Who Do you Say that I Am?
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It was bedtime for Timmy and Jimmy who were staying overnight with their grandparents. While kneeling to say his prayers, Timmy began praying at the top of his lungs, “Dear God, for Christmas I want some video games, a motor bike, a nintendo switch…”
“Whoa,” Jimmy hollered, “Why are you yelling? God ain’t deaf.”
“I know God’s not deaf,” replied Timmy. “But Grandma is!”
Last week I was scrolling through social media and I caught a video clip from the game show, “Who wants to be a millionaire?”. Remember that show when Regis was the host? I can remember that everyone wanted to have a neck tie just like Regis. The show was a big hit.
Regis would ask a question, then the contestant would have to pick from a list of multiple choice answers. Once they picked, Regis would ask them a question:
“Is that your final answer?”
Once that answer is given, the fate of the contestant is sealed. I think everyone like that show because the contestants were just common people and it seemed like anyone could have had a shot at a million dollars.
A million dollars is a lot of money just for answering some trivia questions. How exciting to think about winning a million dollars! But, in light of eternity, a million bucks means absolutely nothing.
People work all their lives to earn money and possessions only to find out that at the end of the day they really aren’t worth anything! Why? Because when your time on earth is over, you won’t take a single penny with you to eternity.
7 We didn’t bring anything into this world, and we won’t take anything with us when we leave.
This Christmas, we need to remember that we have been given a gift worth more than all the money in the world. Jesus was given to the world to redeem humanity from the curse of sin and death.
That we can now live life in abundance, peace, hope, and expectancy. We can also rest assured that we have a life of blessing waiting when we pass from this world to the next.
I was talking with a friend this week about the difference the Lord has made in his life. Before he surrendered his life to Jesus he was looking for purpose, but it was pretty hard to find the meaning of life. So, he turned to drugs as a way to escape the feelings of hopelessness. But, that didn’t help anything, it just made him want more drugs.
Thankfully, God reached him, and he gave his life to the Lord. Turned away from drugs and is finding purpose in serving Jesus. He has hope. He has peace. Things aren’t perfect, but knowing that Jesus has set him free is a great blessing.
Jesus is a gift. He gives our lives meaning and purpose. We have a new way of living through Him. But here’s the question, do we KNOW Him.
You see, knowing who Jesus is, is more important than any other knowledge in the world. Jesus asked His closest followers a question. And I want to ask you the same question today. Because it will determine how you live your life now and for eternity.
Today we are going to look at who Jesus is as a group, but individually I want you to look at your own heart. See who you think He is, then ask yourself the question, “Is Jesus my final answer? Am I willing to bank all eternity on Who I think Jesus is?”
Let’s read Matthew 16 together.
13 When Jesus and his disciples were near the town of Caesarea Philippi, he asked them, “What do people say about the Son of Man?”
14 The disciples answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptist or maybe Elijah or Jeremiah or some other prophet.”
15 Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter spoke up, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus told him: Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! You didn’t discover this on your own. It was shown to you by my Father in heaven.
On the gameshow “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” they have an option to phone a friend. I want to phone some friends today about Who they think Jesus is.
Phone a Friend: All of Humanity
Phone a Friend: All of Humanity
When Jesus was here on earth, people had opinions. They had a lot to say about Him and who they thought he was. Some thought:
1. John The Baptist—A holy man willing to die for his faith. Even King Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead, Matt. 14:1–2.
2. Elijah—The greatest of all the OT prophets. The Jews were expecting Elijah to return just before Messiah came, Mal. 4:5. Some believed that Jesus was the forerunner, but not the messiah.
3. Jeremiah—A holy prophet who was expected to return to earth just before Messiah came. He was supposed to bring with him the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the Altar of Incense which he had hidden before he died.
4. One of the Prophets—A man of God sent with a message for their time, or a man in whom dwelt the spirit of one of the great prophets.
