Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Devotional

Day 1: Personal Conviction in a World of Opinions

Understanding who Jesus is requires a personal conviction that transcends cultural or popular opinions. In a world filled with diverse beliefs and misconceptions about Jesus, it is essential to have a personal understanding of Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This conviction is foundational to our faith and salvation, shaping our identity and guiding our spiritual journey. It is not enough to rely on what others say about Jesus; each person must answer the question, "Who is Jesus to you?" This personal conviction is a cornerstone of a vibrant and enduring faith. [39:38]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal conviction of who Jesus is, beyond what you have been taught or heard from others?

Day 2: Divine Revelation as the Source of True Understanding

Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, highlights the importance of divine revelation over human wisdom. This understanding is not something that can be achieved through human reasoning or intellect; it is a spiritual awakening that comes from God. Recognizing Jesus' true identity is a gift of divine insight, and it is essential for genuine faith. As believers, we are called to seek this revelation and allow it to transform our understanding and relationship with Jesus. [44:35]

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (ESV): "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God."

Reflection: How can you open yourself to receive divine revelation about Jesus' identity in your daily life?

Day 3: The Church's Foundation on Christ

The church is built on the confession of Jesus as the Christ, not on any human leader. This foundation empowers the church to advance against the gates of Hades, fulfilling its mission to reach the lost. Jesus' promise that "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" assures us of the church's enduring strength and mission. As members of the church, we are called to stand firm on this foundation and actively participate in its mission to bring the light of the gospel to the world. [50:57]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the church's mission, standing firm on the foundation of Christ?

Day 4: Authority to Proclaim the Gospel

Believers are given the authority to declare the terms of entrance into God's kingdom, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel message with the world. This authority is symbolized by the "keys to the kingdom," which represent the responsibility and privilege of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we are entrusted with this mission and called to use our authority to invite others into God's family, sharing the transformative power of the gospel with those around us. [55:19]

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel message, and how can you use your authority to share it with them today?

Day 5: Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to actively share the good news of Jesus with those around us, recognizing the urgency of salvation and the transformative power of the gospel. The world is filled with people who are searching for hope and meaning, and it is our responsibility to share the message of Jesus' love and redemption. This call to action is not just a suggestion but a vital part of our faith journey, as we invite others to experience the life-changing power of knowing Jesus as their Savior and Lord. [59:11]

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to share the gospel with someone who has not yet heard it?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Matthew 16:13-20, we delve into one of the most profound questions posed by Jesus: "Who do you say that I am?" This question, asked in the culturally diverse and religiously rich region of Caesarea Philippi, challenges us to reflect on our personal understanding of Jesus amidst a world filled with varying opinions and beliefs. The backdrop of this question is significant, as it was asked in a place known for its idolatry and competing worldviews, highlighting the importance of recognizing Jesus' true identity.

The disciples' responses reflect the diverse perceptions of Jesus at the time, with some seeing Him as John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. However, it is Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," that stands out as a profound confession of faith. This acknowledgment is not based on human wisdom but divine revelation, emphasizing that true understanding of Jesus' identity comes from God.

The passage further reveals that the church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, not on human figures like Peter. Jesus' promise that "the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" assures us of the church's enduring strength and mission to advance against the forces of darkness. As believers, we are entrusted with the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing the authority to proclaim the gospel and invite others into God's family.

