Who Is Jesus? — David Hocking

This message is entitled who is Jesus and is given by dr. David Hawking.

Jesus Christ in Colossians 1

Who is who? Jesus. Colossians chapter 1 one of the greatest passages on the person of Jesus Christ in all of the scripture and One which contains some amazing statements about the person of the Son of God Jesus Christ our Lord.

Colossians chapter 1 and beginning at verse 15 and. And he is the image of the invisible God the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created both in the heavens and on earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through him and For him.

And he is before all things and in him all things hold together. He also he is also head of the body the church and he is the beginning the firstborn from the dead. So that he himself might come to have first place in everything for it was the father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in him and Through him to reconcile all things to himself having made peace through the blood of his cross.

Through him I say whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly Alienated and hostile in mind engaged in evil deeds yet He has now reconciled you in his fleshly body through death in order to present you before him Holy and blameless and beyond reproach if indeed you continue in the faith firmly Established and steadfast and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard which was proclaimed in all Creation under heaven and of which I Paul was made a minister.

Join me in a moment of prayer our Father in heaven how we thank you and praise you for your word that brings us the truth the truth concerning your son Jesus Christ. Remember again his words on that last night that last evening before he went to the cross.

We remember that he said I am the way and the truth and the life and that no man cometh unto the father but through me God we realize the seriousness of that as we are attempting in our own way to find peace with God.

As human beings all over this planet try to discover ultimate reality through their own efforts. They try to be what they think is a standard of goodness In order to be acceptable with you and to find favor with you.

And yet Jesus your son has said That there isn't any other way to the father. There isn't any hope of everlasting life except through him God we pray that you will impress upon our hearts today That truth that it is only Jesus Christ who is capable of bringing us salvation.

And it is only possible for us to have eternal life through what he has accomplished. And we thank you for it in Jesus name. Amen. Who is Jesus? We want to approach this today in three ways one by looking at his identification with the Creator mentioned in verse 15.

And the last part of that verse will be looking at his involvement with creation where does the Son of God stand in terms of creation and. Then third we're going to look at his intention for the Church of Jesus Christ, which is a vital part of understanding who he is.

Really, do you know who Jesus is? All of the discussions that one reads about Jesus one wonders how much people really know. Who really is? Jesus Christ, I might also tell you that if you are a Christian and have been for a long long time and You know the Word of God and you know the truths concerning Christ.

You'll be interested to know that this particular passage is the one passage that receives probably more various interpretations Concerning the person of Christ than any other. There are certain cultic groups who love to harp on this particular passage as though it somehow Detracts from the person of Christ or at least brings him down from recognizing his deity.

It's very interesting and very important to the believer as well as to the unbeliever. Certainly because without your confidence in the person of Christ without your trust in Jesus as Lord. The Bible says you can't be saved if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Whatever that means and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. You should be saved. So to understand what it means when it says Jesus is Lord is vital to knowing that you are a Christian that you are truly Saved.

You cannot simply believe in the Jesus. Many people talk about that simply a human being who died as an example great martyr. Who gave us teachings that we can follow and have a measure of happiness that is not the Jesus that can save you.

There are important aspects of that Jesus for certainly his lifestyle is one we should emulate. It will bring the greatest happiness to us if we do follow his teachings. But that is not the point of Jesus Christ.

The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost and apart from recognizing who he is. There isn't any salvation no matter how much you try to follow his teachings no matter how much personal happiness you may want now.

Well, the issue is is he who the Bible says he is. If he isn't then he can't save you. Salvation is relegated to only being in this life. If there's a life after death and if there is an eternal life, then Jesus has to be what the Bible says He is.

Otherwise, it's impossible to have a Savior and we'll show you why before we're through. So let's look first of all at verse 15 his identification with the Creator. A lot of people do not want to Accept the fact that the Bible equates in some sense Jesus with the Heavenly Father.

This particular statement appears in verse 15 that he is the image of the invisible God. He is the image of the invisible God. Now if you do not believe that Jesus is the same as God. He certainly is not the same as the father.

