Christmas Question: Who Is Jesus to You?

Main Scripture: Matthew 16:15

Theme: Christmas is not just about celebrating Jesus’ birth but deciding who He is to you and living with the purpose He came to give.

Aim: To lead people to personally confess Jesus as Lord, receive Him as God’s greatest gift, and commit to living a life of eternal purpose rather than temporary gain.

Social Media / Livestream Post: Christmas asks more than what you want. It asks who you trust. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” That question still defines our lives today. Join us this Sunday as we discover why Jesus came, what purpose He brings, and how one answer can change everything.

For the joke today I am dusting off an oldie but a goodie. I only tell it once time per year, and this is it!!!

It was bedtime for two boys staying overnight at their grandparents’ house. As they knelt to pray, one of them started praying as loud as he possibly could.

“Dear God, for Christmas I want video games, a dirt bike, and a Nintendo Switch!”

The other boy leaned over and said, “Why are you yelling? God is not deaf.”

He replied, “I know God’s not deaf. But Grandma is.”

Christmas has a way of revealing what we really want. Sometimes we are talking to God. Sometimes we are talking to people. And sometimes we are hoping someone hears us.

But Christmas is not ultimately about what we want. It is about what God has already given.

The Gift That Actually Lasts

We live in a world obsessed with winning. More money. More success. More stuff.

1 Timothy 6:7 CEV

7 We didn’t bring anything into this world, and we won’t take anything with us when we leave.

Christmas reminds us that God gave a gift far greater than anything temporary. God gave us Jesus.

Not a thing. A Savior. Not comfort. Redemption. Not a distraction. Purpose.

The Most Important Question Ever Asked

During His ministry, Jesus asked His disciples a question that still confronts every generation.

Matthew 16:15 CEV

15 Then Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Context matters here. Jesus asked this near Caesarea Philippi, a place filled with pagan temples and false gods. Surrounded by competing voices and beliefs, Jesus brought it home to something deeply personal.

Who do YOU say I am?

Not what culture says. Not what religion says. Not what tradition says.

How you answer that question determines how you live now and where you spend eternity.

What People Say About Jesus

Back then, people had opinions.

Some said Jesus was a prophet like Elijah. Some said He was a teacher. Some said He was dangerous. Some dismissed Him entirely.

Even today, people try to reduce Jesus to something manageable.

A good man. A moral example. A baby in a manger once a year.

But human opinion never reveals divine truth.

Peter knew the truth about who Jesus was and he blurted it out that day when Jesus asked. He said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”

Jesus said to Peter:

Matthew 16:17 CEV

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.

There is something important to see here: Peter didn’t know it in his own intellect. It was revealed to him spiritually.

If you want to know who Jesus really is, humanity is not the best source. They never get it right.

So, how can we know who Jesus is?

What Heaven Says About Jesus

God the Father spoke from heaven and said, “This is my Son.” Angels announced His birth and called Him Savior and Lord. Demons recognized His authority and trembled at His name.

Scripture declares Him:

Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Prince of Peace Lord of all

Jesus Himself said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “I am the light of the world.” “I am the resurrection and the life.” “I and the Father are one.”

Jesus did not claim to be one option among many. He claimed to be the answer.

Changed Lives Tell the Same Story

When people encountered Jesus personally, everything changed.

Simeon held Him and said, “Now I can die in peace.” A broken woman said, “Could this be the Messiah?” A criminal said, “Remember me.” A Roman soldier said, “Surely this was the Son of God.” Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”

No one who encounters God stays neutral. If you you see His will, you want to work to accomplish it because He is worthy.

I just finished a 10 week study on the book of Nehemiah. There’s so much we can learn from him.

Nehemiah and the Purpose of Restoration:

His story is powerful Old Testament picture of something that God wants to do today.

Nehemiah lived during a time when Jerusalem was broken. The walls were torn down. The people were vulnerable. The city that carried God’s name was in disgrace.

Nehemiah was not a priest or a prophet. He was a cupbearer. But God burdened his heart.

Those walls were not just stone. They represented identity, protection, and purpose.

So Nehemiah rebuilt.

Not for applause. Not for comfort. But so God’s people could live as they were meant to live.

He rebuilds broken cities, broken systems, broken worship, and broken people. He raises up leaders, stirs hearts, provides resources, overcomes opposition, restores His Word, calls His people to repentance, and renews joy.

None of this happens because the people are strong or faithful enough on their own. It happens because God is gracious, patient, and faithful to His covenant.

Nehemiah gives us with both encouragement and responsibility. God has been at work. He is still at work. Now we are called to remain prayerful, committed, joyful, and watchful. Not striving to earn God’s favor, but stewarding His grace.

Look, Nehemiah knew God. He saw God’s work needed to be done and he stepped up.

My question today is, do you know Jesus? If you do, you know God. They are one. If you know Jesus, you know that He’s called you to the mission field. You are His ambassador to the world. You are His worker.

This comes with difficulty I know, but just like Nehemiah, your faith will become site. Don’t come down off the wall you’re building for the Lord.

The walls of purity. The walls of faithfulness. The walls of grace toward others. The walls of mercy. The walls of the gospel.

May we be a people who build when God calls us to build, repent when God calls us to repent, praise when God calls us to praise, and remain faithful long after the walls are finished.

And when Nehemiah’s story ends, the final recorded words of his life are striking.

Nehemiah 13:31 LSB

31 … Remember me, O my God, for good.

That was not pride. That was purpose.

Nehemiah was saying, “God, I lived my life for what mattered.”

If you know Jesus. That’s the goal. Live your life for Him.

So, that leads us here to Christmas.

Christmas Is About Purpose, Not Just a Moment

Christmas is not just about remembering that Jesus was born.

It is about understanding why He came.

Jesus did not come to decorate our lives. He came to restore what sin destroyed. He came to rebuild hearts. He came to give us a new purpose.

The same God who called Nehemiah to rebuild walls calls us to build lives that honor Him.

And one day, every one of us will stand before God.

The question will not be how much we accumulated. The question will be who we trusted and how we lived.

Can we say what Nehemiah said?

“Lord, remember me for good.”

Not because we were perfect. But because we trusted Jesus. Because we surrendered to Him. Because He was our final answer.

Closing:

On Thursday surely we will open a present or two. Or at least we will give one to someone. We will look at a Christmas tree. In my family, we will gather around a table and eat tacos.

But that’s not what I want Christmas to be about. It’s not just about the lights and songs, but a decision.

Is Jesus just a baby at Christmas and a figure on a cross at Easter? Or is He the risen Lord of your life?

Is He one way among many? Or the way, the truth, and the life?

Scripture is clear.

John 3:16 “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son.”

Acts 4:12 “Only Jesus has the power to save.”

Romans 10:9 “If you say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart, you will be saved.”

Acts 2:38 NLT

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas is God’s invitation to humanity.

Who do you say Jesus is?

And more importantly, are you living with Him? Walking daily with His purpose in your heart? Have you turned from the world?

Not someday. Not when life slows down. Not when everything makes sense.

Today.

Because this gift must be received. It is a gift. It’s free.

If you are ready to trust Jesus. If you are ready to surrender your life. If you are ready to live with eternal purpose.

You can answer today.

Jesus is Lord.