The Diety of Christ - His Works

All right, we've been looking at the deity of Christ, the evidence of his deity as seen in his names. We spent three studies talking about the names of Christ and how those demonstrate his deity. Then we spent three studies talking about the attributes of Christ and how those demonstrate his deity. Tonight we're going to talk about the works of Christ, the works that he does, works that could only exclusively be done by God. These are not works that we could do or anyone else can do except for God. And so when the Bible proclaims that Christ does these works, then obviously it's a clear sign that he is God. I don't know if we'll take three studies on this one or not. I don't think we will. We may not make it through all eight of these tonight, but again, when you pile all of this evidence together, it is amazing how strongly the Bible teaches the deity of Christ. This is not just an incidental reference on a page or two of scripture. The Liberals used to say for years that Jesus nowhere claimed to be God. Well, he does. We'll see his claims next time. But in addition to his own claims, all of these other lines of evidence are just overwhelming and powerful when you put them all together. And so we want to look at some of his works tonight, beginning with the fact that Christ created all things. Let's look at John chapter one. We're going to look at two or three passages for each of these. And we'll find that the scriptures clearly declare that Jesus does things that only God can do. John chapter one verse three. Through him all things were made without him. Nothing was made that has been made pretty clear, isn't it? He made all things created all things. Verse 10 states it again. He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. Now when it says the world was made through him, some translations say buy him, but the actual preposition in the original language, the Greek preposition is a preposition which denotes agency. It literally means through. So Jesus Christ is actually the one through whom God created all things. Jesus was the actual agent of creation. He was the one who created all things. Now let's look at Colossians chapter one. Colossians chapter one. And verse 16 which states this even more clearly, if you can imagine that than what we saw in John, but it states it in three different ways. Christ relationship to creation. Colossians one, 16. For in him all things were created. Things in heaven, on earth, visible and invisible whether, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through him and for him. Now notice three different prepositions in this passage that describe the breadth and scope of Christ's relationship to creation. Says first of all that in him all things were created then through him all things were created and for him all things were created. Put all that together and you see the breadth of Christ's involvement in creation. In him that means the plans for creation were in him. You might think of Christ as the architect of creation. The plans were in him. Creation was in him before he actually spoke things into existence. And then he's also the agent through him. He's the actual creator. So he's the architect. He's the contractor, the builder. And then for him he is also the goal of all creation. And he's the goal of all creation in the sense that the unity and the perfection of creation will reach its fulfillment under his rule. All that creation was intended to be will come together in its unity and perfection when Jesus rules on this earth. And the curse is lifted, the curse that came on creation because of man's sin is lifted in Christ rules on this earth. Then we will see how all creation was designed to fit under his rule. He is its goal as well. So amazing how Paul weaves all of that together. Creation was it was in him. It was through him and it is for him. Pretty powerful statement of Christ relationship to creation. Comments or questions about that that Christ created all things. Pretty straightforward, isn't it? Nothing was created apart from him. You know the Bible indicates that all the persons of the Trinity had a part in creation. Number of places where the Bible talks about God being the creator in the beginning. God created the heavens in the earth. Christ as we have seen is also involved in creation and the Holy Spirit is too. In Genesis 1, 2 the Spirit was brooding over God's creation and began to shape and form in the six days of creation. So all three members of the Trinity are involved. Paul is emphasizing the primacy of Jesus and his involvement in creation. John? Maybe in his embarrassing question I thought you were embarrassing for me because I can't answer it. Does Christ ever mention that he created all things in the heavens? Paul is saying that he did. Is Christ ever say I created all things? This is an embarrassing question because I don't think I can answer this. I'm struggling to think of an instance where he literally said that. There may be some in the gospel of John but that would be where it would be I would think. Or Christ actually says those words trying to think I can't recall anyone else. Recall the instance where Jesus himself said I created all things. I mean, the other time he said that I and the father are one. That is where it turns to his name. Where those words came from his own lips. Let's