They are to remember that, even though they are representing God in this world, they are mortal and must eventually give an account to God for how they use that authority.