Elementary Pt. 2: Who We Are Defines What We Do (& Vice Versa)

INTRO

[SLIDE 1] *Invite 3 Volunteers* I need 3 vounteers. What are each of your names? What kind of shoes are you wearing? So what I’m going to ask you to do, is take off your shoes and give one shoe to each other person and try to walk in it. How does it feel?

*After they sit down*

Every shoe has a story. Some shoes here are fresh out of the box, while others have looked like they climbed a mountain, fought a bear, and survived nuclear warfare. But as you can tell, shoes can only function correctly in the right settings. Size, Shape, Material, and Tread. [SLIDE 2] For instance, pretend you’re a pair of fresh Air Jordans. You’re having an identity crisis and say that you were designed for skiing [SLIDE 3]. Anyone would tell you that you’re insane! Your tread is only use for squeaking, cutting, and dunking (or at least looking like you could dunk) on a court!

In the same way, we can say we’re meant for one thing, but be designed for another. If you were to go skiing with a fresh pair of Jordons, [SLIDE 4] or say Lebron James play his next basketball game in a pair of Timberland Boots, you’d think he’s lost his mind or what he’s doing isn’t matching up with what he’s wearing. [SLIDE 5] As Christians, we can say that we follow God, but if we aren’t following God… Are we actually Christians? Our Big Idea today is [SLIDE 6] Who You Are Defines What You Do and What You Do Defines Who You Are. Would how you live your life line up with what you believe? Well let’s look at the life of one of Jesus’ close friends Peter and how his life aligned, and misaligned from God’s plan.

1. Proclaiming the Messiah's Identity

So the story starts with Jesus roaming around and asking His disciples a pop quiz question. No studying, just a quick answer. [SLIDE 7-8]

Matthew 16:13–20 NIV

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

So Peter gets hit with the pop quiz and gets the answer right! But not only that, he gets it more right than anything else he could’ve said! Jesus says “You’re my guy for the Church”… One thing that’s crazy about this is that Peter is in his 20s. He’s not Pastor Darin’s or Pastor Simon’s or Pastor Lewis’ age. In fact, he was the oldest of the disciples in his 20s… John was believed to be 14 to 15… YOUR AGE. Just a side not that you’re not too young to be following Jesus and start doing ministry. This young man Peter received the biggest glaze in the history of glazing. It’s a good day for Peter… Until a couple seconds later. [SLIDE 9]

2. Perspective and Rebuke

Matthew 16:21–23 NIV

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Peter… Peter… You were doing so good! Then he got hit with Jesus Himself calling him Satan… Yikes. Now for context, Satan is the Hebrew word for “Adversary”. He’s not being called the devil, but now an adversary. Peter was like “Jesus, you’re not gonna die, I should know! [SLIDE 10] I’m the Rock!” but then lives in a way to stop Jesus’ biggest mission. What he did defined who he was… An adversary. [SLIDE 11] Things don’t get much better for Peter for a lot of the Story. He cuts off the ear of the High Priest’s Servant at Jesus’ arrest, Denies Jesus 3 times, Abandons Him. How does Peter’s actions reflect His character here? Would you call Him the pillar of the Church? You’d probably call him a nominal (or in-name-only) follower of Jesus. [SLIDE 12] Remember our Big Idea, Who You Are Defines What You Do and What You Do Defines Who You Are. Right now, I want you to think of your life lately. Do you share some similarities with Peter? Would your recent actions this past week make you a nominal Christian? If you identify with Peter right now, there’s some Good news for you!

3. Peter's Redemption

[SLIDE 13] Peter later reconciles with Jesus after His death and resurrection. Jesus reaffirms Peter as the Pillar of His Church. After Jesus ascends, Peter begins to take charge. The Holy Spirit comes and Peter has the chance in the heat of the moment to Preach. After an AMAZING sermon, he finishes with this, check this out: [SLIDES 14-15]

Acts 2:40–47 NIV

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

This is where I want to begin to conclude (invite band). Peter here, throughout the Gospels, was someone who isn’t looked at in a favourable light. He did a LOT of things that were… You mind if I use a theological word here? Stupid. Up until this point, What he did was a reflection of who he was. But that reconciliation with Jesus changed something. Who he was changed what he did. Walking with Jesus transformed him. Peter would go on to lead the early church and the impact he had affects all of us to this day. By the end of Peter’s life, who went from Denying Jesus to getting crucified upside down (because he didn’t feel important enough to die the same way Jesus did). Do you now think that he aligned himself? Who he was defined what he did and what he did defined who he was.

[SLIDE 16] Who You Are Defines What You Do and What You Do Defines Who You Are. You might be thinking of some things in your life right now where you realize that you’re not doing what you should be doing as a Christ follower, but also some of your practices, search history, social media comments may tell a different story about who you are. So while the final song plays, if you’re feeling convicted right now, or like I called something out, take a moment to pray to God, silently name the practices and things in your life that don’t reflect Him. It’s okay, be vulnerable, don’t be perfect. Be yourself, that’s who God wants to hear from and help. You. You can see what God did through Peter because of his confession. Imagine what He can do through you. Let’s pray.

Questions:

What type of shoes are you wearing? Do they have a story?

In the story, Peter correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah ("the Christ, the Son of the living God"), but then moments later, he rebukes Jesus for predicting His own suffering. How does Peter's true self (still self-protective and worldly) show up when his actions try to stop Jesus's plan?

Peter went from denying Jesus three times out of fear to boldly preaching a sermon that converted 3,000 people. What changed in Peter's identity to allow for such a dramatic shift in his actions?

Think about the sermon's core idea: "Who we are defines what we do (& Vice versa)." Which part do you think is more true in your daily life right now: Does your identity (who you believe you are) dictate your actions, or do your actions define your identity? Explain.

The "Vice Versa" Check: Is there an action or habit you currently have (e.g., gossiping, constant complaining, heavy social media use) that is subtly starting to define your identity in a way that is not Christ-like? What is the first step you can take to break that cycle?