Politicians making statements with no evidence to support them irritates me. It happens frequently in the United States. Evidence matters. Without it, lies can multiply undetected and unchallenged like bacteria in macaroni salad on a 95-degree summer day.
I have been boosting a Facebook post in India, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa since December 1, 2023. As of June 16, 2024, it had reached more than 18 million people. More than 1.6 million people have been engaged with it. I am posting it to supply context for this blog.
JESUS IS LORD
Few people question that Jesus was a man. Many doubt He was God. In the early church, it was exactly the opposite. Some spiritual leaders who spawned false teachings didn’t think Jesus was both fully God and fully man.
Cerinthus taught incorrectly that Christ came on Jesus at His baptism and left Him at the crucifixion. He said that Jesus was a mere man. Wrong!
Jesus Christ is more than just a mere man. His conception was a miracle. His mother Mary was a human being. The Holy Spirit produced her pregnancy. Jesus wasn’t 50 percent man and 50 percent God. He was 100 percent man and 100 percent God. He is God with skin.
James Gandolfini starred in the TV show, The Sopranos. In a 2009 appearance on “Inside the Actor’s Studio,” James Lipton asked Gandolfini, “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say at the pearly gates?" Gandolfini’s response--"Take over for a while, I'll be right back.”1 It’s a novel wish. It won't happen!
At His birth, Jesus was called Savior, Christ, and the Lord (Luke 2:11). He is the Word. The Word was God (John 1:1). The Word became flesh (John 1:14).
Since He’s the Word made flesh, He’s God and man. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas, one of His disciples, saw His crucifixion wounds. He described Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28–29).
Jesus received Thomas’ worship and commended him for it. If Jesus was just a man, receiving Thomas’ worship was the worst of sins. If He were just a man or a messenger from God, He wasn’t a good man or messenger.
I could say, “I am God. Worship me.” But what evidence supports my claim to be God? None. Jesus never said, “I am God. Worship me.” He didn’t have to. The evidence that He’s more than a man is overwhelming.
Jesus claimed the ability to do something only God can do—forgive sin (Mark 2:7–11). He claimed the same title as the Lord of Psalm 23:1—shepherd.
In John 10:11, He claimed to be the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. The clear conclusion is that Jesus is Lord (Yahweh of the Old Testament).
Some doubters insist Jesus never claimed to be God. They say His followers made that claim for Him.
John’s Gospel clearly describes that Jesus’ opponents understood His claims. They tried to kill Him because they thought He was breaking the Sabbath and because He was making Himself God’s equal (John 5:18). In John 10:31 the Jews tried to stone Jesus because He claimed to be God (John 10:30–33).
John lived with Jesus as a disciple for more than three years. He didn’t observe a single sin in His life all that time (1 John 3:5). Peter agreed that Jesus was sinless (1 Peter 2:22). Following me around for fifteen minutes would convince you that I’m a sinner!
Jesus came and brought us God the Father. He showed us what God is like. Knowing Him means knowing the Father (John 8:19). Believing in Him means believing in the Father (John 12:44).
Honoring Him means honoring the Father (John 5:23). Hating Him means hating the Father (John 15:23). Seeing Him means seeing the Father (John 14:9).
Welcoming Him means welcoming the Father (Mark 9:37). He is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3, NIV).
As humans, we’re often so preoccupied with trying to be number one, that we don’t give proper worship to Him who is number one. The spotlight can be on our accomplishments or Jesus. But not both. In subtle and not-so-subtle ways, we spend much of our lives trying to steal the glory that should be His alone.
Colossians 1:15–18 describes Jesus’ number one status in three ways. He is the image of God. He perfectly reveals what God is like. He is the firstborn (first in rank) of all creation.
He made it to do His will and give Him glory. He is the head of the church (the collection of all believers, past, present, and future). He is its Leader and the source of its life. He has first place in everything (Colossians 1:18).
In Philippians 2:10–11, every knee bowing before Jesus in worship accompanies confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. Calling Jesus Lord implies you do what He says (Luke 6:46). You owe Jesus complete obedience. He’s your ultimate boss with authority over every area of your life.2
That is my opinion and my posted blog. Everyone is entitled to express an opinion. However, not all opinions are equally valid. The blog incorporates evidence that supports that Jesus is the Lord.
On June 19, 2024, I received a Facebook message from a Muslim in response to this post. His response was a simple, “Jesus is not god” with no evidence to support his claim. Without evidence, his statement carries no more impact than a gnat colliding with an I-beam.
Weigh opinions. Mine them for supporting evidence. Providing evidence is how to keep your opinions from incinerating. It separates fact from fiction. #freechristiandiscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
1. James Gandolfini the Gentle Giant 1961-2013 Finally Jim if Heaven Exists What Would You Like to Hear God Say at the Pearly Gates? Lipton Asks After Thinking for a Moment Gandolfini Responds Take Over for a While I'll Be Right Back | Dank Meme on ME.ME
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com
God has empowered me to write “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength.” It’s a free devotional discipleship resource. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,400 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 4,701 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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