Identity Of A Carpenter

Intro:

It is the most important question of our day. Movies like the Da Vinchi code, Discovery specials, and time magazine articles are all saying who is this man?

Are you ready to give them and accurate and timely response? Paul said we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that lies within us. Do you have your testimony ready at a moments notice? It is not only the pastor and preachers that should be instant in season and out of season. All God’s people have the privilege and responsibility to answer the worlds question “Who is this man.”

Luke 8.25 “Who then is this that He commands even the winds and the water to obey Him?” (A question of Identity)

Now before you think too badly of His disciples let’s think what they have seen so far

1. He has changed water into wine at Cana (John 2.1-11)

2. He healed a nobleman’s son at Cana (John 4.46-54)

3. He healed Peter’s mother-in-law Capernaum (Matthew 8.14-17; Mark 1.29-34; Luke 4.38-41)

There have been many healers in the lives of Israel. But Jesus has just stood up in their boat and commanded nature to sit down!!

I. Jesus is Sovereign

Definition of Sovereign: One that exercises supreme, permanent authority

Matthew 28.18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

A) Jesus is the supreme authority for our lives

What problems of children and church would be fixed in our culture if this were recognized by more Christians!!! What problems of state and government if that same government founded on principles of God’s moral law recognized His supreme authority!!!

Two options exist when authority is present

1) First Option: Recognize it and accept it

According to the Nelson Illustrated Commentary

Who can this be: This is the real question of Jesus’ entire Galilean ministry, the beginning of which is recorded in 4:14. All of the displays of Jesus’ authority during this ministry were designed to raise this question of His identity

Rev 19.6 “Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying. Hallelujah! For the Lord Our God, the Almighty reigns.

a) A day is coming when all will recognize Jesus’ Authority

Philippians 2.10-11 “so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow of those who are in heaven (angels), and on earth (mankind) and under the earth(dead, demons) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.”

b) A confession of what is already rightfully His

Romans 10.9, 10

A. W. TOZER

Do you want to be filled with a Spirit who, though he is like Jesus in his gentleness and love, will nevertheless demand to be Lord of your life? Are you willing to let your personality be taken over by another, even if that other be the Spirit of God himself? If the Spirit takes charge of your life he will expect unquestioning obedience in everything. He will not tolerate in you the self-sins even though they are permitted and excused by most Christians. . . . You will find the Spirit to be in sharp opposition to the easy ways of the world and of the mixed multitude within the precincts of religion. He will be jealous over you for good. He will not allow you to boast or swagger or show off. He will take the direction of your life away from you. He will reserve the right to test you, to discipline you, to chasten you for your soul’s sake. He may strip you of many of those borderline pleasures which other Christians enjoy but which are to you a source of refined evil. Through it all he will enfold you in a love so vast, so mighty, so all-embracing, so wondrous that your very losses will seem like gains and your small pains like pleasure.

2) Second Option: Ignore and reject it

Some say Jesus is an example, a prophet, a teacher, a good man. The only problem is that none of these can deal with the problem of man. (How silly)

With the statements Jesus made He is either sovereign or Satan, The Lord or a Lunatic. He is Lord!!!

Man’s problem is Ignoring and rebelling against God’s authority (sin)

What happens to most rebels? – Death

The Latin root of “authority” and “authentic” means “that which allows growth and life.” Our resentment of the authority of God in Christ is, therefore, foolish

The fool has said in His heart there is not God.

Dr Adrian Rogers: Where Jesus isn’t allowed to rule He overrules.

Where Jesus is not allowed to rule with grace and mercy