But he is the same as God as we shall show you in a moment. If you do not believe that he is God. One of the passages that people who hold that will argue is first is Colossians chapter 1 verse 15. They will say he's merely the image of God.

He is not truly God or he couldn't be the image of God. Is that really so. Well, let me share three things with you about that particular phrase number one. He is a revelation of God. He is a revelation of the invisible God.

Jesus had a human body. Jesus ate he got tired. Jesus ate food. He walked he he did things that normal human beings do. He was all man. He was a man who lived here yet. The Bible says he's an image of the invisible God.

Therefore he is in some sense a revelation of the invisible God. How can you and I know the invisible. The answer is it's impossible because we've been constructed as three-dimensional creatures. We see here taste smell touch so forth and we have to know through those senses.

The invisible God how could you and I ever know who the invisible God is unless he revealed himself in a visible three-dimensional way. The truth of the gospel is that Jesus Christ is the complete and final revelation of God to man.

Hebrews 1 1 and 2 says God in various ways and in various methods and times in the Old Testament Revealed himself spoke directly to the prophets. But in Hebrews 1 2 it says God in these last days has spoken to us in his son.

Jesus Christ is the revelation of God how he speaks to you. How do you know who he is God? How do you know who God is only by looking at Jesus? He's certainly a revelation of the invisible God by the very statement that he's an image.

Number two, it also means that he's a complete and adequate Representation of God. I want to explain this the meaning of the word image. To see Jesus is truly to see the Father. The word image used here is literally a copy and the best Illustration would be to see your face in the water as you look down into the water or in a mirror you see an image.

Let me make this statement. It might help you. Every image is a likeness. But every likeness is not an image. And that's very important. Two men can look alike, but it doesn't mean they're derived from the same source.

The word used here is an exact representation it is that person a reflection of that person himself a complete representation of that person. Christ is a Representation that is complete and adequate in every sense of the father.

In John 14 8 and 9 8 and 9 Philip said one of the disciples to Jesus. He said show us the father. We've never seen him show him to us. Jesus said Philip have I been so long time with you and you have not known me.

He who has seen me has seen the Father. Yes, Jesus Christ is an image an exact Representation of the Heavenly Father. If you see Jesus you have seen the Heavenly Father according to Jesus. Number three he has a specific relationship with the father in that He's called image.

The word image does not mean he is the same as in every sense. It does mean there's something that is the same when I look into the mirror the image. That's in the mirror is not strictly me, but yet in another sense.

It is me. It is a reflection and a manifestation of the exact characteristics of me. As I look into a pool of water I see myself. I see we say our image. Now that in the water is not me, but it is in a sense me by way of representation.

Let me explain what I mean. Christ and the Father. The Son and the Father are exactly the same in Substance or nature or being. They are both God. In John 1 1 it says in the beginning was the word speaking of Christ the Revelation of God.

The message of God in the beginning was the word. The word was with God and the word was God. And Verse 14 says the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld him. The glory is of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.

Jesus. Clearly in substance and nature is God. The father is God. Jesus is God. Are they one in the same. There are those who believe that there isn't any difference at all that Jesus historically is the same as the father.

It's just two different names of the same person. That is not what the Bible teaches. Christ is a perfect representation of the father, but he is separate from him in personality and in work. He is an image.

An image does not mean that he is the same as in every respect. He's only the same as in terms of image. Which means he's a full manifestation of all the characteristics and attributes of the Heavenly Father.

Everything the Heavenly Father is by way of attribute. Jesus is Bible calls a father eternal. The Bible says Jesus is eternal calls him immutable as we heard today. So is Jesus the unchanging Christ. The Bible says the father is omniscient.

So is Jesus omniscient says he's omnipotent. So is Jesus says the father is omnipresent. So is Jesus as a matter of fact everything I've said so far is also true of the Holy Spirit. They are all one in the same in terms of attributes substance nature and being but they are separate in terms of personality and work.

