In the essentials unity, in the non essential liberty, and above all love - CS Lewis quote from Augustine

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1 FOUNDATIONS ESSENTIAL #1: THE DIETY OF CHRIST PAGE 1 OF 5 In the essentials unity, in the non essential liberty, and above all love - CS Lewis quote from Augustine ESSENTIALS vs. NON ESSENTIALS We take a closed-hand/open-hand approach in regards to doctrine, politics, traditions, etc - The closed hand grabs firmly onto the non-negotiable doctrines of Christian orthodoxy: sin is the problem, Jesus is the answer, the Bible is true, etc... - The open hand, however, allows room for differences when it comes to secondary issues; we allow freedom for conscience and wisdom to guide where the Bible is silent. THE ESSENTIALS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE! WE BELIEVE UNEQUIVOCALLY IN THE DEITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; JESUS BEING BOTH FULLY MAN AND FULLY GOD. Deity comes from Dios, the Greek word for God. Christ Greek for Messiah = Jesus the Messiah is God Major issue Islam has with Christianity is they believe Jesus is not God - Prophet, Good teacher, but not God CULTS DENY JESUS DEITY - Muslims o They believe Jesus was a prophet, good teacher, not God. - Jehovah Witnesses o They use the New World Translation o They claim Jesus, at best was a god o They claim He (Jesus) is Michael the archangel, not God Himself. - Mormons o Add book to the bible, Book of Mormon o They believe Jesus was not God. They believe He was a spirit given a human body like all of humanity. o Believe Jesus and satan fought for the privilege of receiving a human body and becoming the redeemer. Why do these cults, among many others, argue against the truth that Jesus is God? They maintain Jesus never claimed to be God. Today we will prove from Scripture that JESUS IS INDEED GOD. The Bible is full of reasons, from the front cover to the back cover, for us to conclude and believe that Jesus is fully God. Lets look at the LARGE AMOUNT OF SCRIPTURAL PROOF!

2 FOUNDATIONS ESSENTIAL #1: THE DIETY OF CHRIST PAGE 2 OF 5 Let s first look at Old Testament prophecy and compare it to New Testament revelation. Also, we will certainly learn that Jesus claimed to be fully God. It is clear in scripture that Jesus was God incarnate. He was fully man and fully God. Just as the Father is fully God, the Holy Spirit is fully God, so Jesus also is fully God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. MIGHTY GOD; EVERLASTING FATHER Isaiah 10:21 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. FIRST AND LAST; NO OTHER GOD Isaiah 44:6 "This is what the LORD says Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Revelation 1: I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lamp stands, 13 and among the lamp stands was someone "like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. GOD IS I AM Exodus 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say tthem, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

3 FOUNDATIONS ESSENTIAL #1: THE DIETY OF CHRIST PAGE 3 OF 5 IN THE SEPTUIGENT I AM = EGO EIMI John 8:58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am (Ego eimi)!" QUESTION: How do we know Jesus was claiming to be God? By the Jew s reaction. The people knew the deep truth of Jesus answer. John 8:59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him NOTE: Punishment for blasphemy, under the law, was stoning. MIRACLES Luke 7:14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" NOTE: Prophets of old would declare, The Lord says Jesus, however, would speak and heal by His own authority. ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. NOTE: Only God has the power to forgive sins. Mark 2:5-7 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Nowsome teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" NOTE: The response of the Sadducees confirms Jesus claim to be God. ONLY GOD IS WORSHIPED Jesus received worship without hesitation. (a clear claim to be God) Matthew 4:10 you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. John 9:38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. Matthew 14:33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Matthew 28: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him

4 FOUNDATIONS ESSENTIAL #1: THE DIETY OF CHRIST PAGE 4 OF 5 NOTE: Others denied worship o Acts 10: Peter o Acts 14: Paul and Barnabas o Revelation 19: An angel Worship was explicitly denied because the recipients of the worship were not God. Jesus makes no move to deny worship. JESUS WAS GOD INCARNATE Colossians 1: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 2:9 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. John 20:28 Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God! SAVIOR OF THE WORLD Isaiah 45:21 Declare what is to be, present it let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. John 4:42 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." NOTE: In Isaiah, God makes it clear that there is no Savior but He. Jesus is clearly declared our Savior in the Gospel of John. OTHER BIBLICAL DECLARATIONS OF THE DEITY OF CHRIST John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." Matthew 12:6-8 The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

5 FOUNDATIONS ESSENTIAL #1: THE DIETY OF CHRIST PAGE 5 OF 5 John 1:1-3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Judge Matthew 25:31-46 Light John 8:12 Glory of God John 17:1, 5 Alpha and Omega Revelation 1:17, 2:8 Redeemer Revelation 5:9 Forgiver of Sins Mark 2:7 Creator of Men John 1:3 Creator of Angels Colossians 1:16 Worshiped by Men Matthew 14:33 Worshiped by Angels Hebrews 1:6 Addressed in Prayer Acts 7:59 A Manifestation of God John 14:9 Fills the Whole Universe Ephesians 4:10 Owns Everything John 16:15 Daniel 7:13 To be worshiped by all men and nations in his kingdom over which he will have eternal dominion Phil 2:10-11 Where every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. NOTES: