Sermon Theme
Lord’s Day 8 takes up the subject of the ‘Trinity’
In dealing with this subject in this sermon we could just go to various Biblical texts and cover what they say… a sound enough approach
However, today we will approach this matter from an angle little used but one that is so telling.
We will deal primarily with the IDENTITY of Jesus… just who was He… indeed… who IS HE?
In the Gospels a BIG concern of the Jews in Jesus’ day was about who He was…
“At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ?” (John 7:25–26)
Jesus Himself was interested in what the disciples thought…
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”” (Matthew 16:13–16)
Sermon outline
- A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
- A GLARING CONTRAST THAT AFFIRMS JESUS’ IDENTITY
- THREE IN ONE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 8, QA 24-25
24 Q. How are these articles divided?
Into three parts:
God the Father and our creation;
God the Son and our deliverance;
God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.
25 Q. Since there is but one God, why do you speak of three: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Because that is how God has revealed Himself in His Word: these three distinct persons are one, true, eternal God.
Acts 14:8–20 (NIV84)
8In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.
9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed
10and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.
13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:
15“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.
16In the past, he let all nations go their own way.
17Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
18Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Text
John 5:16–30 (NIV84)
16So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him.
17Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
18For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.
21For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
23that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
25I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.
27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice
29and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