start reading in John 1 and just read to me. I think it would be in John's gospel because that's where most of those kind of claims are made. I'm preaching this Sunday from John 6 and I was working on that this morning and we're going to come to the first of the I am statements in the gospel of John. There are seven of them and we get the first one. I am the bread come down from heaven. I was trying to think in the context of that if he ever mentioned anything about creation. I don't think he did. I don't recall that there is an expression like that. Okay, who's got the iPad out looking? Somebody's looking I'm sure. That's a great question. Okay, Christ created all things. Let's look at the next one. There's kind of a follow up of this. The next two really are tied to the creation. The second work that Christ does which is exclusively a work of God is that Christ upholds and preserves all things. Not only did he create all things but he also maintains, preserves, upholds all of that creation. Since we're in Colossians, let's look at the next verse. Colossians 1, 17. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. Not only did he create all things, we're 16 but all things are held together by Christ as well. Which basically means he gives unity and design to all of his creation and keeps it functioning properly. We're going to see another verse in a minute about how, at least part of how he does that. But Christ is actually holding all things together in a well-ordered system. Most amazing things to read about and study is the order and design in creation. Take any part of creation and you can see that order and design. You can see the laws of nature by which nature seemingly operates but they are only really the extension of the creative word of God and His direct involvement like the laws of gravity. The fact that the earth is the perfect distance from the sun. That it's tilted perfectly on its axis. That there's an ecological balance that is built into the animal kingdom and the plant kingdom and how all that functions together. If we don't mess with it too much, it's designed to work in a perfect order. All of that is a part of preserving and upholding His creations and ongoing work of Christ. One other passage and then we'll throw it up for any questions or comments you have. Hebrews 1-3, which actually describes one of the ways that Jesus does uphold and preserve all things in the universe. Verse 3 says, the sun is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of God of His being sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He'd provided purification for sins He sat down to the right hand of the majesty in heaven. The expression we're concerned about or interested in for this particular study is right in the middle of the verse. Sustaining all things by His powerful word. How does He sustain creation? How does He hold it together? How does He preserve it? How does He maintain it? One of the ways He does is actually through the power of the spoken word which probably means the spoken word of creation. God does all things perfectly and when Jesus spoke things into existence that very spoken word carries with it the power to maintain, sustain, keep creation moving. That's not the only way He does it. He's also involved in a very direct way but He is sustaining His creation and notice that is a present tense verb sustaining. It's not that He sustained it for a while in the quip or He will sustain it in the future during the millennium but He is presently sustaining. He is continually bearing along, carrying along all things in the universe forward to an appointed course and an appointed destination. He is carrying all of it along. He is sustaining His creation. It's an amazing thought. He not only created all things, He upholds and maintains and preserves and sustains whatever word you want to use His creation as well. Any comments or questions about that? It is extremely comforting to know that He has a design, a purpose, a goal toward which it's heading and He's moving it toward that goal. I would expect a couple of questions here about how some things fit into this. Yes. Yes. That is so true. I don't know that I would have picked the dandelion because I'm like when you said I think most of us were trying to kill him. Look at it. A little more carefully next time. I'll do that. It's so true, isn't it, Gene, you can pick anything in creation and it's that way. You look at the eye, for instance, and all of the magnificence of the eye and how it works. Any part of the human body is that way. Any part of the animal kingdom or the plant kingdom or any part of God's creation, you get to examining it closely enough and it is absolutely magnificent in its detail. It's so true. How do hurricanes and tornadoes and natural disasters fit into the fact that Christ is maintaining His creation and moving it toward a goal? How does all that fit together? Creation is cursed. Okay. All right. And we know what brought the curse into the world on creations in Genesis 3, isn't it? Where God cursed the ground, God cursed nature because of man's sin. All of the natural disasters come about as a result of that disruption in the way God intended creation to function. It's a part of what Romans 8 talks about where Paul says all creation grows, waiting for the deliverance that will come when we also are