SERMON OUTLINE
SECTION 1 — The One God: The Father
Scripture begins with the affirmation that God is one:
“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deut 6:4)
Paul reinforces this:
“We know that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one.” (1 Cor 8:4)
And Jesus identifies the Father as that One:
“This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
Thus, the Father is the One God—the source and ground of all.
Paul says it succinctly:
“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist.” (1 Cor 8:6)
Slide Outline: Section 1 — The One God
Title: The Father as the One God
Bullet Points:
- “The Lord is one” — Deut 6:4
- “No God but one” — 1 Cor 8:4
- “You, the only true God” — John 17:3
- One God, the Father — 1 Cor 8:6
SECTION 2 — The Secondary Category of “Gods”
Scripture also uses “gods” in another sense—a term for those who hold authority, whether human or heavenly. Jesus invokes this category when referencing Psalm 82:
“Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?” (John 10:34; cf. Ps 82:6)
Here Jesus includes himself within this broad category—those addressed as “gods” due to their roles or positions. Yet he immediately distinguishes himself from all others in it:
“If he called them gods to whom the word of God came… do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” (John 10:35–36)
Jesus stands within this category but is uniquely set apart:
- He alone is sanctified by the Father.
- He alone is sent into the world.
- He alone is the Christ—the appointed ruler and judge.
Slide Outline: Section 2 — The Secondary “Gods”
Title: The Psalm 82 “Gods”
Bullet Points:
- “I said, you are gods” — Psalm 82; John 10:34
- A functional/positional category
- Jesus acknowledges inclusion
- Jesus is distinct: sanctified, sent, Son of God — John 10:35–36
SECTION 3 — Jesus: Within the Category, Above All Others
Jesus occupies the space of the many “gods”, but he is also between these and the One God, because he is exalted by the Father far above every other authority.
He states:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18)
Paul explains the unfolding of this authority:
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” (1 Cor 15:25)
This fulfills the cry of Psalm 82:
“Arise, O God, judge the earth, for you shall inherit all nations!” (Ps 82:8)
And in the New Testament, this judging role is given specifically to the one the Father appointed:
“…he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.” (John 5:27)
Slide Outline: Section 3 — Jesus Exalted Above All
Title: Jesus’ Unique Authority
Bullet Points:
- “All authority… given to me” — Matt 28:18
- Reigning until all enemies beneath his feet — 1 Cor 15:25
- Judge of all nations — Ps 82:8
- Authority to judge given to him — John 5:27
SECTION 4 — The Order Maintained: The Son and the Father
Though Jesus receives all authority, the New Testament maintains the relational order clearly:
“The head of Christ is God.” (1 Cor 11:3)
And Paul describes the final act of the Son’s reign:
“Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father… When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Cor 15:24–28)
Jesus is exalted beyond all powers:
“He is King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Rev 19:16)
Yet the Father remains ultimate:
“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city.” (Rev 22:3)
Slide Outline: Section 4 — The Final Order
Title: The Father’s Final Supremacy
Bullet Points:
- “The head of Christ is God” — 1 Cor 11:3
- The kingdom handed to the Father — 1 Cor 15:24–28
- Son exalted: King of kings — Rev 19:16
- Father and Lamb share the throne — Rev 22:3
SECTION 5 — Summary of the Scriptural Picture
- The Father is the One God—the source of all things.
- Jesus stands within the Psalm 82 “gods,” yet is wholly distinct—sanctified, sent, the Christ, the Judge, and exalted above all authorities.
- All the many “gods,” whether human or heavenly in role, will ultimately be placed beneath his feet until the end.
- And finally, the Son hands the kingdom to the Father, that God may be all in all.
Slide Outline: Section 5 — Summary
Title: The Full Scriptural Framework
Bullet Points:
- The Father: the One God
- Jesus: within the “gods,” yet uniquely set apart
- Exalted above all authorities
- All things beneath his feet
- Final submission to the Father — God all in all
