Revelation of Jesus (Luke 9:18-27)

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:18-27

Introduction

Dealing with the most important issue in human history - who Jesus is

Most Americans claim to believe in God, but differ on who Jesus is

I work in a prison, which kind of microcosm of the pluralistic society that we live in

The world has many opinions about Jesus

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Jesus of world religions & pop culture

Jesus can not be ignored. The most influential person on history

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You have to come to a place in your life where you really give this man Jesus your full attention and consideration. That’s what Jesus is doing here with his disciples.

We have a decision to make about Jesus

Most important question we will ever wrestle with

Can’t stay on the fence

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Liar, lunatic, or Lord

But how do we know for sure? Because...

What do you say about Jesus?

God gives revelation about Jesus

True faith in Christ is a work of the Spirit (See Matt 16:16-17)

The nature of the new birth. Spirit testifies to who Jesus is

The Specifics of the revelation. Son of God, Son of Man, suffering, dying, rising

Revelation of Jesus produces self-denying love that forsakes the world

Disciples misunderstood the Messiah and the need to suffer

We often misunderstand what it means to be Christian

The way of the Christian is the way of the cross. We must dethrone self

This shouldn’t be viewed as a legalistic asceticism (analogy of marriage)

Revelation of Jesus brings the Kingdom of God into our lives (27; )

The kingdom of God was inaugurated with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection

His final appearance will bring about the restoration of all creation

But his kingdom comes to those who believe now, in part, through the Spirit. His kingdom is righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit

Closing

Who do you say that Jesus is?

If he is Lord, God, and King then we must give him our hearts, our allegiance, our loyalty

He will empower us with his Spirit. He will help us stand strong. He will build his church on the revelation of who he is. And as we persevere through the way of the cross we will be able to stand before him unashamed.

Hebrews 2:10–11 ESV

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

Hebrews

Daniel 7:13–14 ESV

13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Matthew 16:16–19 ESV

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”