Identifying Our Role as Christ's Witnesses in Community
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the theme "The Real Me, Who Am I in the Community?" by delving into Mark 8:27-30, where Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do people say I am?" and "Who do you say I am?" This passage challenges us to reflect on our identity in Christ and our role within our community. Jesus was deeply embedded in His community, traveling from town to town, healing the sick, and teaching. His visibility and credibility were unquestionable, and He calls us to be the same in our communities.
We discussed the importance of being visible and credible witnesses for Christ. Visibility means showing up in places where people can see the light of Christ in us, whether it's a coffee shop, a bank, or even a sports arena. Credibility involves living a life that aligns with our testimony, ensuring that our actions reflect our faith. Jesus' question to His disciples was not just about public opinion but about personal conviction. Peter's declaration, "You are the Messiah," was a testament to his understanding and relationship with Jesus.
We also touched on the responsibility that comes with being a follower of Christ. Jesus warned His disciples not to tell anyone about Him at that moment, emphasizing the importance of timing and discretion in our witness. However, after His resurrection, He commanded them to go and make disciples of all nations. This duality of timing and responsibility teaches us that there is a season for everything, and we must be attuned to God's timing in our lives.
In conclusion, our identity in Christ should be evident in our community. We are called to be visible, credible, and responsible witnesses, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus in all that we do. As we navigate our daily lives, let us continually ask ourselves, "Who am I in the community?" and strive to be the light that points others to Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Visibility in the Community: Jesus was always present in the community, healing the sick and teaching the Word. Our visibility as Christians should reflect the light of Christ in everyday places like coffee shops, banks, and even sports arenas. Being visible means showing up and letting others see Christ in us. [20:03]
2. Credibility in Our Witness: Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah highlights the importance of credibility. Our actions and words must align with our faith. Credibility is built through consistent, Christ-like behavior that stands up to scrutiny, much like a credible witness in a court of law. [23:06]
3. Responsibility in Timing: Jesus instructed His disciples not to reveal His identity prematurely, teaching us the importance of timing in our witness. There is a season for everything, and we must be sensitive to God's timing in sharing the Gospel. After His resurrection, Jesus commanded them to go and make disciples, showing that there is a time to speak and a time to wait. [26:56]
4. Personal Conviction: Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" was aimed at eliciting a personal conviction from His disciples. Our faith must be personal and deeply rooted in our relationship with Christ. It's not enough to know what others say about Jesus; we must know Him for ourselves. [22:19]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our identity in Christ should be evident in our daily lives. We are called to be visible, credible, and responsible witnesses, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus. This involves being active in our communities and living out our faith in a way that others can see and be inspired by. [29:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:39] - Celebrating Deacon Jerry Waller's 90th Birthday
[11:55] - Opening Prayer
[13:07] - Scripture Reading: Mark 8:27-30
[14:22] - Introduction: The Real Me in the Community
[15:31] - Jesus' Ministry in the Community
[16:25] - The Pop Quiz: Who Do People Say I Am?
[17:18] - Visibility in the Community
[18:13] - Jesus' Public Perception
[19:07] - Personal Reflection: Who Are You in the Community?
[20:03] - Being a Witness in Everyday Places
[21:02] - Different Perceptions of Jesus
[22:19] - Credibility: Who Do You Say I Am?
[23:06] - Peter's Declaration and Its Significance
[25:16] - Responsibility: Timing in Our Witness
[26:56] - The Importance of Timing in Sharing the Gospel
[29:07] - Living Out Our Faith in the Community
[31:19] - Closing Reflections and Prayer
[33:07] - Invitation to Faith and Fellowship
[35:56] - Announcements and Acknowledgements
[40:59] - Closing Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 8:27-30 (NIV)
> Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different opinions people had about Jesus' identity according to Mark 8:27-30?
2. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" and what was the significance of his answer? [22:19]
3. Why did Jesus instruct His disciples not to tell anyone about Him at that moment? [25:53]
4. How did Jesus' actions in the community (healing the sick, teaching) reflect His visibility and credibility? [17:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus asked His disciples about public opinion before asking for their personal conviction? [18:13]
2. How does Peter's declaration, "You are the Messiah," demonstrate his understanding and relationship with Jesus? [23:06]
3. What does Jesus' instruction about timing teach us about the importance of discretion in our witness? [26:56]
4. How can the concept of being a credible witness for Christ be applied in our daily lives? [25:16]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own visibility in the community. Are there specific places where you can be more present to let others see Christ in you? [20:03]
2. Think about your credibility as a witness for Christ. Are there areas in your life where your actions do not align with your testimony? How can you address these inconsistencies? [22:19]
3. Consider the timing of your witness. Are there moments when you feel prompted to share the Gospel but hesitate? How can you become more attuned to God's timing? [26:56]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper personal conviction about who Jesus is, beyond what others say about Him? [23:06]
5. Identify one way you can live out your faith more visibly in your community this week. What specific action will you take to reflect the love and truth of Jesus? [29:07]
6. How can you balance being a visible and credible witness for Christ without seeking excessive publicity or recognition? [25:53]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt responsible for sharing your faith. How did you handle it, and what did you learn about God's timing and your role in the community? [27:40]
Devotional
Day 1: Visibility in the Community
Description: Jesus was always present in the community, healing the sick and teaching the Word. Our visibility as Christians should reflect the light of Christ in everyday places like coffee shops, banks, and even sports arenas. Being visible means showing up and letting others see Christ in us. [20:03]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of a place you frequent regularly (e.g., a coffee shop, gym, or workplace). How can you intentionally show the light of Christ in that environment today?