The word image as far as I'm concerned is the most Accurate the most beautiful word that could possibly be used to describe who Jesus really is and the Holy Spirit of God chose the very word that would express equality and substance and nature and yet Separation by terms of personality and work.

He is the image of the invisible God. Well, let's look at his involvement with the creation. When you have that kind of a statement your immediate question is well one who is that fantastic and great.

What involvement does he have with that which is created? I mean, how do we get to know him personally and what kind of care and concern would he have for that? Which is created and I love the little expression that you see in the screen of that shepherd with a sheep.

Talk about involvement with a creation. He loves us and the Bible continues to remind us of that. But I think we need to get a glimpse of who he is in relationship to the creation in order for us to understand What our relationship is to it?

Christ’s Preeminence Over Creation

Let me show you what I mean first of all as to his preeminence in verse 15, it says that he is the firstborn of all creation. The firstborn the first thing I want you to see about his involvement with creation is his preeminence.

Preeminence he's the firstborn of all creation now. I don't know if you have come across this friends. But this happens to be a phrase that is greatly contested and debated concerning the person of Christ.

People say something like this if he's the firstborn then how can he be eternal. If he had a beginning then how could he possibly be eternal and. It says the firstborn of all creation. There are many people who realize that the Bible teaches that Jesus existed before he was born as a baby in Bethlehem.

I hope you know that the Bible does teach he existed before he was born as a baby. That's called the incarnation of the Son of God. He became flesh as a baby in Bethlehem. But he existed before then the Bible teaches the pre-existence of the Son of God.

Who willingly came to this world world invaded this planet and became flesh and man and grew up as a man? So that we might know and understand the everlasting God in human form the only way we could properly identify with it.

But that Jesus existed before he was born as a babe, but some people say yeah, we know that. But this says the firstborn of all creation, which means the first thing created or born by God. The father would be Jesus.

So some cults have Jesus being created just before the universe is created. He's the first one to be created. Now. Is that the proper view of this word firstborn? What does that mean? Well, it's used nine times in the New Testament, and I want to just quickly run through them for you.

It is so important. You better be ready because folks if you start sharing your faith in Jesus Christ. You're going to run into this problem with people. Because there are many people who use this argument against the person of Jesus Christ.

And if they can argue that then they completely destroy the whole point of salvation firstborn of all creation on Two occasions in Matthew 125 and Luke 2 7. It's the same incident. It's concerning Mary's son and it calls Jesus Mary's firstborn son.

That's very interesting. It is possible to argue on the basis of that that firstborn means exactly what you think it does. Unless any other scripture Usage of that word would reflect upon it. It certainly does but for right now just looking at that It appears that what it means is Christ was the first one born in the family of Mary and Joseph.

That's used in Matthew 125 Luke 2 7. That's usually what they'll use to prove their point to you. Take your Bibles and turn to Romans chapter 8 verse 29 and go quickly with me if you can. Romans 8 29 It says for whom he foreknew.

Speaking of God whom he foreknew he knew ahead of time. He also predestinated to become conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Now this usage of firstborn in Romans 8 29 Immediately causes us to question the meaning of firstborn in the case of Mary's firstborn son.

Why? Because from the standpoint of time it simply is not true that Christ Was born first among the other brothers. Referring to the person of Christ. Why are we to be conformed to the image of his son so that he be firstborn among the brethren?

Why is that even necessary if he was the firstborn he was? Period. If he's the firstborn from the standpoint of time then he already is the firstborn. Why does the Bible say that the father foreknew those who are going to come to Christ and he Predestinated them to be conformed to the image of his son.

So that he might be the firstborn. In what sense is Christ becoming the firstborn through you and me coming to know Christ. You see from the standpoint of time firstborn cannot mean the first one born in a family in that particular context.

No, it must mean something different. I personally hold the word firstborn by the way to keep you flowing and thinking with me means unique unique the only one of its kind and That is true in that statement in Romans 8 29 as well as in Mary's family.

