Title: Jesus Is God: So What?

Main Text: John 5:18, John 8:58

Theme: A fresh recognition of Christ’s deity—and why it matters.

I. Six Modern Misunderstandings About Jesus

The Bible is helpful, but not God’s Word.

Jesus was real but not virgin-born or resurrected.

His teachings lead to salvation, but He’s not the only way.

Christianity shouldn’t be imposed on others.

Missions are optional—God needs people at home.

Faith in Jesus = heaven, but my life feels defeated.

All six misunderstandings stem from a failure to grasp who Jesus really is: God.

II. What Does the Bible Say About Jesus?

Eternal Preexistence (John 1:1–3)

Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23)

Sinless Life (Hebrews 4:15)

Vicarious Death (1 Peter 2:24)

Bodily Resurrection (John 2:19)

Glorious Ascension (1 Timothy 3:16)

III. Jesus’ Divine Authority Displayed

Healed the sick

Forgave sins

Raised the dead

Received worship (12 instances in NT)

He never refused worship—unlike Peter, Paul, and angels (Acts 10, Acts 14, Revelation 22)

IV. Jesus’ Clear Claims of Deity

John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”

John 14:9 – “He who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 5:18 – Jesus called God His “own Father” (idion patera), meaning uniquely and equally God.

John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was born, I AM.”

Echoes Exodus 3:14 – “I AM WHO I AM.”

V. The "Double Amen" Pattern

Used only by Jesus in John’s Gospel.

Signals a profound truth listeners would struggle to believe.

Example: John 3 (Nicodemus), John 13 (Judas’ betrayal), John 8 (Pre-existence of Christ).

VI. Final Challenge

Don’t just affirm the doctrine of Christ’s deity—live transformed by it.

You can be “straight as a gun barrel and just as empty.”