Day 2: Credibility in Our Witness
Description: Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah highlights the importance of credibility. Our actions and words must align with our faith. Credibility is built through consistent, Christ-like behavior that stands up to scrutiny, much like a credible witness in a court of law. [23:06]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent actions and words. Is there an area where your behavior does not align with your faith? What steps can you take to ensure your witness is credible?
Day 3: Responsibility in Timing
Description: Jesus instructed His disciples not to reveal His identity prematurely, teaching us the importance of timing in our witness. There is a season for everything, and we must be sensitive to God's timing in sharing the Gospel. After His resurrection, Jesus commanded them to go and make disciples, showing that there is a time to speak and a time to wait. [26:56]
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b (ESV): "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."
Reflection: Is there someone you feel led to share the Gospel with? Pray for discernment about the right timing and approach to share your faith with them.
Day 4: Personal Conviction
Description: Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" was aimed at eliciting a personal conviction from His disciples. Our faith must be personal and deeply rooted in our relationship with Christ. It's not enough to know what others say about Jesus; we must know Him for ourselves. [22:19]
Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. How would you answer His question, "Who do you say I am?" in your own words?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith
Description: Our identity in Christ should be evident in our daily lives. We are called to be visible, credible, and responsible witnesses, reflecting the love and truth of Jesus. This involves being active in our communities and living out our faith in a way that others can see and be inspired by. [29:07]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Identify one specific action you can take today to live out your faith in your community. How can this action reflect the love and truth of Jesus to those around you?
Quotes
1. "How many believe that today? How many can experience that today? That right in the middle, whatever you're going through, God is right there. Whatever you're facing, God is right there. Whatever enemies may be against you, God is aware. We serve that kind of God." [11:55] (102 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You didn't look at it the same way maybe a year ago, but God has brought you through something so that the word looks a little different now than it did before." [13:07] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus was all about community. His ministry was about the community. Amen? That he traveled on foot from town to town, healing the sick, casting out demons. Everywhere he would go, folk knew that Jesus was in the house." [14:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He wanted to not just test their knowledge, but did they really understand who they were hanging out with? Did they understand who they were following? Did they really get it? He raised what I would call some open-ended questions. And open-ended questions is not a yes or a no. They are ones that require a longer thought. They are ones that will require some discussion." [16:25] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But Jesus was visible in the community. For three years, he made headline news. Some called him a radical. They know that he was out preaching, saying things that they were not able to grasp. He was healing the sick, giving sight to the blind. He was preaching. He was teaching. And then the question begs, who are you in the community?" [19:07] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "But would they recognize you as a child of God in the community, not just on Sundays? How will they see? How will they see you as someone who's visible? I can't seem to get out of a coffee shop because I want to think I know everybody when I don't. But I just kind of show up. Yeah, I could have gone through drive-thru, but it's something about just going in." [20:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "But it's about knowing who you are in Christ. Amen. If anybody asks you who I am, tell them I'm a child of God. Amen. Amen. Amen. They know some other stuff about me. But this I know. Amen. So there was visibility. Where are you showing up? What do folks see in you?" [22:19] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "One thing about this faith walk, I can't measure how much you know about God. Just because you come to church every Sunday, you're in nine Bible studies. Let's say you go in the choir, you're a deacon, and you help to park a car, whatever. But you can't determine what other folk know about Jesus. Amen. You don't know their journey. You don't know what they've been through." [23:06] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "But when you begin to delight yourself in the Lord, the Bible says he'll give you the desires of your heart. But you've got to delight first. And so there's a formula. I'm going to delight, and as a result, because he made me, he know what I desire." [35:26] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "But only what we do for Christ will last. Add it all up. Did you do anything for me today? No, it was all about me today, Lord. But when you allow him to come into your heart today, it is amazing how he will use you to reach others, use you to bring comfort and joy and peace to those around you." [32:19] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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