Sermon Study Guides

What we believe about Jesus will one day affect where we will spend our eternity. So we must examine three major questions:

1. Did Jesus actually live on earth? Was he fully human? The short answer is YES!

The historical evidence of Christ’s existence is far greater than for any other event in ancient history. The Bible is the most historically accurate and preserved piece of literature available to us today. Two non-Christian historians, Flavius Josephus (Jewish) and Tacitus (Roman), both wrote about Jesus of Nazareth, giving clear evidence that Jesus lived on our planet around 2000 years ago.

2. On what basis do Christians believe that Jesus is God?

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:1, 14). This is saying that Jesus WAS God from before the creation of the world.

Hebrew 1:1-2 says: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets … but in these last days, he has spoken to us by His Son, … through whom also He made the universe.” A few verses later God the Father points to Jesus His Son and says, “Your throne, O GOD, will last for ever and ever” (v.8).

In Isaiah 44:6 Father God says, “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.” In Revelation 1:17 God the Son says, “I am the FIRST and the LAST. I am the LIVING ONE. I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!” Jesus is clearly identified as God here.

In John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and the Father are One,” and Jewish religious leaders were ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy (v.33).

Jesus proved He was God by doing things that only God could do—He forgave sins, quieted a raging sea, and raised people from the dead.

3. On what basis do Christians believe that Jesus is alive today?

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus died and rose again.

Numerous skeptical scholars have tried to disprove the resurrection, but they all came up empty. In fact, many of these brilliant scholars found the evidence so convincing that they put their faith in Jesus Christ.

The suggestion that the Biblical N.T. writers made up the story of Jesus doesn’t make sense. If the story is untrue, why would they present themselves in a negative light—for example, Peter denying Christ, or James and John arguing over who was the greatest? If you’re going to lie, why not make yourself look good?

Would you die for what you know is a lie? History tells us that all the apostles except John endured horrendous deaths for refusing to recant their testimony that they had seen the resurrected Christ.

Christianity would never have gotten off the ground and spread if what we read in the Bible about Jesus was made up. But Christianity didn’t die. In fact, the early church spread like wildfire.

All Jesus’ claims are TRUE, and that changes everything. Because Jesus is God, we can trust Him to redeem us and get us to heaven. Because Jesus is God, we can know that whatever He calls us to do He will empower us to do. Because Jesus Christ is God, we can KNOW our sins are truly forgiven.

Knowing Jesus is God, we have to make a decision—whether to believe Him or reject Him.

IN - PURSUE RELATIONSHIP

1. When you meet someone new, what helps you decide if they are trustworthy?

2. Have you ever talked with someone who does not believe Jesus is God? How did they respond? How did you answer?

UP - PURSUE GOD

1. Read John 1:1–2,14; Philippians 2:6–8.

What stands out about Jesus being fully God and fully human? What does this reveal about God’s love and His desire to be known by us?

2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:12–20; John 11:25–26; Revelation 1:17–18.

How does Jesus’ resurrection confirm His divinity? How does the apostles’ courage in testifying about it strengthen your confidence?

OUT - PURSUE MISSION

1. If Jesus is truly the Mighty God, what would it look like for you to live more fully in that truth? Share with the group how might this impact your decisions and priorities.

2. Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). How would you answer this question? How can you show others who Jesus is through your words and actions this week?

Personal Reflection

Write any questions you have about Jesus’ divinity and note Scriptures or trusted resources that help. Reflect on areas where you rely on yourself instead of Him. Surrender and ask Jesus to help you trust Him as fully God.

The Word (NIV)

Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1:1-2, 14
¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:6-8
⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

John 11:25-26
²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Revelation 1:17-18
¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

This Week's Writers: Elsa Henderson, Jem Ong, Jorel Quemuel