delivered from the groaning in our bodies and we're delivered into the presence of God, the redemption, he says, the completion of our redemption. But he also talks about all creation groaning under the curse and creation is not functioning perfectly as it was intended to function. But even with the disturbances in creation because of the curse, God is still able to redeem all that and fulfill His purpose. In individual cases, God is able to do that, isn't it? There are some terrible, horrible natural disasters that happen, but God will often turn those around and use them as displays of His glory and grace as He works in people's lives through those terrible things to bring about good. But certainly He will in the end bring all creation back to its intended goal and purpose. So, yeah, the fact that creation is real messy at times is not an indication that Jesus is not doing a good job of moving it along. It's an extension of the curse because of man's sin, the fall. It's affected everything in the world. And everything has been redeemed through what Christ did at the cross, even the natural order of things in this world has been redeemed by Christ's work on the cross. Read it in Colossians 1 where He reconciles all things to Himself, even in the creation, heavens and the earth. He reconciled all of that. It just hasn't all come to pass yet. Just like our bodies are ultimately redeemed as well, but that hasn't happened. That part of redemption hasn't taken place yet. That's still to come. Okay, so Christ is upholding and preserving His creation. Even though at times it looks like it's out of kilter. That's just a result of the curse. All right, John. What do you say to someone who's questioning the sovereignty of God and maybe yourself a little bit when you're in this discussion? If you say it's from the curse, from the fall, a rational person would say, well, your God can't eat stuff. The humongous hurt is getting through. Why doesn't he? Yeah. How do you effectively answer that without this saying? Yeah. That's a great question. It's a good point because that is what a lot of people whose minds are darkened and they do not understand the totality of the plan of God and the purpose and Scripture. That's what trips up a lot of people. How can God allow those things and why can't He change them? Is He not powerful enough to stop hurricanes and stop tornadoes? Certainly He is powerful enough and He could stop all of them if He wanted to. But it all goes back to the fact that God has given us the freedom to choose. Adam chose and there are consequences and results of that. There are consequences and results in nature. There are consequences and results in our lives when we make bad choices. God doesn't never promises to alleviate all of those bad consequences. The creation is suffering because of sin and God has not ever said He's going to step in and alleviate all the effects of the curse. He will, at some point, when Christ comes back and sets up His kingdom, but that hasn't happened yet. Now, for an unsaved person, that's hard to get. All they can see is you talk about a God is all powerful. Why can't He stop things? He could, but He's chosen to give us the freedom to make our own choices just like He could stop me from sin if He wanted to. He could stop me from making bad choices where I would never ever make a bad choice. But He has built into us a will to choose. So He's not forcing that on us or on His creation. That is a tough one. Yes. Yes. And that's up. Yes. There are certain natural disasters that have beneficial effects. And you mentioned one, and that is wildfires, which actually replenish the earth and clear away a lot of junk. So that the earth can produce better. I remember I've used this illustration before of, I forget the name of the pine tree out in Yellowstone and out west. That has seeds that will only burst open under intense heat. And those seeds do burst open in the wildfires and produce many, many more trees than are burned by the wildfires. So even some of that God has factored into the creation to fulfill that maintaining and sustaining of creation. Sequoia. Sequoia? Is that what it is? Okay. All right. Good. Thanks. All right. What about the one that's falling or planting of the walls around here? Because there's a small only that contains the natural frequency that is not the walls. I guess that's within the realm of possibility that God could have used that. But as you read the story, it appears that that was a supernatural miraculous act of God. And it was not just due to any natural occurrence. But certainly God could use that if he chose to. Yeah. Okay. Christ created all things. Christ upholds and preserves all things. And the number three Christ guides and directs the stream of history. Not just the creation, but the actual stream of history. What's happening in the world? Our first passage will stay right here in Hebrews. He brews one, two. Oh, let's read verse one in the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his son. So God revealing himself. He used prophets and other means in the Old Testament in New Testament times. He revealed himself through his son whom he appointed air of all things and through whom also he made the universe. Now, here's one point where I think the the NIV translation is not as clear and accurate. The word universe is literally many