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.
Now, let’s look at how Jesus uses this passage. Jesus had just claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:25-30). The unbelieving Jews respond by charging Jesus with blasphemy, since He claimed to be God (verse 33). Jesus then quotes Psalm 82:6, reminding the Jews that the Law refers to mere men - albeit men of authority and prestige - as “gods.” Jesus’ point is this: you charge me with blasphemy based on my use of the title “Son of God”; yet your own Scriptures apply the same term to magistrates in general. If those who hold a divinely appointed office can be considered “gods,” how much more can the One whom God has chosen and sent.
Jesus is speaking to a group of people who believe they speak for God and have the authority to judge others…They believe they are quote, unquote, “Elohims”…Judges, gods (small g) before others…And Jesus says,
“You’ve heard my words…you’ve seen the miracles I’ve done in my Father’s name, but you don’t believe I AM God’s Son.”
He boldly says:
“What about the one the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, “I Am God’s Son.” Do not believe me unless I do the works of my father…”
They’ve witnessed the miracles…They’ve seen His heart and compassion of healing…feeding the hungry and resurrections. But, they still will not accept him and believe He’s God!!!
Even with miraculous testimonies…they were giving the wrong verdict as judges.
But before we say we’d never do that, we’d never waste that opportunity…maybe we’d better consider how much we’ve been entrusted with.
II. TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN…MUCH WILL BE DEMANDED
There’s a scripture in Luke chapter 12, verse 48 that says, “From everyone who has been given much…much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Jesus shares this truth after Peter asks Him a question…the question is “Are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
What parable you might ask? Listen:
LUKE 12:35-40 (p. 727)
Like servants waiting the return of their master at a wedding banquet…like the owner of a house that knows a thief is going to break in. Live expectantly.
By the way…in answer to Peter’s question…Jesus is telling this parable for everyone.
Not just the Pharisees who should have known more about the Messiah than anyone else…not just the crowd of Jewish people who had a heritage of being God’s chosen people, not just Peter, James, John and the other disciples…but everyone who hears the voice of the Good Shepherd and follows him.
If we believe Jesus is who He says He is we must live expectantly for the Son of God to return.
I believe with all my heart there are two characteristics that prove we believe Jesus when He says “I AM the Son of God”…two essential proofs we are living expectantly…
We become Inviters and Engagers.
Every one of us who have been saved…and given so much grace…so much forgiveness…so much freedom, need to remember…“From everyone who has been given much…much will be demanded…If we’ve been entrusted by God with much…much more will be asked.”
[My brother Sam and I are completely different…He’s gentle and a lot more quiet than me…It took Sam a little longer to get through High School than me, not because of his intellect…he is amazingly smart…but because in school he struggled with dyslexia…It was a struggle to read and learn in ways most of us take for granted…He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1970…long before many of the resources were available to help those who see numbers and letters differently than most of us…If I had worked as hard as Sam through the same period of time, I would have been required to have 3 PHD’s and 2 Masters degrees.]
My point is that each of us who have been saved through God’s amazing grace…might not have the same personalities or resources…but all of us have at least 1 talent given to us by the Master…And He expects us to put it to use while He’s gone.
Only those who don’t understand who He really is bury it in the dirt out of fear of punishment, or failure.
Inviters love God’s Son to such a degree that they want others to be part of His Kingdom. They look for opportunities to invite others to learn about Jesus and they trust the Holy Spirit to powerfully work in the lives of those they’ve invited.
Whether it’s the waiter that takes care of them at the restaurant, their barber, or someone they learn about who has a need on Facebook…the first step of making disciples is “Inviting.”
Faith comes by hearing the message of Christ…but how can they hear if no one tells them (Romans 10).
And if we believe Jesus’ claim “I AM the Son of God,” we become…
Engagers
We allow others into our lives…just like those in the early church…we open ourselves to helping others feel welcome into the family of God…We become intentional…whether it’s engaging new folks for lunch after church…or engaging with new folks for a game night at your house.
It’s safe and comfortable to only hang with your old crew…but it’s a choice that shuts the door for Kingdom growth.
Faith makes our heart race…it makes us nervous…it’s scary and uncomfortable, at least at first…But without faith it’s impossible to please God.
Hey…by faith, invite and engage this week. And trust God to provide the opportunity and power…after all, He is the Son of God.