(All of these views elevated Jesus above the status of an ordinary man. They show that the Jews at least believed Him to be a great man, even a holy man, but their views of Him fall far short of what is required for salvation.)
5. Not everyone on Jesus’ day thought He was a great man. Some thought He was nothing more than a nobody. Some even thought He was an evil man.
• A lowly carpenter—Mark 6:3
• The son of Joseph—John 6:42
• A sinner—John 9:24
• An illegitimate child—John 8:41
• A devil—Matt. 12:24
• A mad man—John 10:20
• A fool—Matt. 27:38–43
6. Even His half-brothers had harsh things to say about Jesus—John 7:3–5.
People back then didn’t know who Jesus was and He was on earth working incredible miracles, and demonstrating the power of God.
So, now that Jesus is no longer physically present on earth, what are modern day people saying about Him?
I was at the Eudora High School Christmas concert last week. They sang a couple songs about Jesus. I found it really interesting that even in secular culture, Christmas tradition will still allow for some talk about Jesus.
Most everyone on earth has heard about Jesus. Who do they think He is?
1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses—“Michael the Archangel is no other than the only begotten Son of God, now Jesus Christ.”
2. The Mormons—“… Jesus, our elder brother was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden, and who is our father in Heaven.”
3. Islam—“Jesus was no more than a mortal whom Allah favored and made and example to the Israelites. They are unbelievers who say God is Messiah, Mary’s son.”
4. The Jewish Talmud—Jewish writings that detail how Jews are to live their lives, has the following things to say about Jesus. “Jesus was executed because He practiced Sorcery” they also say “Jesus is in Hell being boiled in hot excrement.”
There are so many human opinions concerning Jesus Christ. Some think He was a good man. Others think He was a great teacher. People hold all types of ideas concerning who Jesus Christ is.
All of these people and groups have ideas about Jesus, but none of them are biblical ideas.
Humanity, it’s own wisdom has no idea who Jesus is! Look at our main scripture again:
17 Jesus told him: Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! You didn’t discover this on your own. It was shown to you by my Father in heaven.
Peter didn’t figure out who Jesus is on his own. He was shown by God the Father.
So, if you want to know who Jesus really is, don’t use your phone a friend on humanity. They will help you lose the game!
How else can we find the truth?
Phone a Friend: Spiritual Realm
Phone a Friend: Spiritual Realm
If humanity doesn’t know, let’s look to the spiritual side of things. Who is Jesus?
God the Father. What does he say about Jesus?
17 Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.”
or
5 While Peter was still speaking, the shadow of a bright cloud passed over them. From the cloud a voice said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!”
God calls Jesus His Son!
2. What do angels say?
18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David’s family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God’s Holy Spirit.
and
8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep.
9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened.
10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy.
11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.
Angels say Jesus was God’s son and the Savior of the world!
3. What do demons say?
29 Suddenly they shouted, “Jesus, Son of God, what do you want with us? Have you come to punish us before our time?”
and
41 Demons went out of many people and shouted, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus ordered the demons not to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.
Demons call Jesus the Son of God and they shake with fear at the mention of His name!
4. What do scriptures say?
6 A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.
1 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God.
36 Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross.
36 This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.
The names given to Jesus in the Bible speak of His position: He is called Lord, this implies that He is in control; that He is deity. He is called Jesus, this name means “Jehovah is salvation.” This is His earthly name. It reminds us that He is human. He is called Christ, the name means “anointed”, it refers to Jesus as the One chosen by God to be the Messiah. The Bible is crystal clear on Who Jesus Christ is. He is the Son of God, Prince of Peaces, The Word, Christ, and Lord of All.
5. What about the Earlier followers of Jesus, Who do they say He is?
We hear the testimony of many people who gave their life because they knew who Jesus was, but today I am only going to mention two others besides Peter.