translations use the word world, which is better. I think the King James may use that. I know the ESV does. But the word literally is ages. It's a world. It's a word, which is often translated world in many ways. In many translations, but the word literally is the ages Christ created the ages indicating the world and the unfolding periods of time that are a part of this world. He created the ages, not just the planet, but the actual stream of history. All that transpires within those ages and the unfolding history of this world and even this universe is included in that term. The ages. So there's a clear statement here actually that Jesus is guiding and directing the stream of history. Now, just like we saw with creation, there are lots of hiccups in the stream of history because of man sin. And so Christ directing the stream of history. Is that mean he wanted the Holocaust to happen? No. That hiccup in the stream of history was because of the horrible sins and delusions and philosophies of people that was their own doing. So there are lots of bens and twists, but the overall stream of history and how it's headed and where it's going to end up is totally under the control of Christ. Because it's going to end up exactly where he wants it to be. Steve? Yeah. Right. Yeah. Exactly. That's a great point, Steve. And it really serves to illustrate Romans 828. Doesn't all things work together for good to them who are called according to his person. And certainly the Holocaust is as horrible as it was did as you say bring about a worldwide sympathy for the Jews and directly led to them being given a homeland in Israel. And that obviously was a part of God's purpose because nothing in the tribulation can happen without a people of Israel in their land. And so God redeems even the worst acts of men in history. So overall he will take even the good and the bad and work it out together to bring about his good purposes. And it's a very good illustration of that. Another illustration and one that's a biblical illustration is in Revelation. This is just this is a good biblical illustration of the very thing we're talking about in Revelation chapter 5 and verse 5. This is John seeing the scene in heaven where the lamb takes the scroll. No one is the scroll is the title deed to the earth. And no one is worthy to take that and open its seals and open that scroll which is title deed to the earth. Verse 3, no one in heaven or on earth under the earth could open the scroll even look inside it. John wept and wept because no one was found worthy. Then verse 5. Then one of the elders said to me, do not weep. See the lion of the tribe of Judah. The root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals. And then look down at chapter 6 where he starts opening these seals. You know what the seals are? There are a series of judgments that are poured out on the earth in the tribulation time. Remember there are seven seal judgments? Seven trumpet judgments and then seven bowl judgments. And notice how this is described in verse 1 of chapter 6. I watched as the lamb opened the first of the seven seals. And then the historical events on earth happen as a result of Christ initiating that by opening the first seal. And then verse 3, when the lamb opened the second seal. I heard the second living creatures say come and other horse came. The events are happening on earth because of that. Verse 5, when the lamb opened the third seal. Then more historical events happen on earth. Verse 7, when the lamb opened the fourth seal. Verse 9, when he opened the fifth seal. So this is a graphic illustration of Jesus actually unfolding the events of the tribulation. Opening the seals which introduce real, literal historical events on planet earth in the tribulation time. And the same thing goes on through the seven seal judgments. And obviously he's in control of the trumpet judgments, even though angels both the trumpets. And the bowl judgments, even though it is seen as God pouring out the bowls is wrath. Still Christ is seen as directing the events of history. And let's face it, many of the events that happen as a result of these seals and the other judgments are bad things in the sense of the destruction they bring on planet earth. There are natural catastrophes and calamities that take place. There are wars, there are famine. There are all kinds of things that we would categorize as bad things. But here's a clear instance where God is using them to fulfill His purpose of judgment on this earth before and on the antichrist in His kingdom, before Christ comes up and cleans up the whole mess and sets up His kingdom. So it's a graphic illustration of Jesus guiding and directing the events of history. All right, any comment or question about that work which Jesus does, which only God can do. All right, number four, and this is a powerful one, Christ forgives sins and gives eternal life. Let's look at a tremendous example of this in Mark chapter two. You're familiar with this story. This is the story of the paralytic that is let down through the roof of the building by His friends. Mark chapter two, verse four, they let Him down through the opening and the roof. Verse five, when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, son, your sins are forgiven. Now some teachers of the law were sitting there thinking to