Who is Jesus?
(What is His name?}
December 25, 2011
Introduction
Today is December 25th. It is know officially as Christmas. We briefly discussed a bit of the history of Christmas three weeks ago today, so we will not redo that lesson, but we will ask, “Who is Jesus?” “What is His name?”
I have a tie with many names of Jesus. Here is the list: Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Messiah, Alpha and Omega, Emmanuel, King of Kings, Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd, Deliverer, My rock, my Salvation, Almighty, Righteous Judge, The Way, the Truth, the Life; Savior, Anointed One.
That is quite a list, and we will not focus on any of those names directly this morning. Instead, we will discuss two names that I don’t see on the list: The Son of God, and The Son of Man. Both of these names are very important, and we need to understand both as completely as possible.
Body
I. He is described in scripture as the Son of Man 32 times in the gospel according to Matthew.
- He is described as the Son of God 8 times, and five of those with an “If” either stated, or implied.
- He is the Son of Man by nature of His birth.
(Mat 1:18-21 NKJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. {19} Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. {20} But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. {21} "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
1. Mary is His mother, making Him human
2. God was His Father, making Him the Son of God.
(Mat 1:18-21 NKJV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
- As the Son of man, he is described as the second Adam.
(1 Cor 15:45 NKJV) And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
- As the Son of Man, He was tempted as we are.
(Heb 4:15-16 NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- As the Son of Man, He died for our sins. God cannot die!
(Heb 10:5-7 NKJV) Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. {6} In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. {7} Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God.'"
II. He is the Son of God, not God.
- Jesus was tempted, God cannot be tempted.
(James 1:13 NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
- There is only One God!
(Deu 6:4 NKJV) "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
1. The Bible speaks of God alone creating the earth.
(Isa 44:24 NKJV) Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;
2. God Himself declares there is no other God, but Him.
(Isa 45:5-7 NKJV) I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, {6} That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; {7} I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'
III. Things not in your Bible.
- There is no “God in three persons, Blessed Trinity.”
How do we have the expression “Trinity”? According to James Rendel Harris (1852–1941), the doctrine developed as early Christians tried to reconcile the traditional Jewish monotheism recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures with their portrayal of Jesus as also divine.” From Wikipedia
- There is no “Great One in three.”
1. Jesus as the Son, acknowledged that He does not know everything that God knows.
(Mat 24:36 NASB) "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
2. Scripture shows that God the Father is greater than the Son.
(1 Cor 15:27 NKJV) For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
IV. Jesus both Son of God and Son of Man with a most important name.
A. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.
(Phil 2:9-11 NKJV) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, {11} and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
B. Salvation is in the name of Jesus.
(Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
- Jesus is our Savior, if we will accept Him.
(1 Tim 1:15 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Conclusion
Is Jesus your Savior?
Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.