Jesus the Son of God

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 2

I. Introduction: “Son of God” is one of the most common names for Jesus. What does the name mean and what should it mean to us?

II. Facts about Son of God

A. Jesus very rarely called Himself the Son of God.

B. Others called Him the Son of God and He accepted this title Jesus primarily referred to Himself as the Son of Man.

C. It was a name given at His birth.

D. Luke 1:35 – “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

E. Though He rarely used the title, He acknowledged God as His Father

F. Luke 2:49 – Even as a young man, Jesus recognized the relationship: “And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Matthew 11:27 describes this special, intimate bond

G. The Devil and demons often used this title

H. Matthew 4:3-6 – “If you are the Son of God…” Matthew 8:29 – Demons used the title, “And suddenly they cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time’?”

III. Misunderstandings and errors

A. Islam

B. Surah 112:1-4 “Allah is one, the Eternal God. He begot none, nor was he begotten. None is equal to Him.” Surah 5:75-76 “They do blaspheme who say: ‘Allah is Christ the son of Mary’…They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.” Surah 19:88-89 “They say: ‘(Allah) Most gracious has begotten a son!’ Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!” Quotes from A Resource for the Study of Islam by Ney Rieber.

C. Jehovah’s Witnesses

D. “While properly referring to God as his Father, Jesus never claimed equality with God.” (Reasonings, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: Brooklyn, 1989. p.214)“According to the customary meaning of ‘firstborn,’it indicates that Jesus is the eldest in Jehovah’s family of sons.” (Reasonings, p.408)

E. Mormons

F. “Joseph Smith taught a plurality of gods, and that man by obeying the commandments of God and keeping the whole law will eventually reach the power and exaltation by which he also will become a god.” Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, page 98.” (As quoted in The Bible and Mormon Doctrine. Sandra Tanner. Modern Microfilm Co.: Salt Lake City, 1971. p.30.

IV. What does this title mean

A. Begotten of God

B. John 1:14-16 – Jesus is the “only begotten” of the Father John 3:16-18 – Used in one of the most beloved passages

C. Same term is used of Isaac in Hebrews 11:17-18

D. From this passage, we realize that it does not mean “only child” for Abraham had Ishmael by Hagar before Isaac was born. The name emphasizes the special unique relationship of the father and son; the only begotten Son has seen the Father. Isaac not just a son but was the son of promise through whom all the promises to Abraham would be fulfilled. We are all sons of God, but Jesus sustains a unique relationship above our relationship to the Father. Refers back to the Messianic psalm, Psalm 2:7

E. Firstborn of creation

F. Does not mean the “first created.” ISBE: “The laws and customs of all nations show that to be “firstborn” means, not only priority in time, but a certain superiority in privilege and authority. Israel is Yahweh’s firstborn among the nations” Although He is called the “firstborn from the dead” in Colossians 1:18, He was not the first to rise from the dead. But He is the greatest to rise from the dead. The name signifies the relationship of ruler over all things as the firstborn son of an earthly king would rule his father’s kingdom.

G. Equal with God

H. We might think that as a son, Jesus is inferior to the Father. Even the Jews recognized that by claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus claimed equality with God. John 5:18 – “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”

I. Though equal with God, He demonstrated obedience.

J. Philippians 2:5-11 – Humbled Himself for our salvation Hebrews 5:5-9 – Learned obedience through suffering

K. Heir of all things

L. God used the father-son relationship to show the rule given to Jesus

M. Daniel 7:13-14 – Prophecy: the Son received a kingdom from the Father Acts 2:29-33 – Declared to be at the right hand of God

N. Hebrews 1:1-6

O. Jesus purged sin by His blood Jesus was exalted to the highest authority over creation1 Corinthians 15:24-28 – Will return the kingdom to the Father Though Jesus subjected Himself to the Father, He is no less deity. It is a hard concept for us to comprehend but God did it for our salvation.

P. Express image of God

Q. We often note the similarities between fathers and sons. In Jesus, we see the heavenly Father.

R. Hebrews 1:3 – “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person”

S. NSRV – “exact imprint” NIV – “exact representation of his being” Jesus is just like the Father, John 14:7-92 Corinthians 4:6 – In Jesus’ face we see the glory of the Father

V. Our responsibility

A. Recognize the proof of His Sonship

B. Testimony of the Father

C. Matthew 3:17 (at baptism) - “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 17:5 (at transfiguration) - “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Romans 1:1-4 – Declared the Son of God with power

D. Subject ourselves to the Son

E. Psalm 2:7-12 – Obey the Son Hebrews 2:1-4 – Don’t neglect the salvation brought by the Son

F. Confess that He is the Son of God

G. Acts 9:20 – It was Paul’s message – “Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” Matthew 16:13-18 – Confession of Peter Acts 8:36-38 – Ethiopian confession

H. Thank Jesus taking this role for our salvation