December 14, 2008

The Christ We Know
"The Mighty God"

Know3.mp3
Pastor Wade Burleson
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Enid OK

Names in Scripture represent character. In our text, Jesus is called "The Mighty God."

1. That Jesus is "The Mighty God" is a statement that is easily sustained.
   To call Jesus "The Mighty God" is the same as saying Jehovah, God, Creator, etc.
   1. The Bible declares this to be true.
      In eight passages, Jesus is described by the Greek word Theos (God): John 1:1-3; 1:18; 20:28; Romans 9:5; Titus 2:1; Hebrews 1:8; II Peter 1:1; I John 5:20. Divine attributes, such as eternality (Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1,2; Revelation 1:8), omnipresence (Matthew 18:20; 28:20; John 3:13), omniscience (John 2:24,25; 21:17; Revelation 2:23), omnipotence (Isaiah 9:6; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 1:8), immutability (Hebrew 1:10-12); 13:8), and, in general, every attribute of God is ascribed to Jesus Christ Himself. "For in Jesus Christ the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9).
   2. Jesus demonstrates this to be true.
      Jesus forgives the sinner, then heals him of his paralysis (Mark 2:1-12). Jesus calms the storm on the sea by simply saying, "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:35-41). The greatest evidence of Jesus being the Mighty God is His power over death. Jesus raised the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11;17), Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18-26; Luke 8:40-56), and Lazarus from the grave (John 11:1-44).
   3. The Gospel demands this to be true.
      "I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:44). The "He" in italics is added. Jesus is simply saying I am "The IAM" (Yahweh; the Hebrew name for God).
   
   
   
2. That Jesus is "The Mighty God" is a confession that causes conflict.
   We live in a day when we are free to talk of our belief in God, our love and devotion to God, and our worship of God. But once you mention that Jesus is God, watch out! Some say that Jesus is a good teacher and we should simply follow his teachings. "Blessed are you when people revile you, persecute you . . . on my account" (Matthew 5:11). When the Muslim or the Mormon, the Jew or the Jehovah's Witness, the Hindu or the heathen tell you that we all serve the same God -- it is just simply not the case.
   
   
3. That Jesus is "The Mighty God" is a truth that transforms broken lives.
   This adjective "Mighty" comes from a word that deals with warfare and strength. The Bible tells us about "David's mighty men." One of them, Jashobeam (yaw-shob-awm'), raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed one encounter! Another was Eleazar, who single-handedly defeated a regiment of Philistine soldiers. Benaiah struck down two of Moab's best, a lion and a 7'6" giant (I Chronicles 11:10-14). The Bible tells us that Jesus is "The Mighty God." The Lord is a warrior (Exodus 15:3). Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). May you be granted the grace to never treat Jesus with worldly, polite, patronizing approval! Instead, may you say to Jesus, with Thomas: "My Lord and my God." If the Mighty God be for us, who can be against us?" is a rhetorical question -- nobody can.