Because in Mary's family Jesus was a unique son because his other brothers and sisters and he did have them by the way mentioned in Mark 6 3 after Joseph and Mary did get married and had children the natural way.

Jesus was certainly unique among all those other children. No question about it. He was born of a virgin and was truly the Son of God. But this this passage clearly tells me it's impossible for Jesus to be first from the standpoint of time.

Turn over to Hebrews chapter 1 we're gonna look at three passages real quick here in Hebrews. Hebrews 1 verse 6 and Speaking of Jesus Christ and one of the great passages concerning Christ in the Bible.

Hebrews 1 verse 6 The father is talking and the reference to what the father has just said about his son being special to him. It says when he again brings the firstborn Into the world. He says let all the angels of God worship him.

Again, the emphasis of this passage is the uniqueness of the Son of God that would demand all angels to worship him. The Bible specifically says that all the angels of God are to worship Jesus. It's quite a statement.

Turn to chapter 11, please of Hebrews chapter 11 and look at verse 28 here. It's used in another sense. Hebrews 11 verse 28 by faith He kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood is talking about Moses.

So that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them namely the Israelites. Here the word firstborn is referring to the firstborn of the households of Egypt and Again, you could argue. Well firstborn there means the first son born.

Obviously yes, it does. But also the uniqueness is the only word that is consistent with all these passages and uniqueness applies here also unique in the sense of the Passover and the Sparing of the household of Israel if they had the blood in the doorposts the Egyptians who did not put of that blood in the door posts Experienced their firstborn son being killed and it was unique in the sense of what God had said in the situation Surrounding their exodus from Egypt.

Turn over to chapter 12 verse 23. Here's an interesting one chapter 12 verse 23 talking about the Church of Jesus Christ it says to the General Assembly and Church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven and To God the judge of all men and the spirits of righteous men made perfect the church of The firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.

Now back at verse 22. He's talking to the believers and saying you have come to Mount Zion the city of the Living God the heavenly Jerusalem myriads of angels talking about our future hope and That there's a church of the firstborn who are rolled in heaven.

Now they aren't firstborn again from the standpoint of time. I Remind you that in heaven are many Old Testament believers. They are not firstborn from the standpoint of time they are firstborn from the standpoint of being unique a Unique body of people in heaven distinct from Old Testament believers.

That's the Church of Jesus Christ. Again, the word unique the other usage is in Revelation 1 5, but since it's the same as Colossians 1. Let's go back to Colossians again. I know a lot of this seems a little thick, but let's come back again to Colossians 1.

In Colossians 1 Christ is called the firstborn of all creation. Then will you notice please verse 18? The word firstborn is again used here and this particular phrase firstborn from the dead. Also appears in Revelation 1 5 Christ is called the firstborn out of the dead ones.

Now I ask you a question. Was Christ the first one to have been resurrected from the dead. No, he was not the first book of firstborn that sense as a matter of fact Lazarus himself was raised from the dead before Jesus died and Arose from the dead.

There are some examples in the Old Testament at least of resuscitation. But resident resurrection actually occurred. We have also the incident when Christ died on the cross and the veil of the temple was rent.

The Bible says Old Testament saints were resurrected the graves of Old Testament believers and came out and we're walking around. Giving witness to the fact of what had happened an unusual event a lot of people read over that scripture in Matthew 27 and forget that Fact no Christ was not the firstborn.

First in the standpoint of time of those who were resurrected from the dead. However, we'd have to say he certainly was the only unique one who arose from the dead because up until that time everybody who was Resurrected from the dead by miraculous power also died again.

Christ never died. He's still alive and the Bible says he's therefore the firstfruits of those who are sleeping in Jesus waiting the final resurrection. Which is based on his resurrection being unique above all other Resurrections and we will rise from the dead and live forever because Christ himself rose from the dead and lives forever.

Yes, I think the only adequate interpretation is that Christ is unique. Therefore. What does that mean? Colossians 1 15 again He's the image of the invisible God who is Jesus the image of the invisible God the full revelation of who God is.

