Growing Faith in Jesus
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13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Scene 1: “Who do you say that I am?”
Everyone seems to have an opinion about who Jesus is.
But how YOU answer the question is what matters.
Other people CANNOT answer this for you.
Today we are following some various moments where we see Peter interacting with Jesus or about Jesus
Hoping to reflect on our own relationship with Christ.
Peter has good days and bad (just like us)
But one thing is true … he knows who Jesus is.
And that was key to who he was as an Apostle.
The identity of Jesus is FOUNDATIONAL to the Christian faith.
In our culture, MANY will claim to be a Christian.
There are some things we can disagree on (mode of baptism, predestination, end-time prophesy …)
But not the identity of Jesus. THAT IS FOUNDATIONAL
“You are the Christ...”
Christ - (Messiah, Anointed One)
The King of Kings … eternal ruler
The only one who can take away sin
“I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, no one comes to the Father except through me.”
“...the Son of the living God.”
As Christian we are “ADOPTED” children
But Jesus was the ONE AND ONLY SON of GOD. (John 3:16)
Wasn’t created (John 1:1, 7 I AM statements)
Did not have a human father
Otherwise HE would have inherited sin.
This made it possible for Jesus to be the ONLY one who was able to pay for our sin.
High Priest (day of atonement)
Atoned for His own sin before he could atone for everyone else’
Who do I say Jesus is?
Who do I say Jesus is?
Scene 2: I will follow you to death!
33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Jesus gives the Olivet Discourse (chapter 25)
Tells all about the end time, tribulation ect.
Then He tells them, “After two days the Passover is coming and the son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (Matt 26:2)
Jesus takes them to Mount of Olives and tells them, “You all will betray me tonight.”
Peter’s response: “Though they all fall away … I will never fall away.”
They might be weak but I’m not.
This is some astounding confidence.
Jesus warns you that your faith will be test.
You say, “You’re wrong Jesus, I’m good!”
“Even if I have to die with you, I will not deny you!”
(We have hind sight....so let’s not be indignant.)
Peter is Ignoring the warning of coming failure.
Jesus verbally warned Peter.
We have the Holy Spirit (if we listen)
When have you ignored warning signs of coming failure in your own life.
When it come to my faith, do I know my weak spots?
When it come to my faith, do I know my weak spots?
Scene 3: “Peter, drop your sword!”
51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
So it would seem that Peter was making good on his proclamation. (I will die before I abandon you)
But (read on) … Jesus stops him.
What are we to make of this?
(old idiom) If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.”
What goes arounds comes around.
If you try to gain something by the use of force or deception, you can expect the same to be done to you.
We ARE called to influence the world, but not by force.
Peter was faced with a different aspect of faith.
Seeing an injustice being done to you or others
Knowing that you are wise enough in the world to stop it (even though your means will not honor God)
But having enough faith to let God handle it.
If you are a Christian long enough, you will see a time that it will look like you lost, but you’ll know in your heart that God will ultimately prevail...
That’s going to have to be enough.
There is a Psalm that I’m reminded of ...
5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
The image of the “noonday sun” is about God vindicating you for EVERYONE to see.
This happens in God’s time
Our role … “COMMIT EVERYTHING YOU DO TO THE LORD”
Do I have faith even when it’s hard.
Do I have faith even when it’s hard.
Scene 4: “I don’t know Him.”
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”
70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.”
74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.
He was warned, how did he still fail?
Why is this such an important question?
Because we all struggle and sometimes fail to proclaim Jesus.
We are strong in our faith until we are not!
So its important to look at Peter’s denial and hopeful see some our own weakness and struggles.
I don’t think we have enough information to know what Peter was thinking or feeling...
instead...
here are some humble observations (we can relate to)
Overestimate our own (untested) ability.
Peter emphatically proclaimed he would NOT betray Jesus (and even took in temple solders to prove it)
Are you honest with you estimation of our own strength and weaknesses.
Underestimate the enemy (the Devil)
We have a common enemy. (the Devil)
Some (even in the church) have made him out to be made up. But he is quite real.
Underestimate our dependency on God’s strength over our own.
This one might be the most common.
We need God to be strong.
That goes against the RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM that Americans are known for....
But it’s still true.
Do want the strength to face opposition to your faith, ask God to give you the words in that moment.
Some might be tempted ask, “What would I do if I were Peter?” … I don’t think we can know that.
Does my faith in God include dependency on HIs strength.
Does my faith in God include dependency on HIs strength.
The rest of the story...
Peter would go on to give the rest of his life serving the Lord.
He was the one who spoke up at Pentecost.
When the religious leaders told him to stop talking about Jesus he and John said, “Judge for yourselves if we should listen to
Summary “Always be ready to give a defense for your faith.”
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,