Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

We live in a day and time when people are having a great debate and even in some cases an assault on who Jesus is and if Jesus is even relevant today.

Many who classify themselves as “woke” have majored in a You Tube theology and have dismissed Jesus or have relegated him to the status of “The White Man’s Jesus” or someone who was forced on us by slavery.

If the worlds view is not bad enough.

There are some pastor’s and preachers who may not admit it publicly, but believe there is another way to God outside of Jesus and his church.

If there has ever been a time to know what you believe; that time is now.

Having this cultural context in mind, my brother and sisters, this text of scripture is just as important to us today as it was to the disciples at the time of the text.

With everybody walking around trying to tell you why you don’t need the church or why you don’t need Jesus.

If you are not careful, my brothers and sisters and do not have an understanding of the importance of Jesus; you will be led astray.

Jesus was aware of this fact during his ministry on earth and deals with it so we know how to handle it today.

Chapter 16 begins with Jesus being confronted by the Scribes and Pharisees seeking a sign.

In verse 6, Jesus has warned his disciples that you have to be careful of the yeast (leaven) of the Pharisees.

That’s a good word for someone sitting in the church this morning.

Everybody who has a religious title is not someone you should listen to.

All it takes is a little bad yeast to spoil all of you and what you believe!

Now, Jesus and his disciples have made it to Caesarea Philippi.

A place known for pagan religion and even polytheism in some areas.

In this place of people worshipping many God’s and having a disstorted idea of worship; Jesus stops to ask his disciples a few questions.

My brothers and sisters, just like in this text, we live in a society filled with all kinds of beliefs.

This same question arrests our attention today:

Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

What are they saying about Jesus?

Jesus has been ministering on earth for three years.

The time of his death was approaching and before he left He wanted to know if the disciples understood who they had been walking with.

Jesus wanted to make sure the disciples knew him and not someone else’s version of Him.

Many people may not be willing to admit that much of what they know about Jesus is second hand information.

Many have heard somebody say who Jesus is and what He can do and that is who they believe Jesus to be.

Here in our text Jesus had to check the theology of the disciples.

Even though these twelve have been around Jesus for three years.

Still, the thoughts and ideas of the people around them could have formulated and opinion in their mind.

What do you mean Rev.? To the woman at the well he was a prophet; because he told her all about her private life.

To Jarius, the woman with the issue of blood, the man at the pool and to countless others; Jesus was a healer.

To the five thousand on one occasion and the four thousand on another; Jesus was known as a provider.

My brothers and sisters, they were not wrong.

That is what Jesus can do, but that is not who he is!

That outside opinion is what they bring up.

The disciples say, “Some say....” If all of us are honest this morning, we have all heard what others have to say about Jesus.

Hearsay is a dangerous things.

If you listen to the wrong people, you will have an attitude toward a person you don’t even know.

If you hang around the wrong people too long, you will begin to look at people through the eyes of others.

The same thing is true about Jesus.

If you listen to people who don’t read their Bible or barely do anything for the Lord; their laziness and attitudes will rub off on you.

My brothers and sisters, every now and then, you need to have a theological check up!

You need to see if your biblical heart beat and blood pressure are in order.

How do I make sure my theology is right?

I’m glad you asked!

My brothers and sisters, when your theology is right, people who come by knocking on your door on Saturday morning passing out information will walk away from your door, because you know who Jesus is.

When your theology is right, so called “woke” folk start wiping the sleep from their eyes when they are around you.

When your theology is right, you can say with confidence: “My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness....” When your theology is right, you can say like the three Hebrew boys as they face being thrown into a fiery furnace, “I know God can deliver, but even if He doesn’t I know He is still worthy”.

I have to ask you a question:

“Do you know who Jesus is?”

Peter says in verse 16 of our text,

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus already knew what the people around him had to say about him.

By questioning the disciples he made sure they could affirm for themselves that they knew who Jesus was.

Peter says definetly, I have no doubt who you are.

You are the Christ.

The word Christ is the Greek is Messiah.

Messiah literally means:

A future deliverer and savior who would rescue his people and usher in a time of prosperity and blessing.

Depending on the context, this concept could be interpreted eschatologically or spiritually, in addition to real world perceptions.

Not only is Jesus the messiah, but the Son of the Living God.

Those words are in the Appositional clause.

That means this part of the sentence supports and builds on the last.

I know you made it to church this morning, but do you know who Jesus is?

The Bible says: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

It’s good to know him as a healer, it’s good to know him as a way maker and provider, but do you know Jesus the Savior?

He was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Shepherds worshipped at his birth.

Angels rejoiced at his birth.

Wise men brought gifts from the east to worship at his birth.

Do you know Him?

He is Mary’s Son; Joseph’s step son.

At the age of 12 he told his mother and father that he must be about his Father’s Business.

He turned water into wine at a wedding.

He healed the sick and raised the dead.

All of that is good to know.

But I’m glad one Thursday, He allowed Judas to betray him and Peter to deny Him.

One Thursday He let them lead him from judgement hall to judgement hall.

One Friday, they led Him up the Via Del a Rosa all the the way to Calvary.

I can hear my childhood pastor Dr. Solomon Smith, Sr. say, “You don’t mind if I use my sanctified imagination?”

“Jesus said, If you think I’ll fight, put nails in my hands.

If you think I’ll run, put nails in my feet, but whatever you do don’t lift me up.

And I, if I, be lifted up from the Earth, will draw all men unto me.”

He DIED!