Secondly, he is the firstborn of all creation the unique one of all creation in God's plan. Everything he's been making the world man animals everything. What is the point of that the point of it is that Christ would be the unique one in all the creation?

The father wants the son by the way to be glorified. The father wants the son to be glorified one. One lady asked me a question here recently. Isn't it possible that we will honor Jesus too much and not honor the father?

I think if we don't talk about the father that probably is true, but I want you to know that Theologically, it is impossible to honor Jesus too much. That is an impossibility. The Bible says he who honors the son honors the father.

It is impossible Theologically to honor Jesus too much. Jesus ought to be number one in your life. The Bible continues to emphasize that it is the father's desire that he be first in our midst. There'd be no question about who's number one in our life and everything.

We do say and believe He's the firstborn of all creation. So his preeminence. Let's look at the matter of his power verse 16 and 17. It says he created all things verse 16 for in him all things Were created both in the heavens and on earth visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created.

Watch this through him and For him. Now if you're a good Bible student, I suggest three words to underline in verse 16 in him beginning at the verse and at the last part of the verse through him and For him.

Three different prepositions in him through him and for him. The last one is technically unto him, but it does have the idea of for him In him through him and unto him. Let me show you what that means in terms of his power in creation number one the origin of that power the Bible says that in Christ all Things were created.

I want you to realize one thing right now that many cults do not believe. According to the scripture the power to create Was not granted to Jesus by the father, but was already in Jesus. It is a power that he has in and of himself in him.

All things were created. It's a very important point. No, the father did not say to Jesus one day I'd like you to help me in creation and I know that you're not able to do it. But I'll tell you what, I'll I'll do it through you.

Believe me many many people believe that oh. No, the father was involved in creation. Jesus was involved in creation and so was the Holy Spirit and the power to create was in and of themselves. It was not being worked through them by another source.

Jesus had the ability to create all things in and of himself. Do you really know who Jesus is? Same one who walked the hills of Galilee those dusty roads the same one who taught the multitudes so many years ago.

He is the same one who created all things according to the Bible and has that power in and of himself. You know, I'm glad to know that because that means there's unlimited resources available to me. Because the power of Jesus Christ is available to you and me.

Did you know that it takes the same power to create the universe that it does to create a new life? In you did you know that did you know the Bible describes a person becoming Christian becoming a Christian as making it necessary for the power? of creation to act in order for it to happen.

That may show you why it is so foolish for us to think we can Turn over a new leaf or somehow reform ourselves people. We don't have the ability to do that. God says because of our sin, we can't save ourselves.

It takes the power of Christ to save us the same power that was exercised in creating this universe. The Bible describes it as the same power necessary to create Spiritual life and you and me to be truly born again.

Now you'll realize the enormity of that issue to become a Christian. Demands the power of God the same power that he used in creation. In terms of the operation of that power. The Bible says it is through him.

That means that Jesus was actually involved in the creation not simply that he has the power in himself, but wasn't involved. No. He actually was involved in John 1 3 it says all things were made. Through him and without him was not anything made that was made.

That's quite a statement. Who Jesus Christ all things made through his agency? Third the objective of that power all things were created for him or unto him. Everything that's been created is designed to go towards Jesus Christ and praise his name.

That's why we read in the book of Revelation in chapter 5 how the the one who came who was worthy to open the book. The title deed to the universe was the same one who owned the universe the same one who made the universe.

Worthy as the lamb that was slain to receive all the glory and power. I Asked you have you watered down Jesus in your own life? Have you really I? Think this is a serious issue many of us. We get our ticket to heaven and we act as though Jesus is kind of being manipulated and directed by what we want to do.

Even our prayer life reveals that yet. It is he who is on the throne it is he who is in charge and everything that's been created Is for his glory and his praise and that includes you and me. Romans 1136 says for out of him and through him and unto him are all things all.

Things have been created for the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. The third thing that we want you to notice about Jesus in this passage deals with his pre-existence according to verse 17 he is. Before all things some people have him in the stream of all things in human history.

