That is, as we talked to sinners we would take it for granted that they understood that Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph, but more important, that He is the DIVINE SON OF GOD.
In past years very seldom have we come across anyone who did not believe this Biblical truth. However, this is something we can no longer take for granted. Why? At least two things have caused the general public to turn away from these eternal truths.
1. MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DEITY OF CHRIST BECAUSE OF PRESENT-DAY TECHNOLOGY. Technology makes it possible to spread the gospel around the world via radio, television, the printed page, and computer connections. However, this same technology makes it possible for Satan to spread his damnable teachings around the world, and that is exactly what he is doing. If you find that hard to believe, all you have to do is listen to some of the things that are being taught and preached. When you listen to some television preachers, you understand what Paul meant when he stated that in the last days people will have itching ears. There are a lot of television preachers who are “tickling” their “itching” ears.
Illus: Many television and radio preachers are like politicians. Before they ever preach they want to take a poll to see what the people want to hear. Once they determine what they want to hear, they proceed to preach precisely what they want to hear.
Make no mistake about it, these false teachers have begun to change many people’s theology through their use of these powerful tools that modern technology has put at their disposal.
There is another reason to be concerned about the teaching of THE DEITY OF CHRIST.
2. MANY DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DEITY OF CHRIST BECAUSE OF THE SPREADING OF FALSE DOCTRINE BY MEMBERS OF THE CULTS. Many churches have ceased to evangelize their neighborhoods for Christ. While they no longer make the effort to spread the PURE BIBLICAL DOCTRINES, the cults are doubling their efforts to spread their FALSE DOCTRINES.
Many people in America grew up believing in the deity of Christ, but later renounced their belief in Christ and joined a cult that teaches Christ is no more than an ordinary man. Let me give you an example.
Illus: The Islamic religion, that requires that a person denounce the deity of Christ, is sweeping across America. We once poured millions of dollars into missionary efforts in Islamic countries to spread the gospel of Christ. Today the Islamic countries are pouring billions of dollars into America to convert Americans to this damnable false teaching of Islam.
We can no longer take it for granted that the majority of Americans believe in THE DEITY OF CHRIST!
Illus: Many were shocked at the television documentary, September 1995, that reported that New Orleans led the nation in number of murders committed for that year. The city officials decided the best way to eliminate the problem was to buy the pot-bellied Buddha statues and place them in strategic places around the city so the murderers could pray to them. They felt that they then would not commit murder.
Listen, they can place Buddha idols on every corner, but the murder will continue. Why? Praying to a piece of wood, metal, or clay does not phase a murderer. They can pray to an idol five times a day but it will do them no good. There is ample proof of this.
Illus: Look at the record of the countries where the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not recognized. These are classified as “third world” countries. They have:
- Violence in the streets of their cities that is equal to a war zone.
- Mass starvation.
This is not because they do not pray. The problem is they pray to dead gods. A dead god can not HEAR or HELP anyone.
Only when people believe in and pray to the living God will their prayers be answered - not until then!
The Bible clearly declares, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
The Bible teaches unequivocally that the only way we can get to God is through His precious, divine Son.
Illus: Notice, even though Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virtuous and chosen woman, the Bible does not say she stands between God and man as our mediator. God does not want us to wonder about how to get to God. His Word, the Bible, says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Why is Jesus that special person? Because Jesus is more than a man. Jesus is the DIVINE SON OF GOD!
Does the Bible teach that? Yes, it teaches that from cover to cover. Let us look at some scriptures to see the deity of Christ. We see first...
I. THE FATHER AFFIRMED IT FROM HEAVEN.
Look at Matthew 3:17. We read, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Through the ages there have been men who would stand before the crowds and tell them they were the Messiah, the Son of God. Some of the listeners, out of sheer ignorance, accepted what they said as truth. Listen, God did not want us wondering if Christ WAS or WAS NOT the divine Son of God. God, the Father, at the Lord’s baptism, said from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
This verse of scripture tells us three important things. Notice, it says...
- “MY...SON.” This points to the deity of Christ.
- “MY BELOVED SON.” This points to the love within the Godhead.
- “WELL PLEASED.” This points to the perfect life that Jesus lived.
This passage of scripture teaches that God saw the life and behavior of Jesus Christ, His Son, and decided He was “well pleased” with Him. Not only was He well pleased, He proclaimed to the people there, and to us, that He was well pleased!
The same Bible that tells of God’s being pleased with Christ also tells us that God can see our life and behavior. One day He shall judge us! We read in Luke 12:2, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.”
