Sermon on Jesus Christ – Who Is the Son of Man?
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines Tags: Sermons on Abraham CommentsDate written: February 29th, 2008
Scripture ref: Luke 1:1-4
SUBJECT: Jesus Christ
TITLE: Who is the Son of Man?
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will ask and answer the question “Who is the Son of Man” according to the gospel of Luke chapters 1-12. We will learn that the Son of Man is 1) The one who has power to forgive sins (Luke 5:24). 2) Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). 3) The one delivered into the hands of men (Luke 9:44). 4) Not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them (Luke 9:56). 5) Hath not where to lay his head (Luke 9:58). 6) Was a sign to His generation (Luke 11:30). 7) Comes at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:40).
OBJECTIVE: The hearer should understand that Jesus was not only divine, but human and that the expression “son of man” while not unique to Jesus, emphasizes His humanity.
Aim: To reinforce in the minds of the hearer the identity of Jesus.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Luke 1:1-4
2. About the Text:
1) In these few verses, Luke proposes to tell Theophilus about the things that have been believed among us (verse 1).
2) Luke says that he wanted to be faithful to those who were eyewitnesses (verse 2).
3) He is writing to this man about these events in an orderly way.
4) He wants Theophilus to know the certainty of the things in which he is instructing him.
5) He bases these comments on the fact that he himself had a complete understanding of these things from early times.
3. About the book of Luke
1) It is the longest of the four gospel accounts though it has four chapters less than Matthew.
a. Matthew contains 18,370 words in 1071 verses.
b. Luke contains 19,496 words in 1,151 verses.
c. Luke also uses 614 words that are not used in Matthew or Mark.
2) Luke was a native Greek and the book was written in ancient Greek.
3) Many believe that the book of Luke is the gospel to the Greek.
4. Greek religion.
1) Greek religion consisted of a pantheon of gods and goddesses.
2) These gods were above reproach regardless of what they did.
3) They acted capriciously, arbitrarily, and hypocritically.
4) Man’s role in this system was simply to be the god’s entertainment.
5) The Greeks considered themselves mere puppets, play things, in the hands of the gods.
6) Simply put, the gods were the gods, and man was man; nothing more nothing less.
7) However, the teaching of the gospel among the Greeks elevated the place of man.
8) The true God wasn’t distant from man, but took the form of man.
9) The true God became the Son of Man.
5. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The Son of Man is . . .
I. The One Who has the Power to Forgive Sins – Luke 5:24 “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.”
1. The claim to forgive sin was not mere words.
1) He substantiated this claim with the miracles that He did.
2) In this instance, Jesus proved He had power to forgive sins by healing the palsied man.
2. Because He was the Son of Man He is able to forgive today as mediator of the New Covenant.
1) Hebrews 2:16-18 states “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
3. Thank God the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins.
II. The Lord of the Sabbath – Luke 6:5 “And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.”
1. The context.
1) Jesus’ disciples had been gathering grain and eating it out of their hands for nourishment.
2) The Pharisees criticized Jesus disciples for “working” on the Sabbath.
3) In Mark 2:27 we read Jesus replied saying, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.”
4) He knew what could and could not be done on the Sabbath because He was Lord of the Sabbath.
2. Because Jesus was the Son of Man He knew that man needed rest.
1) Hebrews 4:9 says, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
2) Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God.
3) He will give us rest once this life is done.
3. Thank God Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
III. Delivered Into the Hands of Men – Luke 9:44 “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.”
1. The context.
1) Jesus had just cast out a particularly troublesome demon.
2) The disciples were amazed at His power to do this.
3) While they were thinking on these things, Jesus told them that He would be delivered into the hands of men.
4) They were not to think that His power would be used for self aggrandizement or for geopolitical purposes.
2. Because Jesus was the Son of Man He knew that man needed an example of true humility.
1) Philippians 2:8 “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
2) Jesus example of humility teaches man how to be humble.
3. Thank God for the humble attitude of Jesus.
IV. Not Come to Destroy Men’s Lives, but to Save Them – Luke 9:56 “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
1. The context.
1) James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the unbelievers.
2) The Bible says that Jesus rebuked them saying, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.”
2. Jesus purpose as the Son of Man was not to bring condemnation, but salvation.
1) The One who commanded 12 Legions of angels could have destroyed the world any time He saw fit (Matthew 26:53).
2) Instead, we have John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
3) The innocent Son of Man forfeited His life to pay the price of death merited by the sins of guilty men.
3. Thank God that the Son of Man didn’t bring destruction, but salvation.
V. Hath Not Where to Lay His Head – Luke 9:58 “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
1. The context.
1) One had come to Jesus saying that he would follow him anywhere.
2) Jesus wanted to be clear as to what was in store for this man.
3) To live the life that Jesus lived was to be a pauper.
2. As the Son of Man, Jesus lived a life of poverty so we could be saved.
1) 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
2) Jesus could have come as a mighty king or warlord.
3) Jesus could have come as a middle class worker.
4) But he came as a peasant.
3. Thank God that Son of Man chose poverty so we could be rich.
VI. Was a Sign to His Generation – Luke 11:30 “For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.”
1. The context.
1) Jesus had condemned the people around Him for seeking a sign instead of God’s word.
2) Nevertheless, He gave them a sign.
3) Matthew 12:40 records Jesus as saying, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale‘s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
2. The sign of the Son of Man to that generation was the resurrection.
1) Jesus would only be in the grave for a limited time.
2) After this, He would come out.
3) Luke 9:22 “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”
4) What a sign!
5) He was the firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).
3. Thank God that the Son of Man was raised from the dead.
VII. Comes At an Unexpected Hour – Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
1. The context.
1) Jesus is teaching the disciples to be expecting His return.
2) The disciple of Jesus must be ready at all times.
2. The Son of Man understands the temporal nature of man.
1) Let us pray the prayer of the Psalmist.
2) Psalm 39:4 “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”
3. Thank God the Son of Man understands our temporal nature.
CONCLUSION:
1. In this lesson we’ve looked at the question, “Who is the Son of Man” according to the gospel of Luke chapters 1-12. We’ve learned that the Son of Man is:
1) The one who has power to forgive sins (Luke 5:24) and forgives!
2) Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5) and has power to give us rest!
3) The one delivered into the hands of men (Luke 9:44) to teach us humility!
4) Not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them (Luke 9:56) so we don’t have to pay!
5) Hath not where to lay his head (Luke 9:58) to give us the true riches!
6) Was a sign to His generation (Luke 11:30) and assurance of our resurrection!
7) Comes at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:40) so that we can be ready at all times!
2. Do you KNOW the Son of Man?
3. Are you ready to meet the Son of Man?
4. Invitation