themselves, why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming. Who can forgive sins but God alone? Is that a proper question? Have they reached a proper conclusion? Yes and no, right? I mean, the question is correct. Who can forgive sins but God alone? That's true. We're not talking here about forgiving someone like we forgive. It's obvious in this context we're talking about forgiving sin in the sense of removing the wrath of God. And taking care of someone's sin in the courtroom of God, I can't do that. Nobody else can do that except God. So the last question they ask is true. The statement they made before that is not. He's blaspheming. Okay? Their point is only God can forgive sins and in their minds, He's just a man so He is blaspheming. What they failed to take into account was yes, only God can forgive sins but what you're watching is God in action. And so He's not blaspheming. He is God. Now He's going to prove it to them. It's going to prove it. Notice what happens next. Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts. There's an evidence of deity. We saw that earlier when we talked about His omniscience. He knows all things. And He said to them, why are you thinking these things? Okay? Basically He says, okay, I'll prove to you that I have the power to forgive sins. Which is easier to say to the paralyzed man. Your sins are forgiven or to say get up, take up your mat and walk. Obviously it's easier to say to someone your sins are forgiven because you can't see that. Nobody really knows if that happens or not. But if you tell someone who's paralyzed to get up and take up your mat and walk, I mean it's obvious when that happens. Everybody can see that. And so Jesus says, I want to show you that I have the power in the spiritual realm to do things you can't see in people's hearts by demonstrating my power in the physical realm to actually heal this man. So this miracle is basically an evidence of His spiritual power. So, first ten, but I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. So he said to the man, I tell you, get up, take up your mat and go home. He got up, took his mat, walked out in full view of all of them. This amazed everyone and they praised God saying we have never seen anything like this. So Jesus does this miracle to prove His power in the physical realm but basically to prove He had power in the spiritual realm that He had the power to forgive sins which is something anybody could say and nobody would know whether or not it really happened. But Jesus says, I want to show you I have the power to make that happen. So their question and their line of reasoning was right to an extent. Nobody can forgive sin except God. So if he's just a man, he's a blasphemer. He's claiming to do something only God can do. And Jesus is basically saying, I'm going to show you that I can do what God does because I'm God. So it's a tremendous proof of His deity in the fact that He forgives sin. Any comments or questions about that story or passage? I don't know. It should have, but it obviously didn't stick. I think it's basically just a summary statement of the crowd. It amazed everybody in the crowd. I think probably the Pharisees, the religious leaders are still withholding their belief. I mean there's no indication except in a couple of instances, you know, with a couple of Pharisees that they ever really did believe. I would take that as a more of just a general statement that the crowd, the crowd just was amazed. All right, John 1028 is the other side of this statement that we've mentioned Christ forgives sins and gives eternal life. John 1028, 27 says, my sheep, listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life. And they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Okay, it's a pretty bold statement, isn't it? I mean, is anyone here willing to say that you can give eternal life to someone? Of course not. No man can do that. Only God can give eternal life. And Jesus says, I give them eternal life. And no man can snatch them out of my hand. Then he adds the double protection that the father also holds them in his hands. Ephesians 432 is a statement of this, the forgiveness, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you. So God has seen us doing the forgiving, but it's done in Christ through the work of Christ. So there's a sense in which Christ is involved in this forgiveness of God as well. So Christ forgives sins and gives eternal life. Those are two things that only God can do. Man in and of himself cannot do those things. Having said that, and I want to go ahead and move to this because we've only got about five minutes left. If it's true that man cannot forgive sins, then what is meant and how do we understand John 20, 23? We've got to come to grips with this passage because this passage is greatly misused. John 20, 23. Jesus is talking to his disciples after the resurrection. He says in verse 21, peace be with you as the father has sent me. I'm sending you with that. He breathed on them and said, receive the Holy Spirit. Now verse 23, if you forgive anyone sins, their sins are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. Now the way this passage has been greatly misused is by the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church uses this verse as a proof text for the fact that the apostles could forgive sins. And so the popes who claim to be successors