The Divine Nature and Sonship of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Nature of Jesus' Mission

Jesus' existence did not begin with his birth in Bethlehem. He pre-existed as the divine Son of God, incarnated through the Virgin Mary, embodying both divine and human natures. This profound mystery of the incarnation is central to understanding Jesus' mission and identity. The Gospel of John and the writings of Paul affirm that Jesus was sent from heaven, not born in the ordinary sense. This challenges misconceptions, particularly among those from other faiths, who may struggle with the idea of God having a son. Understanding Jesus' pre-existence helps us grasp the depth of his mission to redeem humanity and the significance of his divine nature. [05:10]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus' pre-existence and divine mission change the way you view his role in your life today?

Day 2: The Word Made Flesh

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the "Word" (Logos), who was with God and was God. This Word became flesh, dwelling among us, revealing God's glory and truth. This concept is vital for addressing misconceptions about Jesus' divine nature. The incarnation of the Word signifies that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, bridging the gap between humanity and the divine. This understanding challenges us to see Jesus not just as a historical figure but as the living embodiment of God's presence and truth in the world. [08:04]

John 1:14 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the presence of the Word made flesh into your daily life, allowing His truth to transform you?

Day 3: The Fullness of God in Christ

Paul's writings affirm that in Christ, the fullness of God dwells bodily. This emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and his role in God's redemptive plan, challenging secular and religious misunderstandings. Understanding that Jesus embodies the fullness of God helps us appreciate the completeness of his work on the cross and his authority over all creation. It also reassures us of his sufficiency in meeting our spiritual needs and guiding us in truth. [06:14]

Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

Reflection: How does knowing that the fullness of God dwells in Christ impact your trust in Him for guidance and provision in your life?

Day 4: The Radiance and Imprint of God's Glory

Jesus is described as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature. This highlights the eternal relationship within the Trinity and the unique role of the Son in revealing God to humanity. Jesus, as the radiance of God's glory, reflects the divine nature and character of God, making the invisible God visible to us. This understanding invites us to see Jesus as the perfect representation of God's love, holiness, and power, calling us to reflect his glory in our own lives. [09:42]

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."

Reflection: In what ways can you reflect the radiance of God's glory in your interactions with others today?

Day 5: The Profound Mystery of the Trinity

The Trinity is a profound mystery, with the Son being eternally begotten, not in a physical sense, but as an eternal relationship within the Godhead. Jonathan Edwards' reflections help articulate this mystery, aiding our understanding and faith. While the mystery of the Trinity is beyond full human comprehension, it is essential to articulate it as clearly as possible to aid understanding and faith. This mystery invites us to embrace the depth of God's nature and the relational aspect of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, encouraging us to live in unity and love. [11:15]

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV): "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with each person of the Trinity, allowing their unique roles to shape your spiritual journey?

Sermon Summary

In exploring the profound mystery of Christ's divine nature and sonship, we delve into the scriptural affirmations of Jesus' pre-existence and incarnation. The Gospel of John and the writings of Paul provide a harmonious understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, who was sent from heaven, not born in the ordinary sense, but incarnated through the Virgin Mary. This incarnation signifies that Jesus, the Son, pre-existed his earthly birth, embodying both divine and human natures. The concept of Jesus as the "Word" (Logos) in John 1:1-14 is crucial for understanding his divine nature. The Word was with God and was God, and this Word became flesh, dwelling among us. This challenges misconceptions, particularly among those from other faiths, who may struggle with the idea of God having a son.

Paul's writings in Colossians affirm that in Christ, the fullness of God dwells bodily, emphasizing his divine nature. This understanding is crucial for addressing the theological challenges posed by other religions and secular perspectives. The mystery of the Trinity is not about God having a son in a physical sense but about the eternal relationship within the Godhead. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature, upholding the universe by his power.

