Claims

The assertion of rights and recognition due. God as Creator and Redeemer makes claims on his world and on his people. The claims of Jesus Christ about himself as God and Messiah call for a response. In human relationships, too, claims are made by individuals about themselves and, as a result, on others.

The basis for God's claims

God's ownership of the world

Psalm 24:1–2 See also Deuteronomy 10:14; Job 41:11; Psalm 47:9, Psalm 89:11; Ezekiel 18:4

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

God owns his people as Creator

Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 43:6–7, Isaiah 43:15

God owns his people as Redeemer

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 See also Exodus 20:2–3 parallel Deuteronomy 5:6–7; Leviticus 25:55; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 14:8

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

The priority of God's claims

God's claim to first place

Matthew 6:33 parallel Luke 12:31

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

God's claim on the firstborn

God's claim to the firstfruits

Deuteronomy 26:1–2; Nehemiah 10:35; Proverbs 3:9

God's claim to the tithe

Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8–10

Acknowledging God's claims on human life

Wholehearted devotion to God

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 See also Matthew 22:37 parallel Mark 12:30

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Obedience to God's law

Leviticus 18:4–5 See also Leviticus 19:37, Leviticus 22:31; Ezekiel 20:19

You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God. Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.

The call to holiness

Leviticus 11:45 See also Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:15–16

For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

The claims of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ's claim to fulfil the OT

Matthew 5:17 See also Luke 4:17–21, Luke 24:27; John 5:39

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

Jesus' claim to be the Messiah

Luke 23:2 See also Matthew 23:10; Mark 9:41; Luke 22:67; John 4:25–26

And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Jesus Christ's claim to be king of the Jews

Matthew 27:11 parallels Mark 15:2, Luke 23:3; John 19:12, John 19:21

Jesus Christ's claim to divinity

John 10:33, John 19:7 See also Matthew 26:63–64 parallels Mark 14:61–62, Luke 22:70; Matthew 27:43; Mark 2:7 parallel Luke 5:21 Forgiveness of sin was recognised as the prerogative of God alone. Jesus Christ's claim to forgive sin is thus a claim to be God; John 10:30, John 14:9

“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

Jesus Christ's claim to universal lordship

Matthew 28:18 See also Matthew 25:31–32; Luke 22:69; John 17:2

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

The ``I am'' claims of Jesus Christ

John 8:58 See also John 6:35 the bread of life; John 8:12 the light of the world; John 10:7 the gate for the sheep; John 10:11 the good shepherd; John 11:25 the resurrection and the life; John 14:6 the way and the truth and the life; John 15:1 the true vine

“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

The need to acknowledge Jesus Christ's claims

John 8:24–30 See also John 14:11

That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.” They did not understand that He was telling them about the Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him.

Human claims

Those making claims about themselves

Psalm 73:9 the proud boasting of the wicked; Jeremiah 23:34 false prophets claim to speak God's word; Matthew 24:5 parallels Mark 13:6, Luke 21:8 false Christs; Acts 5:36 Theudas; Acts 8:9 Simon the sorcerer claimed to be someone great; Romans 1:22 idolaters claim to be wise; Jude 1:16 false teachers in the church; Revelation 2:2 false apostles

Claims must be verified by actions

James 2:14 See also Proverbs 20:6; Titus 1:16; 1 John 1:6, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 2:9

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Making claims on others

2 Samuel 15:3 grievances brought for judgment; 2 Samuel 19:43 Israel's claim on David as their king; Nehemiah 2:20 Nehemiah's enemies have no claim on Jerusalem.

Claims made about others

Psalm 35:20 false accusations made against the righteous; Matthew 5:11 parallel Luke 6:22 Believers will be slandered by their enemies; Luke 11:18–20 parallel Matthew 12:26–28 The Jews claim that Jesus Christ's powers are demonic; Romans 3:8 slanderous claims made against Paul