Shalom,
Let’s admit it that we often forget God's Word because we are consumed with our problems – that are troubling and painful – while the clock is ticking. Do we still remember last week’s sermon on how we should live by the Word with spiritual integrity?
Now, I would like to challenge all of us through today’s topic to respond by doing a meaningful action – confessing Jesus as the Son of God. Don't we always call the name of Jesus – without realizing it or not – in our prayers? So, why do we still discuss the decision to confess Jesus as the Son of God?
Let’s study further regarding what happened in the Gospel of Luke 12:1-12. At that time there were thousands of people gathering that they were jostling to hear Jesus. Then Jesus began His teaching which was primarily meant for His disciples. He said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy." (v. 1) Besides hypocrisy, leaven referred to the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:12).
Clearly Jesus’ doctrine came from the Trinity. Proof? Here are some conclusions we can draw from Luke 12:1-12:
- Accepting Jesus' doctrine that came from the Father at all costs (vv. 1-7) → God the Father
Can you imagine there were thousands of people crowding together to hear Jesus preaching but then He, loudly and boldly, warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees? In other words, there was another doctrine creeping in amidst that gathering. The apostle Paul once warned the Corinthians that a little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6). Do we really want to mix Jesus' teaching with the leaven of another teaching? Jesus' teaching is indeed hard. Why? Because it is unleavened. On the other hand, “leaven” makes another teaching rise—expand and become bigger—but it is empty inside.
Jesus knew that the scribes and Pharisees inclined to twist healthy biblical doctrine. Their teachings contained merely partial truth and half lies that Jesus further said, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed” (Luke 12:2).
When Jesus was teaching, many Jews marveled that having never studied, Jesus had extensive knowledge of the Scriptures (John 7:15). And His word was with authority —casting out demons and healing various diseases (Luke 4:32).
What was Jesus’ response toward the Jews? Sternly He answered, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7: 16) Again He said, “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (John 12: 49-50).
Now we know that Jesus' doctrine came from His Heavenly Father, the Father of all living things. And His saying is alive. Jesus is the Word that came from the Father.
In our bible reading, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of doubting certain verses and holding on to other verses that cater to our desires. Remember, Jesus and the Father never change. And the true doctrine always correlates with the Triune God from the beginning to the end of the earth.
Jesus further said not to fear those who are able to kill the (physical) body but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Who is he? Jesus, the Word (Matthew 10: 28). Revelation 20:11-15 also confirms that He who sits on the great white throne will judge the dead according to their works. Who is He? Jesus, the Son of Man, whom all judgment has been committed to (John 5:22,27).
Now the question is: do we truly believe in Jesus and His Word that guarantee eternal life? Or, do we still have even the slightest doubt?
- Confessing the Son of Man that is Jesus (vv. 8-9) → God the Son
“Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
It often happens that people perform miracles and even cast out demons in Jesus’ name but they know Him not, nor are they known by Him (Matthew 7:21-23). Who is this Jesus? In His pre- crucifixion ministry, no one understood the purpose of His coming into the world. Nevertheless, John the Baptist and Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God (John 1:34; Matthew 16:16). Upon seeing Jesus who came to Bethany to raise Lazarus who had been dead for four days, Martha said, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27). The fact is some say that Jesus is a Healer, and others a Prophet (Matthew 16:14). Ironically, there are some who believe in Him but dare not confess Him publicly for fear of ostracism and such people love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).
It’s not easy, I admit, to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Even when Jesus made claims about Himself that He was the Christ, the Son of God (Luke 22:66-70), He had to suffer and die on the cross. What about us, His church? Are we willing to confess Jesus as the Son of God at all costs? Or, do we believe but too afraid to confess Him for fear of losing pastoral position or a promising career at work? Worse than that, there is a doctrine that does not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God but rather as a lesser God.
Peter did deny Jesus (Luke 22:54-61). However, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, he was the first to confess Jesus as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:14,36). The risk? He was arrested and imprisoned. Same story with Saul. He hated Jesus so much that he breathed threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord (Acts 9:1-2). Yet, upon meeting Jesus whom he persecuted, he was converted. And he was filled with the Holy Spirit and then confessed that Jesus was the Son of God and the Christ (vv. 20,22). So were the other apostles, they were commanded by the Sanhedrin not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus. And often, they were beaten and committed to prison. Still, they became more diligent in preaching the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. And, by the spirit of God, they confessed Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God (1 Corinthians 12:1-3).
Pay attention to this, if we confess Him before men, the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. Now, regarding the flesh and the blood of the Son of Man, do we confess the Lord’s Supper merely as sacramental food? Or, do we truly believe that by eating His flesh and drinking His blood we have eternal life – we abide in Him and He in us? (John 6:53-57)
- Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (vv. 10-12) → Holy Spirit
Beware, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven! In addition, this text also shows us the important role of the Holy Spirit: when we are brought before authorities we are not to worry about how or what we should answer or say. For the Holy Spirit will teach us in that very hour what we ought to say (v. 12).
Do you know that the Holy Spirit came from God the Father? And this is the same Spirit, whom Jesus requested from the Father, to be our Helper so that we would not be left orphans when He returned to His Father (John 14:16,18).
Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God Himself. The world does not know Him but Jesus’ disciples (and we) know Him (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth (John 16:13) so that we know God the Father and the Word as the absolute Truth. Do we know the Holy Spirit? The Apostle John warns us not to believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). There is only one Holy Spirit, and only one God, and only one Jesus → God the Trinity.
The doctrine of the Trinity is powerful to counter the leaven of false teaching. We cannot live in the truth if we ignore God's love, and reject the Word, and refuse to be led by the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth. Hence, let’s not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30) because He wants to abide in us as prophesied by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16-18; Joel 2:28-29). Stephen once rebuked the Jewish congregation, the elders and the scribes who resisted the Holy Spirit as their fathers had done (Acts 7:48-53). What was the cost of preaching the truth for him? Stephen died as a martyr (vv. 58-60).
What is the significance of the Holy Spirit? Firstly, the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). There are many (evil) spirits in this world but there is only one Holy Spirit. Secondly, the Holy Spirit Himself makes intercession for us (Romans 8:25-26). We may be eloquent prayers but the Spirit helps in our weaknesses because He knows our groaning which cannot be uttered. And lastly, we receive the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5-7).
The Holy Spirit is a Person with feelings – He can be angry, sad etc. He was even able to kill Ananias and Sapphira who lied to Him (Acts 5:1-10). Remember, lying to the Holy Spirit is the same as lying to God. This does not mean that we should be afraid of and maintain a distance from God. Instead, it is a reminder that love (agape) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
It has become clear now that Jesus' doctrine on the works of the Trinity– God the Father dwells in the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus (the Christ and the Son of God) and the Holy Spirit help His church to grow up in these last days. We have found help from our Heavenly Father, from Jesus (the Son of God and the Christ) as well as from the Holy Spirit. Such help we do not get from this world. This is difficult to explain because spiritual things can only be compared with spiritual for those who love God (1 Corinthians 2:9-13). So, let’s confess boldly and confidently that Jesus is the Son of God. Amen.