Jonathan Edwards' reflections on the Trinity offer a philosophical perspective on the begotten nature of the Son, emphasizing the eternal and perfect understanding within the Godhead. While the mystery of the Trinity is profound and beyond full human comprehension, it is essential to articulate it as clearly as possible to aid understanding and faith.

Key Takeaways

1. existence and Incarnation:** Jesus' birth was not the beginning of his existence. He pre-existed as the divine Son of God, incarnated through the Virgin Mary, embodying both divine and human natures. This mystery of the incarnation is central to understanding Jesus' mission and identity. [05:10]
2. The Word Became Flesh: The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the "Word" (Logos), who was with God and was God. This Word became flesh, dwelling among us, revealing God's glory and truth. This concept is vital for addressing misconceptions about Jesus' divine nature.

3. Fullness of Deity in Christ: Paul's writings affirm that in Christ, the fullness of God dwells bodily. This emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and his role in God's redemptive plan, challenging secular and religious misunderstandings.

4. Radiance and Imprint of God: Jesus is described as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature. This highlights the eternal relationship within the Trinity and the unique role of the Son in revealing God to humanity.

5. The Mystery of the Trinity: The Trinity is a profound mystery, with the Son being eternally begotten, not in a physical sense, but as an eternal relationship within the Godhead. Jonathan Edwards' reflections help articulate this mystery, aiding our understanding and faith.

** [05:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:43] - Jesus Sent from Heaven
[04:06] - The Virgin Birth
[04:48] - Pre-existence of the Son
[05:10] - Incarnation Explained
[05:52] - Fullness of God in Christ
[06:33] - Understanding Christ's Divinity
[07:12] - The Word and the Son
[08:04] - The Word Became Flesh
[09:05] - Misconceptions Addressed
[09:42] - Radiance and Imprint of God
[10:21] - Eternal Sonship
[10:55] - The Mystery of the Trinity
[11:15] - Jonathan Edwards on the Trinity
[11:36] - Closing Reflections

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

John 1:1-14
Colossians 1:13-19
Hebrews 1:3

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Observation Questions:

According to John 1:1-14, how is Jesus described in relation to God and creation? What does it mean for the Word to become flesh? [08:04]
In Colossians 1:13-19, what does Paul say about the nature of Christ and his role in creation? How does this passage affirm Jesus' divine nature? [06:14]
How does Hebrews 1:3 describe the relationship between Jesus and God? What imagery is used to convey this relationship? [09:42]
What are some misconceptions about Jesus' divine nature that the sermon addresses, particularly in relation to other faiths? [07:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of Jesus as the "Word" in John 1:1-14 help clarify misunderstandings about his divine nature, especially for those from other religious backgrounds? [08:04]
What does it mean for the fullness of God to dwell bodily in Christ, as stated in Colossians 1:19? How does this challenge secular and religious misunderstandings? [06:14]
How does the description of Jesus as the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of his nature in Hebrews 1:3 deepen our understanding of the Trinity? [09:42]
The sermon mentions Jonathan Edwards' reflections on the Trinity. How do these reflections help articulate the mystery of the Trinity and aid in understanding and faith? [11:15]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea of Jesus' pre-existence and incarnation. How does this understanding impact your view of Jesus' mission and identity? How can this shape your daily walk with Christ? [05:10]
The sermon addresses misconceptions about Jesus' divine nature. Have you encountered similar misconceptions in your interactions with others? How can you effectively communicate the truth about Jesus' nature? [07:27]
Considering the fullness of deity dwelling in Christ, how does this influence your understanding of Jesus' role in God's redemptive plan? How can this understanding motivate you to share the gospel with others? [06:14]
The sermon highlights the eternal relationship within the Trinity. How does this concept of eternal sonship affect your relationship with God? How can you cultivate a deeper connection with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? [10:21]
Reflect on the mystery of the Trinity as discussed in the sermon. How can embracing this mystery strengthen your faith? What steps can you take to explore and articulate this mystery in your spiritual journey? [11:15]
How can the understanding of Jesus as the radiance and imprint of God influence your worship and devotion? What practical steps can you take to reflect God's glory in your life? [09:42]
The sermon encourages articulating the mystery of the Trinity as clearly as possible. How can you prepare yourself to explain this profound mystery to others who may struggle with the concept? [11:15]

