Living as if Jesus is God

Introduction:  A comfortable view of God?

Hosea 10:1-2– Israel is a luxuriant vinethat yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built;

as his country improved, he improved his pillars. 2 Their heart is false; now they must bear their guilt.  The Lord will break down their altars and destroy their pillars.

-Israel’s view of God, revealed that once they were blessed by God-they looked to continue blessing themselves, that their heart rested in the blessings of God and not God Himself…(this is proven by God destroying what was in the way of worship and true devotion)

-If were are not growing in devotion and true worship with God-we will look for what is required of Him, but not what is required from us…(so my mentality is always getting and receiving for my own pursuits/purpose-never really seeking what God may want from me…)

-the blessings of God are to generate in our hearts thanksgiving, that I look to give back in sacrifice and service-not think that I deserve these blessings, so I keep looking to receive and not worship/give…this was Israel and a false heart

Growing to give, on the level we receive…

Luke 12:48-But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given,of him much will be required,and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

-the principle is clear in regards to any relationship, that if you have received much, you must give much-if you don’t want much out of your relationship, don’t give back to it (and if you want frustration: don’t give to it and then expect much from it!)

-Most Christians would never argue that God hasn’t given them much-but why do we struggle to sacrifice and give back? (Jesus as God, demands our life-and it is the control of our life, that we struggle to give over to Him)

-Because what I feel is right, is what I want to control and do!-But because we are riddled with sin/selfishness, we must learn not to trust ourselves and our ways as life, but His.  

Proverbs 14:12-There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

-it seems right b/c it appeals to what I want to do, but when I am living as if Jesus is God-I am fighting (elaborate) against what I think, versus what He demands…

Yet some of us will fight this demand, and harden ourselves to His demands-proving that we may not believe or at least not living as if Jesus is God…(because if Jesus is God, I will be growing in laying my life down in faith to Him, not looking to live anxiously in control)

The motivation to kill Jesus

John 5:17-18–But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

(they had already been seeking to kill Jesus, b/c He was mighty and influential while defying their religious ways)

-The Pharisees had taken, what was made to honor God-to now be a means to establish their own authority and ways, and condemn those who didn’t do what they believed to be right…(their way was life, life was not determined by what Jesus says and does but what we say and do!)

Ex:  this is how we lived before we came to Christ, and at times now-that I really only like people who do things like me or the way I want them to do it…submitted to no one but ourselves, we’re god (won’t let people be themselves, even Jesus!)

-The Pharisees had so perverted faith in God, that God is not allowed into what He created!-This is why we preach the Word, (b/c we are not conforming an environment were we manipulate you to submit to our ways, but Jesus-which is why you can find our vision right out of John 17)

-in other words God was never the goal for the Pharisees, they were the goal-and being esteemed by people was their main motivation…(they had to be the center of attention, b/c Jesus cannot be!-”I can’t let you be yourself b/c that takes the spotlight from me!”)

-we know this because now that Jesus is on the scene-and doing completely opposite of what they would do, they have a problem…

When Jesus is God-Redeeming our desperation to control and live anxiety ridden

Ex:  people w/out submission to God and His ways,-want to control not only what they do, but also what you do, b/c without God it’s about us (even with raising children, is it according to faith which is life giving and Word centered, or anxiety?)

Ephesians 2:3-4-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

-we don’t think our ways are wicked because we have had them so long-it isn’t until someone comes and challenges our ways that we have a problem (The Living Word is challenging them in what honors God as life truly is!)

Ex:  without God, it is a war according to who will submit to whose ways, anxious to keep control-our faith and submission to God is really in response to the Word, which gives liberty, peace, freedom, etc=unity

-Jesus is freeing people, while the Pharisees are enslaving people with their manipulation of the Law-Christ (the Living Word) is sent to us to free us, while our ways are enslaving to ourselves and others…

Ex:  do people feel free to be themselves around you or does your personality enslave people-that if they don’t do what you want there is chaos and anger?

-Here is Jesus healing people on the Sabbath and claiming to be equal to God-while the Pharisees have healed nobody ever, even outside of the Sabbath!

Matthew 23:15-Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte,you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

–Jesus challenges them as God to submit to authority, but when we feel being in control is life-we will try and kill anything that comes against that! (we kill relationships, opportunities, businesses, ministries, etc. most importantly conviction!)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19–Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19  Do not quench the Spirit

As Jesus forces a verdict, our belief or unbelief becomes clearer

John 5:19-23So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Soncan do nothing of his own accord,but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.  20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.  21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives lifeto whom he will.  22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.  

-Jesus now is making it clear that He does exactly what God does,-that He is in perfect harmony with God the Father.(this claim clearly surpasses the confessions of what the Pharisees would say about themselves)

Ex: but jealousy always competes, so their pride can’t handle someone claiming to be superior to them-especially if you are committed to thinking that the epitome of godliness is what you do, compared to other people-Ex: Mormons/JW

(The Pharisees were well respected religious figures, but they abused it by thinking they’re superior b/c of what their title represented, instead of humility to God, it was pride in position/power)

Matthew 23:2-5-“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,  3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you— but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.  4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move themwith their finger. Ex: warn religious parenting

-so here is Jesus surpassing any claim possible, “I am equal to the Father”,-which drove the Pharisees crazy, b/c if it is true I have to give up my life of having everything about me, people praising and exalting me and what I do…(they hated that, which is why they wanted to kill Jesus! Get rid of Him, so we can reign in our influence)

Ex:  this is why people have such problems with there being a God, and Jesus Christ as the Son of God-because if His testimony is true, than I have no right to have control of my own life and not be judged!

-this implies reevaluating my ways of life, that I can’t boast in competition with people-getting my image from looking down on others who don’t hold my value system (because now there is someone in authority that we must humble ourselves to)

-but for the Christian, Jesus comes and reveals places in my life where my pride is dominant-and I don’t submit to Him in this way in my life-(what way is that, and how is it enslaving you/others?-ex:your friendships, marriage, work…)           

-it makes me either call Jesus wrong with His claims and demands, or I am wrong-the fight is either stubborn pride and unbelief for Jesus be God in this area of my life, or humble submission that He is God and His Word is the final authority: (repentance/struggle/confession/deep humility=it is the difference between wickedness/weakness)

Hebrew 4:15–For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find graceto help in time of need.

Conclusion: What is salvation or deliverance according to Jesus?

John 5:24-29-Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice  29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

-As Jesus lays out what faith in Him is, and what is to come for those who believe and those who don’t-belief in Christ from the whole context of this message, is that I judge Jesus to be who He says He is, so He’s always right…God!

Ex:  what does that look like?-I’m not hardening my heart to His Word-my heart is active to fight and affirm my faith

–Salvation is deliverance from the prison of trying to control life to go right while driven by sin/selfishness-the giving up of control to God by faith in Who He is and what He says takes faith, affirming being a new creation!

-Judgment Jesus says, is reserved for those who are stubbornly determining that they rather ignore/kill Jesus,than submit to Him as God, and allow Him to have control…

-this is why judgment from God is just, because He sent His Son to die on our behalf-yet those who don’t believe, judge Jesus and what He calls eternal life as not better than us controlling our own, so He must be lying…

1 John 5:10-Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

(so we dismiss the authority of His Word, so we dismiss the authority of who He is in testifying as God…)

Are we in stubborn dismissal of the Living Word and Truth, or we are in struggling submission to it, affirming Jesus as God?