They see him only as the baby born in Bethlehem who was somehow godlike in quality. But never was quite what the Bible says. Oh, listen. The Bible says he was before all things before anything ever was created.

There was Jesus the Son of God the eternal God Who became man was before anything that had ever been created or designed. And the fourth thing? We want you to see an amazing fact deals with the providence of Jesus Christ the providence.

What does providence mean? Providence refers to the control of things and sustaining of them. We speak of somebody's providential control over them. And this is an amazing statement in verse 17. I want you to look at that.

It says in him Christ all things hold together. Literally they stand together. They're in place. Everything that's been created is in place through the power of Jesus Christ. Interesting. Argument along with this is from Hebrews 1 3 that says concerning Jesus.

He upholds or sustains all things by the word of his power. All he has to do is speak a word. It's interesting by his word. He's going to destroy the heavens by his word. He created the heavens by his word.

He controls them and sustains them and keeps them in their proper place. Why do not the planets crash? Why do we have physical laws such as gravity? How does this whole thing sustain itself? I? Don't know if you're a scientific buff, but when you really get down to serious attention to those matters.

It's impossible to prove the origin of those sources. It's impossible to sustain in your own mind how things can possibly hold together. What is the glue that is sustaining the universes? Galaxies upon galaxies as we know now hundreds of the millions of them.

Stars everywhere over a hundred million in our own galaxy not counting the many galaxies out in space. What's holding it all together people? Where's the orbiting processes? How do you understand that?

Why are not the world's crashing and colliding and who can explain the weather system, and how do we know all these things? Who can explain while we flip something in the air and it comes down? Why we get out into space and it doesn't.

The Bible says that he is sustaining he is holding all things together by his own power. He who is before all things he who made all things is the same one who's causing everything to stand together. Isn't that fantastic that right now our whole world is being Providentially controlled by Jesus Christ.

I kind of think that's why the Bible says that God sits in the heavens and laughs at those who mock Him. Those who think they're running things those who laugh at these concepts. Why God himself is sitting in the heavens and laughing according to the scriptures.

How foolish man is to think that he's in control of anything? God Almighty is running things and Jesus is sustaining the universe by his own power. And anybody is as powerful as that and just think the Bible says he lives in your heart.

Every time I study a passage like this. I can't get over that Jesus lives in my heart to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. And he is the eternal God who has all this power. How foolish that we would Fail to believe him and to trust him.

Not to believe that God could empower us. Not to see that inward strength is 5 ,000 times more important than outward external strength. Not to see that he who is great and mighty and created everything is working in you.

Both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Paul wrote I unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think. According to the power that is working in us. I have but a drop of that enormous eternal all power of Christ himself in my life.

And yet I do not tap the unlimited resources of that power. How foolish I am. Let's come to the matter of his intention for the church described in Colossians 1 18 to 23. Which is all a part of who is Jesus?

Christ’s Authority as Head of the Church

Who is Jesus by the way much of what I've already said and not to promote anything for promotion sake. But many people have expressed the benefit of this is a little pamphlet. Who is Jesus? You can pick them up in the book room.

Spread them out give them to everybody you want to who is Jesus. Many of the ideas that are here are in here plus more His intention for the church. I want you to see several things. First of all his place of authority.

Verse 18 says he is also head of the body the church. He is head of the body the church by the way in the original language. That's very emphatic and we would translate it. He himself is the head as though we all need to be Reminded of that.

It's as though we as human beings are always substituting ourselves as the authority. Let me illustrate this. You know, I believe in leadership. I really do. I believe the Bible teaches leadership. I believe God gave gifts of leadership to the church.

He gave pastor teachers evangelist apostles prophets. The Bible says I believe he also gave spiritual gifts to members of the body of Christ. Gift of administration. Gift of leadership. I believe leadership is important.

You could illustrate it a hundred different ways in the Old Testament and new. Leadership is important. But the other day I was reading in Judges chapter 1 verse 1 and when Joshua died. The people had nowhere to turn but to the Lord.