John the Baptist:
34 I saw this happen, and I tell you that he is the Son of God.
and Paul, the great persecutor of the early church:
20 Soon he went to the Jewish meeting places and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God.
These people had a personal encounter with Jesus and it changed them. They gave their lives to prove He was the Son of God.
6. Who did Jesus say he was? Let’s just take a few:
30 and I am one with the Father.
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you for certain that even before Abraham was, I was, and I am.”
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.
9 I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.
12 Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.”
25 Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die.
36 So why do you accuse me of a terrible sin for saying that I am the Son of God? After all, it is the Father who prepared me for this work. He is also the one who sent me into the world.
Jesus told us who He was.
I like what C.S. Lewis said:
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg—or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice.
Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”
There is no middle ground with Jesus. He was either the Son of God or the greatest deceiver of all time.
We’ve phoned two friends so far, Humanity and the Spiritual Realm. Has it helped you decide your final answer?
Let’s make one more call today:
Phone a Friend: The Heart
Phone a Friend: The Heart
In the pages of the Bible, several people had a personal encounter with Jesus that forever changed their lives. I want to share a few of their statements about Jesus with you today.
These people had a personal encounter with Jesus and they knew in their heart who He was.
Simeon Luke 2:28-32
28 Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God,
29 “Lord, I am your servant, and now I can die in peace, because you have kept your promise to me.
30 With my own eyes I have seen what you have done to save your people,
31 and foreign nations will also see this.
32 Your mighty power is a light for all nations, and it will bring honor to your people Israel.”
2. Nathaniel John 1:49
49 Nathanael said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God and the King of Israel!”
3. The Woman at the well - John 4:29
29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! Could he be the Messiah?”
4. Martha - John 11:27
27 “Yes, Lord!” she replied. “I believe that you are Christ, the Son of God. You are the one we hoped would come into the world.”
5. The Dying Thief Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”
40 But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man?
41 We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.”
42 Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!”
43 Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”
6. The Roman Centurion Mark 15:39
39 A Roman army officer was standing in front of Jesus. When the officer saw how Jesus died, he said, “This man really was the Son of God!”
7. Thomas John 20:24-28
24 Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them.
25 So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas said, “First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!”
26 A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples
27 and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!”
28 Thomas replied, “You are my Lord and my God!”
There are so many people touched by Jesus in the pages of scripture. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Once someone had an encounter with the Lord, their hearts cried out that He was the messiah, the Son of God.
We have seen that, among the human race, there are those who deny that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way of salvation. We have other testimony from lives that have been changed by Him. These indicate that He is Who He claims to be. We have heard what God Almighty has said about Him. We have listened as the angels gave voice to what they know to be the truth. We have even heard the grudging witness of the demonic spirits. We have heard enough to be convinced today that Jesus Christ is Someone about Whom we must make a decision. With that in mind, what does your heart say about Him today?
1. Is He just a baby at Christmas and a guy on a cross at Easter? Or is He the crucified and risen Lord of your life?
2. Is He a way to God, just one among many? Or. Is He the way, the truth and the life?
3. Is He a good man, A great teacher and a prophet? Or is He the Son of God and your only hope for salvation?
4. Is He a liar? Is He a lunatic? Or, is He your Lord?
5. What is the testimony of your heart today? Are you trusting Jesus and Him alone for the salvation of your soul? Have you faced a time when you saw yourself as a sinner and Jesus Christ as your only hope? Are you trusting Jesus and Jesus alone for your soul’s salvation today?
6. Let’s hear from the Bible one more time today:
16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.
31 They replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.”
12 Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone.
13 All who call out to the Lord will be saved.
9 So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death.
What is your final answer to day? Is your answer one that will guarantee you a home in heaven when you leave this world? Is your answer the kind that pleases the flesh, the world and the devil, or is it the kind that pleases the Lord? Are you saved? Is that your final answer? Do you want to be saved? Is that your final answer? Will you some to Jesus right now? Is that your final answer? The question is vital.