God and Jesus (Is Jesus Deity?)

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See full series: what-god-has-and-has-not-joined-together-2026-theme

God and Jesus (Is Jesus Deity?)

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: John 10:30


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WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER (6)

Today, we continue our 2026, “What God has (and has not) joined together”.  As we have seen, we are dealing with doctrinal issues that are not universally accepted.  Today I will address something that is obvious to most who are here, but it is not as accepted by many in the religious world today, and that is accepting that Jesus is God.  In this lesson we want to notice how God’s word joins Jesus and the Father (and Holy Spirit) together as eternal God

  1. The rejection of Jesus as God
    1. There are many world religions that deny that Jesus is God, while others deny His eternal nature.
    2. Judaism –believes that YHWH is one person and that Jesus was not divine nor their Messiah. In fact, some sources note that rejecting Jesus as such is a fundamental tenet of their faith.  They acknowledge Him as a historical figure, though they clearly rejected Him, and traditional Judaism still rejects Him and are still anticipating their messiah.
    3. Islam – they believe that Jesus was a revered prophet. Some of the elements of His life, including His virgin birth, performing miracles, wise teachings and ascension to heaven are believed. But they rejected that He is the Son of God.  They too reject the trinity.
    4. Eastern religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Baha’i, Sikhism, etc. Such religions revere Jesus as an enlightened spiritual teacher who shared spiritual wisdom, but they do not teach Jesus as the one Son of God.
    5. Jehovah’s witnesses – believe that Jesus was the first creation of God, but not part of the eternal triune God. They view Him as a separate entity. While on earth Jesus was no more than a perfect man.  And prior to coming to earth, He was Michael the Arcangel.
    6. Mormons also believe Jesus was created by the Father. That both God the Father and Jesus were physical beings (flesh and bones) who are 3 distinct Gods (not One God (essence) in 3 Persons), while the Holy Spirit is a spiritual God.  They teach that Jesus was born human as God the Father had physical relations with Mary.  He was exalted to godhood through obedience.
    7. Unitarian Universalists believe Jesus to be a wise teacher, and most do not believe He was divine. UU has a diversity of views about who He actually was.  It welcomes humanistic thought and theological inclusivity (believe what you want) – including eastern religions, “Christianity” and humanism.
    8. Oneness teaching – such as Pentecostalism and Christadelphians believe that God is only one person, but He manifested Himself in 3 different forms as needed.
    9. We cannot in this lesson address each of these and why they are flawed, but I mention them to help us understand that many reject the idea that Jesus is God and distinct from the Father & Holy Spirit.
  2. What does the Bible say?
    1. Understanding the trinity.
      1. The Bible is clear there is only one true God. Deuteronomy 6:4, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. Galatians 3:20, Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
      2. However, it is also established that God is triune – 1 God – 3 persons – Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Each of these is described as God.
        1. God the Father – John 6:27, Romans 1:7, etc.
        2. Jesus is described as God – John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5 – of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Hebrews 1:8 – quoting from Psalm 45:6, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever…”
        3. Holy Spirit is described as God – 1 Corinthians 3:16 – the Spirit of God dwells in you; Acts 5:3-4. Also 1 Corinthians 3:9-12ff – implies the Spirit is God.
      3. We find the 3 mentioned together in various passages – Matthew 28:19, 3:16-17 – at His baptism; 2 Corinthians 13:14 – The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. They were also all present at creation – Genesis 1:1-2, 26 – Elohim is plural; Hebrews 1:2, Colossians 1:16, etc.
      4. And they are distinct from one another – e.g., John 10:30 – I and My Father are one; John 14:26, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
      5. NOTE that the NT writers both refer to God as one and identify all 3 as God. To reconcile this, we understand that the term God can be plural, yet in essence He is one.  The point being God (plural) is 3 distinct persons that are co-existent and co-eternal.  We struggle to understand this, but it is what scripture teaches.
      6. That is why we can say God and Jesus are joined together AS God (Deity).
    2. Jesus existed before creation – John 1:1 & 3 where Jesus is described as such. John 17:3-5 as Jesus prayed to the Father He referenced His existence before the creation of the world.
    3. Jesus claimed to be God –
      1. John 10:30 – I and My Father are one. John 8:58, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
      2. Furthermore, He accepted worship – Matthew 8:2;
      3. He forgave sins – Matthew 9:1-6, etc.
      4. He had power to grant eternal life – John 10:27-28 – He could give His sheep eternal life.
      5. His numerous miracles manifested the truthfulness of His claims.
    4. The Jews understood His claims that He is deity – John 5:18, 10:33. So clearly, Jesus in His teachings was implying His deity.
    5. The NT writers identified Jesus as divine –
      1. 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
      2. Titus 2:13 also describes Jesus as “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
      3. Hebrews 1:1-2 – describes Jesus as the Son of God. But then in the rest of the chapter He describes His superiority over angels.  In 1:8 as we have noted, Jesus is described as God, quoting from Psalm 45:6 we read, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever…”
    6. Clearly, scripture declares Jesus as God and part of the Godhead. Colossians 2:9 – For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
  3. Why is this important?
    1. It is about His identity! – Matthew 16:15-19. We need a proper understanding of who Jesus really is to appreciate Him.
    2. Because in Him we have a greater understanding of God’s care for us and who God is – John 14:9, 2 Corinthians 4:4 – He is the of God (Hebrews 1:2-4)
    3. It is about His authority! – Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 5:9 – He is the author of salvation to all who obey Him.
    4. It gives the sacrifice He made its full meaning – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus was not just another man dying for others, He was Immanuel (God with us) – Matthew 1:23.  Hebrews 9:11-15, 27-28 – the Hebrews writer elaborates on the significance of the sacrifice of Jesus.  Because of who He was, He could be the ONLY acceptable sacrifice to bring man to God (1 John 4:9-10
    5. It is about our salvation – John 14:6 – if He is the only way, we must understand who He is and believe in Him. John 8:24 Jesus declared, Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
    6. We are told that this matters –
      1. 1 John 2:22-23 – He who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar and antichrist.
      2. Matthew 10:32-33 – Jesus said, whoever confesses Him or denies Him – accordingly.
      3. 2 Corinthians 11:4 – if someone comes and preaches another Jesus… Paul was concerned that they might put up with such.
      4. Galatians 1:6-9 – there is only 1 gospel. To preach a “different gospel” is to be cut off.  Preaching a different Jesus IS preaching a different gospel.

As we study God’s word, we can see that God and Jesus are joined together, not just as 2 beings, but as part of the Godhead.  Understanding this will have a bearing not only on how we view Him, but also how we respond TO Him.  And that will factor into our eternal destiny.  How do you view your Lord?  Think about it!

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