of the apostles also have that power to speak for the church in forgiving sins. So that man can actually forgive sins in the sense of making people right with God, I think that's a misuse of this passage. Let's look at the verse again. If you forgive anyone sins, their sins are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. Our English translations again sometimes don't quite do justice to the verb tenses. There are so many different tenses in the Greek language that are not in English. And these verbs are in the perfect tense in Greek, which really would be better translated this way. If you forgive anyone sins, their sins have been forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they have not been forgiven. Now think about that for a minute. What Jesus is saying is that you are actually declaring something which has already been done. You are declaring on earth when you say someone sins are forgiven, you are declaring something that has already been done. They have already been forgiven in heaven or they have already not been forgiven in heaven and you are simply declaring that on earth. Now if that's a little confusing, we'll look an example of it in the book of Acts. Look at Acts chapter 10 and verse 43. As Peter is preaching to Cornelius, he is going to make a statement about the forgiveness of sins that is very similar to what we see in John and really helps us understand what John is or what Christ was saying in John. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. So put all that together and this is what the Bible is saying. I have the right, even as a pastor, just like Peter did, you have the right too. That's not because you are a pastor. Anyone has the right to say of someone else. If you believe in Christ and that's exactly what Peter is saying, your sins are forgiven. They have been forgiven in heaven and I can declare to you that what God does in heaven is true. If you believe in Christ, your sins are forgiven. That's how Peter understood what Jesus told him in John 20. That's how he understood it. This is what the prophets say. This is what the Bible says. Anyone who believes in him, your sins are forgiven. So I have the right to say and you do too. Any of us has the right to say, I can declare to you your sins are forgiven. I didn't forgive them, but I have the right to declare that your sins are forgiven because if you trust in Christ, your sins have been forgiven in heaven. I'm just declaring to you what's already been done in heaven and that's exactly what the perfect tenses are communicating in John 20. We're just announcing what's already been done in heaven based upon the Word of God. Peter says the prophets made this plain. If you believe in him, then your sins are forgiven and I can declare that that's been done in heaven and if you do not believe in him, your sins are not forgiven. Any of us can make that same declaration on the basis of God's Word and what it says about believing in Christ. It's not that I actually forgive anybody's sins. The apostles didn't forgive anybody's sins. Nobody but God forgives sins. But we do have the right to say your sins are forgiven if that's already been done in heaven. The only way we know if that's been done in heaven is what Peter said if you believe in Christ. If you've trusted in Christ, then your sins have been forgiven in heaven and I can declare to you your sins are forgiven. It's the only way I can declare that. Okay? Does that make sense? We have any questions about that. We have about 30 seconds left. Any questions? These are huge problems that we have what we believe and what other denominations or whatever you want to carry on a classified. We have people that are basically entertainers healing people and then you have some organizations that say they have the power to cancel out sins. Those are just minor little things. You are imitating what Christ can do. I think it's dangerous territory. It's so important that we are careful with the scriptures. At first glance it sounds like John 2023 is saying I can forgive sins. The apostles can forgive sins. If I have a direct line to the apostles then maybe I can forgive sins too which is what some teach. But that's not what John was saying. That's why it's important to carefully study the scriptures. And not just look at what it seems to be saying on the surface but study it carefully. Look at what's being said. Compare it with other scriptures. And you can come to a better understanding of these things. Okay? All right. Our time is up. So we will finish this next week. Lord willing, let's pray. Father, we thank you for our great Lord, our marvelous Savior, the one who does all of these things that only you can do. Lord, we know that these are not like miracles that even the apostles could do. These are works that only you can do. Creation. A polling the universe for giving sins. These are things that only you can do. And so we recognize when Jesus does them and claims that he can do them and proves it that we have a clear evidence of who he is. And yet Lord, we are amazed when we recognize all that he is, all the power he has, that he was willing to lay aside all that acclaim to come to this earth and become a man to be our Savior, to die for us. What love, what love, thank you. Father, and thank you Lord Jesus for loving us so much. It's in your name we pray. Amen.