Jesus is God

Jesus exists as both fully God and fully human. Scripture presents the Word as eternal, uncreated, and the agent of creation, then declares that the Word became flesh without losing divine nature. The incarnation displays divine authority embracing human vulnerability: Jesus submits in role and function while remaining equal in essence with the Father. John 1 and Philippians 2 anchor that truth—eternity dwelling in time, Creator speaking creation into being, and God humbling himself without surrendering deity.

The crucifixion demonstrates divine intention rather than defeat. Mockery, scourging, and nails culminate in a deliberate yielding of spirit that releases cosmic consequences: the temple veil rips, the earth quakes, rocks split, and tombs open. Those signs show access to God shifting from restricted ritual to universal invitation; death’s dominion begins to be dismantled the moment Jesus yields his life. Resurrection power starts before the empty tomb, answering centuries of faith from patriarchs and prophets who trusted God’s promise of vindication.

Death stands deprived of ultimate authority because the one who owns life also holds the keys of death and Hades. The cross serves as a decisive act that crushes sin’s legal hold and inaugurates new access to God by the Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit goes, bondage, sickness, and darkness must give way; the same power that raised the dead now moves to resurrect purpose, heal bodies, and restore relationships. Faith transcends time: men and women who trusted God before Christ’s coming find their faith fulfilled when resurrection authority breaks the grave’s grip.

An open invitation invites response now. The torn veil means presence that was once limited now flows freely; people everywhere can encounter God’s nearness, be forgiven, and begin a lifelong path of discipleship. The victory at Calvary rewrites identity, hope, and destiny—death becomes a temporary boundary, not the final word—and the resurrection power that answered the cross presses into everyday struggle, offering renewal, courage, and a future reunion with those who have gone before.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus fully God and fully human The incarnation affirms that Jesus did not cease being God when he became man; instead the eternal Word entered history and embraced human limits while retaining divine nature. That dual reality explains why Jesus could submit in role to the Father without forfeiting equality. This truth grounds worship, trust, and the possibility of a God who knows suffering from the inside. [02:13]
• 2. The Word created all things Scripture locates the Word at the beginning as Creator, not as a creature; creation happened through the Word who spoke reality into being. That means Jesus stands above every created thing and cannot be a product of the world he made. Recognizing this restores awe and offers confidence that the risen Lord rules over every trouble that now opposes life. [04:27]
• 3. The cross tore the temple veil The torn veil turned restricted access into open access: the barrier between God’s presence and people ended at the cross. This change makes personal encounter with God ordinary rather than exceptional, available in cars, homes, and on street corners as the Spirit moves. The torn curtain signals a new economy of grace where direct access to God is a present reality. [17:57]
• 4. Death lost its authority forever The earth-shattering events at Calvary and the opening of graves proclaim that death no longer holds final power. Resurrection power began when Jesus released his spirit, serving notice to the grave and giving believers a present hope that transcends decay. Holding the keys of death, the risen Lord enables restoration, healing, and the sure hope of reunion beyond the grave. [36:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:24] - Billboard provokes discussion
• [01:53] - Does Jesus have a God?
• [04:27] - John 1: The Word was God
• [06:38] - The Word became flesh
• [13:04] - The suffering and mockery
• [16:38] - “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
• [17:57] - Veil torn and cosmic signs
• [18:31] - Graves opened and witnesses
• [27:08] - Resurrection power before Easter
• [36:47] - Jesus holds keys of death
• [45:26] - Invitation to respond
• [48:44] - Blessing and commission

Based on the sermon summary and transcript provided, here is a Bible study discussion guide.

Bible Reading
John 1:1, 14 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 27:50-53 (ESV)
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,
53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Observation questions

1. According to John 1, what three things are true about the "Word" from the very beginning?
2. What specific, visible events happened in nature and in the temple the moment Jesus yielded up his spirit? [17:57]
3. The sermon mentions that the people who came out of the tombs were described as "saints" and "godly." What question does this raise about their faith, considering this happened before Jesus' resurrection? [29:06]
4. What did the Roman soldiers who were just mocking Jesus conclude after witnessing these events? [19:39]

Interpretation questions

1. The veil tearing from top to bottom signifies a change in how people access God's presence. What was the old system of access, and what is the new reality that the torn veil represents? [21:06]
2. How does the fact that Jesus "yielded" or "released" his spirit change the perspective of the cross from a moment of defeat to a moment of powerful, intentional victory? [17:30]
3. The resurrection of these saints occurred before Jesus walked out of His own tomb. What does this tell us about where the power of resurrection truly comes from and when it was activated? [27:08]
4. People like Abraham and Job trusted in a future resurrection and redemption long before Jesus came. How is it possible for faith to be effective even before the promised event has happened in history? [30:45]

Application questions

1. The torn veil means God's presence is no longer confined to a single place. How does this truth change where and how you expect to encounter God in your daily life—during your commute, at work, or at home? [21:06]
2. Jesus holds the keys of death, meaning He has ultimate authority over what seems final and hopeless. What is one situation in your life that feels "impossible to escape," and how can trusting in His authority over death change your perspective on it? [37:53]
3. Because the power of death has been broken, its effects—like sickness, broken relationships, and purposelessness—also lose their ultimate hold. What area of your life feels bound or in need of resurrection power right now? [38:53]
4. The faith of Old Testament saints was answered at the cross, showing that belief does not expire. How does this encourage you if you have been praying for something or someone for a long time without seeing an answer? [35:55]
5. The cross guarantees a future reunion with loved ones who died in Christ. How does this hope provide comfort when you grieve, and how might it change the way you talk about death with others? [40:29]
6. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in every believer. What would it look like to rely on that power for courage in a difficult conversation or for strength to break a sinful habit this week?