Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, September 28, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

OUR GREAT SAVIOR – HIS DEITY

By Michael D. O’Neal (Prov. 11:30), Pastor
Gospel Light Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3071 (237 Lockett Station Road),
Albany, GA 31706
(229) 432-0039 (church) / (229) 698-2127 (parsonage)

Scripture Reading: John 20:24-28

Text: John 20:28

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Introduction: A Biblical understanding of the person of the Savior is to know that He is not only the Son of God but also God the Son! I want to talk to you tonight about the deity of Christ, the fact that He is GOD manifest in the flesh. He is, always was, and always shall be GOD. Before the world was created, He IS God. After this present world melts with a fervent heat, He IS God.

This doctrine separates true Christians from the Jehovah’s False Witnesses. They deny that He is God. They worship a different savior.

I want to point out three basic facts about Christ’s deity tonight. First, consider with me

I. THE PROBLEMS THE DOCTRINE BRINGS UP

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

There are three big objections to the doctrine:

A. The design of His appearance

How could GOD be BORN?
Answer: Only His physical BODY was born; Jesus had no beginning.

B. The distinction of His Sonship

How can God also be the SON of God?
Answer: God is GOD. He can be anything He pleases.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

C. The death on the cross

How can God die?
Answer: Only His BODY died. Jesus did not cease to be, nor did He cease to be the living GOD when He died.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Now consider with me:

II. THE PROOF THAT THE DOCTRINE IS TRUE

John 20:28-29 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Keep in mind that the following verses are listed based on how they read in the King James Bible. Several of these verses have been changed in the modern “perversions” of scripture (NIV, NASB, TLB, and others).

A. The word of God testifies that Jesus is God

GOD laid down His life for us – 1 John 3:16.
The Word was GOD – John 1:1.
GOD is with us as Jesus – Matthew 1:23.
GOD bought the church with HIS own blood – Acts 20:28.
GOD was manifest in the flesh – 1 Timothy 3:16.

B. The witnesses who knew Him testified that Jesus is God

God the Father said to Jesus, “O GOD” – Hebrews 1:8.
Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my GOD” – John 20:28.
Stephen called upon GOD and said, “Lord Jesus” – Acts 7:59.
Jews wanted to kill Jesus because He made Himself equal to God – John 5:18.

C. The wonders He performed testified that Jesus is God

He created all things – John 1:1-3.
He forgave sins – Luke 5:21.
He rose from the dead – John 2:19.

D. The works He performs today testify that Jesus is God

He inspires books, songs, articles, newspapers, magazines, and websites daily.
He changes lives completely.
He causes many people to devote their entire lives to proclaiming His person and His message.

Finally, think about:

III. THE POSSIBILITIES THE DOCTRINE OFFERS

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Since Jesus IS God:

A. He can SAVE you

1. Only God can do that.
2. Man’s religion is insecure.
3. Jesus saves entirely, eternally!

B. He can STRENGTHEN you (Philippians 4:13)

To continue serving Him
To be faithful
To do His work

C. He can SUPPLY your needs (Philippians 4:19)

Food
Clothes
Secondary needs – home, transportation, wisdom, fellowship, love

D. He can SETTLE you (1 Peter 5:10)

GOD gives peace of mind.
He can settle you in your home.
He can settle you in your church.
He can settle you in a ministry.