... And for Me!

Introduction (5m)

Is The Salvation Army still The Salvation Army?

O is it a nice, comfortable social club? A place where you can escape the world, meet like-minded people, enjoy fellowship, and do the things you like to do? Or is it still a life-saving station? A place where Jesus is still proclaimed as Lord and Christ? A place where to the end of our days we gladly promote his praise?

WB knew the answer to that question

To the very fibre of his being, he made the proclamation of Christ and the salvation of souls the supreme purpose of his life:

And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise

Explanation (5m)

Peter's Confession

In our second Bible passage this morning, Peter also praised Jesus Christ. He decided who Christ was and proclaimed him as such. It has much to say to us about The Salvation Army’s mission and ministry. There were three remarkable aspects to Peter’s proclamation:

Location

First - where it happened. Caesarea Phillippi = 25m NE of Sea of Galilee. Ruled by Herod Philip. Named town in honour of Emperor - it always helps to name things after your boss! Town housed a grotto under its mountain, thought to be birthplace of god Pan, the god of nature and fertility. Town and surrounds housed a number of temples of the classical pagan religion. Towering above them was the new temple dedicated to the emperor. So even more amazing given this backdrop that Peter should exclaim: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ (Matthew 16:16b).

Son of Man

The second aspect of Peter’s confession is what Jesus was called. Jesus called himself Son of Man. This form of Aramaic speech can be a round about way of simply saying “I”, e.g., ‘Who do people say that I am”? But can equally refer to the Son of Man to whom are given God’s Kingdom, the power and the glory. Jesus is being deliberately ambiguous. Am I nothing or everything?

Messiah

In reply, Peter emphatically calls him Messiah. ‘Anointed one’, the one who would come and fulfil the hopes of the nation of Israel. The Messiah would put people in touch with God. The Messiah would show people what God was like. The Messiah would rule over God’s people whilst also being the Servant of the Lord. What a remarkable proclamation!

Recognition

Most remarkable aspect of Peter’s proclamation is the astounding insight Peter has. Coolly and thoughtfully, Peter distinguishes Jesus from others held in high esteem by the Jews - Jeremiah, Elijah and John the Baptist - and proclaims Jesus as his Lord and Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus in no doubt where this insight has come from. Only God can reveal God. It was God that revealed who Jesus really was to Peter.

Application (5m)

A Firm Foundation

Do you know who Jesus is? Have you coolly and thoughtfully decided if Jesus is a nobody, or if he is everything to you. Can you say with Peter: You’re my Lord and Christ? This is important for your salvation. It’s important for your ministry and mission too. Both must be firmly founded on a deep knowledge of Jesus and who he is and what it means to be in relationship with him. Ministry and mission begins with personal conviction.

S’s on lapels. Meaning? William Booth meant them to mean Saved to Save. Our Lord and Christ came to chiefly to save not to serve. Being Saved to Save aligns us with Jesus’ own mission. It’s important as The Salvation Army and as Christians to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. Our family, friends, neighbours, co-workers, community desperately need to see Jesus through us. It’s important that we serve others and make a difference in our community.

But it’s just as important to spend time with Jesus so that Jesus can be seen in you. Your calling is to carry the presence of Jesus with you. Everywhere you go this week can be holy ground, if through his Spirit, you are a bearer of God’s presence.

When I first became SL at Coventry City in 1994, two songs by Yvonne Field doing the rounds at that time. Both became very special. One was ‘My Lord and Christ’, based on our Bible passage. It enabled us to proclaim Jesus’ lordship over our lives:

You’re my Lord and Christ! To you my life is sacrificed. You’re my focus and direction, The meaning of my life, My Lord and Christ!

Even more special to me, even now, after 21 years is her setting of Colin Fairclough’s words, Christ in Me:

Christ of Glory, Prince of Peace, Let thy life in mine increase; Though I live may it be shown 'Tis thy life and not my own. Dwell within, that men may see Christ, the living Christ, in me.

Let that be your prayer today. People will see Christ, the Living Christ, in you this week.