Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus' Fundamental Questions.

Let me state this, Jesus puts only one of His thoughts in the form of a question.

The other two are statements, which may be readily put in the form of questions; which I shall do.

 

1.

The first question is-What do you think of Jesus?

 

1.

This does not mean this-Is your attitude favorable, or unfavorable; friendly, or antagonistic?

But this-What are your ideas, your faith, concerning the person and work of Jesus?

 

2.

If you have any ideas about Jesus, any faith in Him, how did you come by these ideas?

this faith?

a.)

From public opinion?

That was the case with many in Israel.

V. 7-9.

b)  Herod thought that Jesus was John the Baptist, Mark 6, 14.

Some others thought the same, Luke 9, 7.

c) Others believed Jesus was Elijah reincarnated.

A misunderstanding of Malachi 4, 3; fulfilled in John the Baptist, Matthew 11, 14.

d) There are millions today who have not a very much better understanding of Jesus, and His mission.

e) What do you believe?

This is a matter of vital importance.

Jesus is concerned about it.

We ought to be

 

3.

Are we able to answer Jesus briefly, confidently -Thou art the Christ of God.

a.) Jesus would like to have every one truly to know this, to believe it.

But for His disciples it is vital.

So His question: "But who say that I am?" is always foremost.

b.) Can you answer in the words of the Second Article, and its explanation?

c.) Do you accept Christ, follow Him, just on general principles; or can you say -"I know whom I believe in?"

Peter's answer to Jesus' question was his own personal conviction, gained by study and observation.

4.

It is true, after Peter had answered Jesus' question, He said to them, V. 21, 22.

The reason for this Jesus tells them -His work was not yet completed.

His Passion was yet in the future.

Without this, the Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost, even the Apostles were not ready for Matthew 26, 16 ff.

5.

Brethren, there are today, there always have been, there always will be, many fake religions in the world.

And many people seem much more willing to believe any kind of humbug than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Be careful, if you value your souls, be careful.

The only way to salvation is through Christ Jesus; the Son of God, the Son of man, the Redeemer, the Savior, of the world.

a.)

This is the foundation, the irreducible minimum, of saving truth.

b.) Jesus' question- Who am I? is still a hotly debated one.

Many, professedly in the Church are not only debating it, but denying all the fundamentals Jesus, and His Apostles, taught.

Brethren, as you value your souls, be on your guard.

John 14. 6.

 

6.

Who say ye that I am? Thou art the Christ of God, the only Savior of the world.

That is the teaching of God's word, the confession of our Church, our confession.

II.

De we believe this fully enough so that we are willing to Deny ourselves for His sake?

 

1.

Jesus says, V. 23.

It is all-important that we have the right confession.

But we are expected to prove our faith by our works.

a.)

What did denying themselves, and following Jesus, mean to Peter, and the other Apostles?

It meant giving up everything; to most of them it meant prison, shame, death.

And it meant the same to ten thousand times ten thousand others.

2.

What have we denied ourselves for Jesus' sake?

 

a.)

There is one primary, fundamental thing of this nature all must make as the first step in Christianity.

We have to surrender our lives, our wills, our pride of self, our everything, to Christ Jesus.

b.)

But in practical life what has it cost us to be followers of Christ?

We have never been ostracized, or dispossessed, or persecuted.

c.) Still, there is room for self-denial for Jesus' sake.

How about our appetites?

They are God-given; wisely, temperately, satisfied they minister to human good ; do we control them for Jesus' sake ?

How about duty, the things Christ requires of us?

Do we regard them as drudgery?

Are we inclined to shirk?

Or do we face resolutely to the front, and do all we can for Jesus' sake?

How about our burdens, our crosses?

Do we forever complain?

Or do we bear them bravely, with a smile, for Jesus sake?

Fifth Sunday Alter Trinity      195

 

3.

Think of how Jesus denied Himself for us.

Should we not be willing to deny ourselves for His sake?

And our own?

 

4.

"Who say ye that I am?" May be, in our hearts, we answer "The Christ of God." Yet it may be that, before some of the world-

 

III.

We are Ashamed of Jesus.

 

1.

The Apostles, St. Paul more than any other, were placed in a trying Situation.

Jews themselves, they were placed in the trying situation of proclaiming to a world that hated the Jews, a Jewish Savior, a Savior who had been rejected, and   crucified, by his own people.

If ever there was a situation were people would have been tempted to hedge, and gloss over, these men might have been so tempted.

But Jesus said, V. 26.

 

2.

"Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words."

a.)

There are people, not a few, today.

who want to be Christians; but who are, often, half way ashamed of it, under certain circumstances.

Science, falsely so-called, in the hands of unbelievers, has been presented in such a way as to create the impression that it is antagonistic to, and subversive of, the old doctrines of the Bible, God, the Christ, and the old plan of salvation.

And many of our highschool boys and girls, and college young men and women, have become ashamed of the old Book, the old Christ of the Gospels.

Are you one of these?

b.)

Many a young man and woman, and many an older man and woman, has found himself, or herself, in company of those who derided the old Bible principles, and lauded the new liberty, the unconventional way of life.

And possibly we have been afraid to stand up for the old principles.

Has this never been true of you?

If so, does it not deserve this condemnation of Jesus -"Ashamed of Me?"

c.) Ashamed of Jesus!

The most colossal, the most gracious, the most inviting, the only real hope-giving, life-giving, figure in all history.

It is a terrifying thought,                                    "Ashamed of Jesus! that dear friend

            On whom my hopes of Heaven depend!

No, when I blush, be this my shame,

            That I no more revere His name."

 

3.

I am going to ask a fourth question, we should carefully consider-