Monday 3 March 2014

Read: John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus is God

The first thing that we learn about God the Son is that He is God. God the Son is not just some mask that God the Father wears at some point in history as Modalism would teach (see notes for February 22). God the Son is just as much God as is God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Even before He became a man and was born as Jesus Christ, God the Son existed throughout eternity past and will continue to exist into eternity future as an equal member of the Godhead, as God.

Since the beginning of the church many have sought to deny this crucial teaching and deny the deity of God the Son. In 325AD the Council of Nicaea was convened to confirm this truth and to counter the teaching of Arianism, an ancient heresy teaching that Jesus was essentially an angel, the highest created being but not God. The Council of Nicaea denied this teaching and confirmed the teaching of the early church and the Deity of God the Son writing: "And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father [the only-begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God], Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father."

Witness Moment
Isn't it amazing how God brings the mission field right to our doors? Do you take full advantage of this opportunity that is literally knocking on your door? Are you willing to invest the time and effort required to share the gospel with these people? Are you prepared to answer their false teaching? Consider setting aside some time to research how you can respond and be praying that God would prepare you to take full advantage of every opportunity.

The Arian heresy has carried on through the history of the church and even today some groups deny the deity of God the Son. Two such groups are the Jehovah's Witnesses who teach that Jesus is a created being, and the Mormons who teach that Jesus is a god but a lesser being than God the Father.

In opposition to the teaching of these groups God's Word clearly teaches that God the Son is God. In John 1 we read that the Word (revealed to be Jesus, God the Son in verse 14) has existed since the very beginning of time. Not only has the Word existed but He was with God and He was God. If that's not enough evidence for us John makes it even clearer saying: "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made."

God the Son is not a created being. He is God. Through Him all things were made and nothing was made without Him. Jesus cannot be a created being of any description because nothing was created without Him.

The writer of Hebrews is even more explicit about the Deity of God the Son. Notice especially verse 3 of chapter 1: "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word."

We could point to countless other verses which show the Deity of God the Son. He is not merely some created being, made along with the rest of creation. He is God. More incredibly, God the Son chose to be born as a human being, to live, suffer and die as Jesus Christ for our sake and to be raised from death. Jesus is not just a nice teacher or a cuddly friend who can help us when we need it. Jesus is God the Son Himself, the all powerful creator God of the universe come to be amongst His people. We must always remember the wonder of who Jesus truly is and praise Him as God.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

Are you prepared to defend the Deity of Christ when people come knocking on your door? As a group do some research on these false religions and come up with a plan for defending the Deity of Christ next time they knock on your door. If it helps, practice your responses together until you can remember them. If you would like some suggestions for where to start, contact the church office.

Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration: 

Confession: 

Thanks:

Supplication:

• Praise Jesus for who He is. Praise Him that He is indeed God the Son who has existed from eternity past. Praise Him that He is all powerful, all knowing and worthy of all praise. Praise Him that He indeed is God and worthy of your worship.
• Pray for the small groups and families in your church who will be meeting through the week to study God's word together and to encourage one another. Pray that their time would be fruitful and encouraging for all involved. Pray that they might grow in their love for God and their love for one another.