In a world filled with misconceptions about Jesus, it is crucial for each of us to answer the question, "Who is Jesus to you?" This personal conviction shapes our faith and determines our eternal destiny. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to share this revelation with others, inviting them to experience the transformative power of knowing Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Personal Conviction: Understanding who Jesus is goes beyond cultural or popular opinions. It requires a personal conviction that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, which is foundational to our faith and salvation. [39:38]
2. Divine Revelation Over Human Wisdom: Peter's confession highlights that recognizing Jesus' true identity is a result of divine revelation, not human reasoning. This spiritual awakening is essential for genuine faith. [44:35]
3. The Church's Foundation and Mission: The church is built on the confession of Jesus as the Christ, not on any human leader. This foundation empowers the church to advance against the gates of Hades, fulfilling its mission to reach the lost. [50:57]
4. Authority to Proclaim the Gospel: Believers are given the authority to declare the terms of entrance into God's kingdom, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel message with the world. [55:19]
5. Urgency of Sharing the Gospel: As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to actively share the good news of Jesus with those around us, recognizing the urgency of salvation and the transformative power of the gospel. [59:11]
** [59:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:25] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[32:14] - Introduction to Matthew 16
[32:46] - The Question of Identity
[33:33] - Setting the Scene: Caesarea Philippi
[34:22] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
[35:14] - Cultural Perceptions of Jesus
[36:36] - Who is Jesus Today?
[37:34] - Disciples' Responses
[39:06] - Moving Beyond Popular Opinion
[40:19] - Peter's Confession
[42:14] - The Significance of Christos
[43:14] - The Importance of Personal Conviction
[44:17] - Revelation and Divine Insight
[47:33] - Jesus' Promise to Build His Church
[50:57] - The Church's Foundation
[54:33] - Authority to Proclaim the Gospel
[56:24] - Call to Salvation
[58:22] - Our Role as Ambassadors
[62:08] - Final Call to Action

Sermon Clips

In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked one of the most important questions of all times. He asked the question, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" And that question transcends history, culture, and even personal beliefs. As we explore this passage, we're going to examine what people said about Jesus, but more importantly, I think it's important for us to realize what we say about Jesus Christ. [00:33:00]

The question remains central to all of us this morning: Who is Jesus to you? Who is Jesus to you? Let's take a look at what the people say. Look at verse 14, and they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." You see, John the Baptist was a bold preacher. He was a man who called people to repentance and to follow God. [00:37:25]

We need to move beyond popular opinion to personal conviction. It is a matter of life and death that you know who Jesus Christ is. Life, listen, life if we get it right, death if we get it wrong. Life if we get it right, death if we get it wrong. And then look at Peter's answer. Look at verses 15 and 16. [00:39:44]

Peter's confession was not a result of intellectual reasoning or human wisdom, but of divine revelation. You see, Jesus emphasizes that knowledge of his identity is not something that can be grasped by human effort alone. It is God, it is God's spirit that opens our eyes to see truth. God's spirit. [00:44:08]

Jesus is saying that all the forces of Satan's authority and power cannot prevail against the church because God's church has been given victory over the onslaughts of the wicked one. I like the way one author put it. He writes very surely here, quote, contrary to how this verse is sometimes interpreted, Jesus is not saying that the church is on the defensive while hell attacks. [00:52:41]

Jesus is giving Peter, and by extension the church, the authority to declare the terms of the entrance into God's kingdom. The authority, though, is not a free reign where we dictate what is needed for salvation. No, the authority that we have been given, like Peter, is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ freely to every man, every woman, every boy, every girl around the world. [00:54:41]

Paul pinned in Romans chap 10: 9-13, he says that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes on righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made onto salvation. For the scripture says, for whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. [00:55:43]

We are commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I've commanded you. And lo, I'm with you even to the end of the age. And I'm telling you that there are people everywhere around the globe that need to hear about who Jesus is. [00:58:01]

Today, you and I are the preachers. Spirit Lake Baptist Church does not have one preacher. Spirit Lake Baptist Church has many preachers. We are all to be proclaimers of the good news of Jesus Christ. Revelation has been given to me and given to you, and we must share it with all of those who need Jesus Christ. [00:59:41]

We live in a world where there is a plethora of religions. New ones are springing up almost daily. I was doing some study this week, and I came across a new religion. It is called Christadelphian. I had no idea what Christadelphian was, so I went online and I started doing some research and discovered that they are a cult. They deny the deity of Jesus Christ. [01:00:14]

Salvation is based on that answer. There is no other way for mankind to be saved. No other way. John 14:6, Acts 4:12. Jesus Christ is the rock on which he builds his church. It is not based on human wisdom or opinions, but on divine revelation. Man does not give you the right to enter Heaven any other way. [01:01:02]

If Jesus is your savior, then your life must reflect that truth. And if you've never made a confession, if you've never surrendered your heart to Jesus, now is the day of salvation. Call upon him today, and he will save you. He will save you gloriously. He will save you wonderfully. He will save you from the gutter most to the uttermost. [01:02:52]

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