God the Son, Part 2 Heb. 1:1-3
INTRO.: Today I want to continue our series of messages on “The God We Worship.” Last week, we considered God the Son in His relation to the Father. We said He is the Word of God Who became flesh to live among us and because of His death on the cross, received all the authority of God. He now rules in the Church and in the hearts of all men who will believe in Him.
This message centers on the work of God the Son in the areas of creation, providence, and redemption. We want to look at what He has done, what He is doing, and what He wants to do in the future.
I. His part in creation. Heb. 1:2 “through whom he made the universe.”
A. When in the flesh, He did some amazing things:
1. He turned water into wine. John 2:1-11
2. He fed 5000 with a small boy’s lunch.
3. These were tiny demos of His creative power. A “piece of cake” for the Creator of the universe.
4. But creative acts nonetheless. No one else could do them.
B. He was present with the Father at creation of the universe. Gen. 1:1
1. “God” is plural. “Elohim.” Indicates Father, Word, Holy Spirit.
2. Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” Plural indicates communication between Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
3. Col 1:15-16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created”
C. When we bring our needs to Him, we bring them to the One Who created the worlds.
1. There can be no doubt He can do what we ask.
2. We must also trust His wisdom to know exactly what we need. He knows better than we know.
3. He can meet our needs, but sometimes, He knows better.
II. His part in providence:
A. The story of how Jesus paid His taxes and Peter’s: Matt. 17:24-27
1. Jesus made it clear He didn’t owe taxes. He owns the world.
2. Then He once again demonstrated His power by providing the needed resources.
3. He is also present to provide for our needs. Trust Him.
B. Providence goes beyond just meeting financial needs. He sustains the universe by His power. Heb. 1:3
1. The stars are held in place by His power
2. Every human being receives his breathe of life from God.
3. Acts 17:28 ’For in him we live and move and have our being.’
C. But, His care also comes down to a personal level:
1. His care for the children of Israel in the wilderness: I Cor. 10:3, 4
2. He sees the sparrow fall and numbers the hairs of our heads.
3. He loves us like a Father and provides for our daily needs. Matt. 7:9-11.
III. His part in redemption: Rom 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. “
A. The story of the Ethiopian illustrates this most important activity of God the Son. Acts 8:26-40.
1. Phillip is led by the Holy Spirit to a traveler.
2. He is reading the clearest prophecy of the sacrifice of Jesus in all the prophets. God is at work. 32, 33
3. His mind is open to the Gospel. He is a seeker.
B. But, there is one thing he needs to understand:
1. “Of whom does the prophet write?” He hasn’t heard of Jesus.
2. This passage, Isa 53, speaks of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus - His redemptive work.
3. Phillip preached Jesus as the One of whom the prophet spoke.
C. The conclusion of the story is the Ethiopian’s baptism:
1. It was based on his faith in Jesus. V. 37. (ASV)
2. Required both of them to go down into the water and come up out of the water.
3. This imitates the redemptive act of the God the Son. Rom. 6:3-6
CONC.: Eph. 1:10 says God’s purpose in Christ is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, Christ. God’s will is summed up in Christ.
The greatest thing He has done is to die for the sins of all men. He fulfills our greatest need, which is deliverance from sin and its guilt.
“In loving kindness Jesus came my soul in mercy to reclaim. And from the depths of sin and shame, through grace, He lifted me."
