Who Do You Say That I AM
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Sermon Series: Who Do You Say That I Am
Message: Who Do You Say That I Am
Focus Passage: Matthew 16:13-17
Introduction:
One of the greatest questions that each of us must ask ourselves is, “Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus to us?” We see from societies view that Jesus is a 70s hippy. He’s an action hero. He’s folklore. He’s a good story to bring in the “Christian Folk”. But is Jesus to you? When you here the name Jesus, what is the first word that comes to your mind? Savior? Lord? Friend? Fairy Tale? I ask this question and feel that it is of utmost importance because our view of who Jesus is will influence our life, our theology, or doctrine.
It has come to me as a conviction over the last several years that many in the church do not know who Jesus is? They have ideas but have never truly studied the Doctrine of Jesus out. They know what they have heard from Sunday, if they attend Sunday School. They know what they have heard from the preacher, if they have attended church. They know what Hollywood has portrayed Jesus, but do they know who Jesus is according to the Scripture?
Outline:
A secular worldview of Christ (vv.13-14)
13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.”
Background of Text - ‘…Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi...’
Jesus had fed the 5000 and fed the 4000 and had cross the Sea of Galilee into Caesarea Philippi. He and His disciples had went from a coast of predominately Jewish people to a coast of predominately Gentile people. Why this was, is not certain and neither does Matthew focus on this point. It was maybe a foreshadowing of the Gospel being sent to the ends of the earth not just Jewish people, but to the Gentiles too.
What Matthew does focus on is the testimony of who Jesus is. He focuses on this view from two perspectives, the selfsame perspectives that we will discuss today. Those perspectives are an earthly view of Jesus and a heavenly view or Biblical World of who Jesus is.
The world has its view of Jesus – ‘...Who do the people say that the Son of Man is...’ (the KJV states, I, the Son of Man)
The world’s view is based on opinion – ‘...Some say…and still others…’
The world’s view is varied upon tradition and teaching
During the time of Jesus many looked at Jesus as…
A charismatic spokesman for God
The reincarnate spirit of Elijah
Others looked at Jesus as one of the prophets of old such as Jeremiah
Today, we find other varying religious view of Jesus is…
The Jews look at Jesus as…
Morally good
A spiritual leader
A prophet
Not the Messiah, the Christ
The Muslims look at Jesus as…
Morally good
A spiritual leader
Perfect and sinless
Less of a prophet than Muhammed
Not the Son of God as man has tried to make him out to be for God cannot have children
Others see Jesus as…
A myth or fairytale, a comic book hero, a good idea without proof, etc., etc.
While some of these thoughts or beliefs about Jesus are accurate and while others are completely farce, all of them stop short of speak on the complete truth of Jesus was, is, and will always be. Christ is a prophet, a priest, a king, but He is far more than that.
Your view of Christ should not be based on postmodern theology (truth is what you make it)
A Biblical worldview of Christ (vv.15-17)
15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
What is your answer – “He said to them, But who do you yourselves say that I am”
Do not let others answer for you – “Simon Peter answered”
Acknowledge who Christ is – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”
Jesus responded with, blessed are you.
“Blessed” within in this text brings the idea of “supremely blessed,” “fortunate,” “well off”
May we understand that who receive Christ are blessed with the privilege of being children of God
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,
One comes to the knowledge of Christ through the drawing of the Spirit – “flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven”
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
Conclusion:
One of the greatest questions that each of us must ask ourselves is, “Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus to us?”
We see from societies view that Jesus is a 70s hippy. He’s an action hero. He’s folklore. He’s a good story to bring in the “Christian Folk”.
But who is Jesus to you? When you here the name Jesus, what is the first word that comes to your mind? Savior? Lord? Friend? Fairy Tale?
I ask this question and feel that it is of utmost importance because our view of who Jesus is will influence our life, our theology, our doctrine, our eternity. “Who is Jesus to you?” “Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior?”