When that time comes, may He be able to say to us, (Matt. 25:21), “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...”
Although we will have to wait until the judgment to hear Him say those words about us, we do not have to wait to see if God approved of the life of Christ. The Bible already tells us that THE FATHER AFFIRMED IT FROM HEAVEN. Also, when it comes to the deity of Christ, notice...
II. THE DEMONS ACKNOWLEDGED IT FROM HELL.
Look at Mark 3:11. We read, “And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.”
In this scripture we see the Lord as He encountered evil spirits. Some have the mistaken idea that God and the devil are an almost even match when it comes to power and might. I can assure you that if you believe that, you do not know the God of this Bible. Look at this verse. It teaches us two things.
A. The evil spirits were subject to Jesus. Notice, when the Lord approached them, the Bible says they “FELL DOWN BEFORE HIM...”
Illus: The devil encourages people to broadcast all over town that they do not believe God exists, but listen, he knows better! When the Lord came in his direction, THE DEMONS FELL DOWN BEFORE HIM.
Did you know that the Bible says one day EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW! Today they may:
- Reject Him.
- Ignore Him.
- Snub Him.
- Curse Him.
But, one day they are going to BOW TO HIM! Also notice,
B. The evil spirits acknowledged who Jesus was. The crowd was pressing to touch Him, but the evil spirits saw Him and bowed down before Him. It was not because they desired to worship Him. It was because:
1. Because they had to recognize HIS DEITY. They bowed before Him. The second reason is...
2. Because of fear. They were afraid He would cast them out and send them to hell before the end time.
We live in an age today when people do not want to hear about hell. Nevertheless, hell is real, hell is hot, and hell is eternal. The demons did not want to go to that dreadful place. They were afraid and pleaded with Jesus not to send them there yet.
THE DEMONS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEITY OF CHRIST. Also.
III. THE DISCIPLES CONFESSED IT IN FAITH.
Look at Matthew 16:16. We read, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus knew that GOD, THE FATHER, knew He was His divine Son. Also, He knew that the DEMONS knew who He was, but He wanted to make sure the DISCIPLES knew who He was.
He asked them one day, (Matt. 16:13b), “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” This is one of the most important questions that a person can be asked. That is, people can not be saved if they do not know that Christ is the divine Son of God.
Illus: If Christ were not the divine Son of God, when He died on the cross, He did not die for our sins, He died for His own. Had He not been the Son of God, He would have been in need of a Savior just as we are in need of a Savior.
Notice, Christ first asked, “...WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I...AM?” It is important to us that we know what others think of Christ because we know they can not be saved if they do not believe in the deity of Christ. Also, notice that Christ also wanted to know WHO HIS DISCIPLES THOUGHT HE WAS. You see, the whole world can believe in the deity of Christ, but if we do not believe, we can not be saved!
Peter knew exactly what the Lord was driving at and he said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Over and over again the disciples CONFESSED THAT CHRIST WAS THE SON OF GOD.
Illus: Remember the time when the disciples were on that ship with the Lord and the Lord calmed the storm? In Matthew 14:33, they confessed, “...Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”
THE DISCIPLES CONFESSED IT!
IV. THE CENTURION AVOWED IT IN FEAR.
Look at Matthew 27:54. We read, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
As the centurion stood at the foot of the cross and looked at Jesus taking that last breath, the Bible says the earth quaked. The centurion most likely had seen many executed in like fashion many times, but when Christ died on that cross and the earth began to shake, he knew Christ was no ordinary man! The Bible says, he avowed, “...Truly this was the Son of God.”
V. THE SINNERS BELIEVE IT UNTO SALVATION.
Look at John 20:31. We read, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
As you hear people talk, some would have us believe we are saved through some “set formula,” by saying just the right words.
Illus: In fact, one professing Christian had doubts about his salvation because he was not sure he had said the right words.
Listen, we are not saved by our saying of a magic combination of words. We are saved because we recognize we are lost, and realizing Jesus is the divine Son of God Who saves all who call upon Him, we do that -- we call upon Him for salvation!
Acts 4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Conclusion: Let us never take for granted this great truth of the deity of Christ!
I. THE FATHER AFFIRMED IT FROM HEAVEN
II. THE DEMONS ACKNOWLEDGED IT FROM HELL
III. THE DISCIPLES CONFESSED IN FAITH
IV. THE CENTURION AVOWED IT IN FEAR
V. THE SINNERS BELIEVE IT UNTO SALVATION