Sermon Clips

Heaven Paul is in perfect harmony with John when he writes for example in John 6:38 Jesus being quoted here I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me namely from heaven or here it is again in 1 John 4 in this the love of God was made manifest Among Us that God sent his only son into the world. [00:03:22]

The implication is this son pre-existed this birth that's why we call this birth the Virgin birth an incarnation because a previously existing person the Son of God was incarnated he became INF fleshed he didn't come into being at the birth he existed and was stunningly miraculously United as one person in two Natures now a divine nature and a human nature as he is conceived in the Virgin Mary. [00:04:48]

We know Paul thinks in these categories of the divine nature of the son because he says in Colossians 13 and 29 or 13 to 29 he has delivered us from the domain of Darkness God has transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell to be the Son of God is to have all the fullness of God dwelling in you. [00:05:33]

In the beginning was the word the logos the reason the idea the thought and the Word was with god with God and the Word was God now there's the mystery of how you can be God and be something distinct from God the Son of God he's calling him the word here he was in the beginning with God all things were made through him without him was not anything made that was made. [00:07:53]

The word became flesh born of woman Paul says became flesh born of woman dwelt Among Us under the law as a Jew and we have seen his glory glory as the only and now he says it son so in view of all of this word word we dare not take son here to mean that somehow God had sex with Mary and Mary has a child and that child is called the son no no no no no this son here is the word who was with God and was God. [00:08:23]

He is the radiance of the glory of God he is the exact imprint of God's nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power those are crucial descriptions of how the Sun is radiant from God he an imprint from God so we come back God sent forth a pre-existent Divine person who is his son not in the sense that he had sex with Mary and therefore got himself a son mythological like. [00:09:34]

But rather that this son has been co-eternal with the father from all time has been his Radiance from all time has been his imprint from all time has been his image from all time or I guess you could say from all eternity is there a way to say that that makes it a little bit more intelligible to people well it's risky it's risky to try to press into the mystery. [00:10:32]

I'm going to close by quoting Jonathan Edwards effort to not solve or remove the mystery but to put it in words up as far as we can so here's how is Christ the son of God in what sense is he begotten the only begotten Son of God and this comes from his essay on the trinity page 103 it's a little heavy so go with me or stop the uh video and read it for yourself. [00:11:04]

Slowly as God with perfect clearness and fullness and strength understands himself views his own essence that idea which God hath of himself is absolutely himself this representation of the divine nature and essence is the divine nature and essence again so that by God's thinking of the deity must certainly be generated. [00:11:39]

The Word was with God and the Word was God now there's the mystery of how you can be God and be something distinct from God the Son of God he's calling him the word here he was in the beginning with God all things were made through him without him was not anything made that was made and the word so now he's going to shift categories the word became flesh. [00:07:57]

The word became flesh born of woman Paul says became flesh born of woman dwelt Among Us under the law as a Jew and we have seen his glory glory as the only and now he says it son so in view of all of this word word we dare not take son here to mean that somehow God had sex with Mary and Mary has a child and that child is called the son no no no no no this son here is the word who was with God and was God. [00:08:23]

He is the radiance of the glory of God he is the exact imprint of God's nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power those are crucial descriptions of how the Sun is radiant from God he an imprint from God so we come back God sent forth a pre-existent Divine person who is his son not in the sense that he had sex with Mary and therefore got himself a son mythological like. [00:09:34]

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The Divine Nature and Sonship of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Nature of Jesus' Mission

Day 2: The Word Made Flesh

Day 3: The Fullness of God in Christ

Day 4: The Radiance and Imprint of God's Glory

Day 5: The Profound Mystery of the Trinity

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

The Divine Nature and Sonship of Christ

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