"Who Is He?"-(Who Is Christ Series -1)
Introductory Message
Matthew 16:13-17
Follow, Follow! I would follow Jesus! Anywhere, Everywhere, I would follow on!
In the believers heart it is not a question of following Jesus.
The real question is which Jesus are you going to follow?
I. A Cultured View of Jesus
A. The world has envisioned Jesus to the point we now have several to choose from.
1. # Indian .... Red Jesus
# Asian .... Yellow Jesus
# African-American .... Black Jesus
# Caucasian ... White Jesus
a. Red, Yellow, Black, and White, Jesus is precious in our sight.
…. Jesus now fits our song!
B I remember when as a teenager Jesus was portrayed as a "clown" in the musical Godspel.
1. In the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" Jesus is portrayed as a long hair hippie with the grudged look about him.
2. In the “Passion of Christ”, Jesus is portrayed as bloodied, tortured Victim.
C. Today Jesus is portrayed as ...
# CEO .... Business Man
# Civil Rights Leader .... Ethnic Oppressed
# Good Buddy .... Trucker
# Trading Card Jesus .... Muscle Bound
#Cowboy Jesus…Helping us Ride the Range of Live
1 . It's enough to make a person say, "Will the real Jesus please stand up!"
2.. Who is this Jesus ………we say we will follow?
II. A First Century View of Jesus
A. In the days Jesus walked in flesh and blood, the question was being asked by everyone. (Jesus was the hot topic of the day.)
1. The Pharisees and religious establishment of the day was asking who this Jesus was?
Luke 5:21 (KJV) And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
The Bible
* Identifies Him as "Son of Man"
John 12:34 (KJV) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man
* His death on the cross Identifies Him
John 8:25 (KJV) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
John 8:28 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
* Identifies Father-Son relationship
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father
2. The city of Jerusalem was asking who is this Jesus?
Matthew 21:10 (KJV) And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
3. Even the disciples were asking themselves who this Jesus was.
Matthew 8:27 (KJV) But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him
III. Jesus' View of Jesus
A. To consider the claims of Jesus too closely and for too long is a risky business,
· because there is a real danger that our preconceived ideas about Him will be truly shaken,……………… and our easy-going attitude to Him threatened.
1. Here's the FACT OF THE MATTER Jesus is more concerned about who we think He is than we are!
Mark 8:29 He said to them , And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ ."
2. Jesus had begun the questioning with who other thought He was.
# John the Baptist alive from the dead
# Elijah reappearing
# Jeremiah, or another OT prophet
B There are those around us who admire Jesus' moral teachings, but ignore his "spiritual" teachings .
1. They applaud "turn the other cheek"
but ignore Him when he says,
"No one comes to the Father except by Me."
2 They repeat His command to love one another,
but ignore His claim, "I and the Father are one."
3. They use His Words out of Context to foster their Adjenda
But fail to Acknowledge His Plan and Purpose.
C. Through all have various opinions about Jesus, his question still stands,
"Who do YOU say I am?"
D. Who others think Jesus is will never do for really knowing who He is.
** Jesus wants to reveal Himself in your heart and life .
1. "Jesus affirms Peter's confession of who He is.
Peter's answer is short, but it is full, and true, and to the purpose;
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
2. Here is a confession of the Christian faith, addressed to Christ
# You are the Christ (Messiah)
# You are the Son of God.
3. Peter was now seeing Jesus, as John the Baptist had seen Him.
John 1:29 (KJV) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world
4. (vs.17) Jesus confirms Peter's answer to the question that only God can reveal in the hearts of men and women who Jesus really is.
Popular opinion can never do when it comes to deciding who Jesus is.
· Who is this Jesus?
· The question continues to be asked today. Ask yourself, "Who is this Jesus?"
· In the weeks to come we will examine the life and character of this man called Jesus.
· I believe we will find not the Jesus of appeal or convenience but the Jesus Peter and others have experienced.
· People by the scores are finding the real Jesus by looking to the Scriptures.
· Wherever you go you will find those who will tell you: "Jesus is true and alive."
· They know because they are speaking from experience.
· In the end, when all is said and done the question will still be there
"Who do YOU say I am?" You will have to decide, who is this Jesus?
