Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound question Jesus posed to His disciples in Matthew 16: "Who do you say I am?" This question is not just a historical inquiry but a personal challenge that resonates through the ages, demanding an answer from each of us. Understanding Jesus' true identity is crucial because it shapes our lives and determines our eternal destiny. Jesus is not merely a prophet or a moral teacher; He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This recognition is foundational to our faith and the church's mission.
We delved into the various misconceptions about Jesus' identity, from seeing Him as a mere moral teacher to a political mascot. These views fall short of acknowledging His divine nature and the transformative power of His lordship. C.S. Lewis's trilemma reminds us that Jesus' claims leave no room for Him to be just a good teacher; He is either Lord, lunatic, or liar.
Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," serves as a model for our own declaration of faith. This confession is not just intellectual assent but a life-altering truth that demands our full allegiance. It calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Our response to this truth should be one of repentance, faith, and obedience, as we align our lives with His will.
The church, built on the foundation of this confession, is entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. This authority is not about wielding power but about faithfully proclaiming the gospel, calling sinners to repentance, and practicing church discipline. The church's mission is to open the door to the kingdom of heaven, inviting all to enter through faith in Jesus Christ.
As we reflect on our own lives, we must ask ourselves: Who do we say Jesus is? Our answer to this question is of eternal significance. It is a call to examine our hearts, to ensure our faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ, and to actively participate in the church's mission with humility and boldness.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Jesus' true identity is crucial for our faith and eternal destiny. He is not just a prophet or moral teacher but the Christ, the Son of the living God. This recognition demands our full allegiance and shapes our lives. [02:33]
- Misconceptions about Jesus' identity, such as seeing Him as a moral teacher or political mascot, fall short of acknowledging His divine nature. C.S. Lewis's trilemma challenges us to recognize Jesus as Lord, not just a good teacher. [09:26]
- Peter's confession serves as a model for our own declaration of faith. It is a life-altering truth that calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Our response should be one of repentance, faith, and obedience. [14:05]
- The church, built on the foundation of this confession, is entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. This authority involves proclaiming the gospel, calling sinners to repentance, and practicing church discipline, all aimed at opening the door to the kingdom of heaven. [28:15]
- Our answer to the question "Who do you say Jesus is?" is of eternal significance. It calls us to examine our hearts, ensure our faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ, and actively participate in the church's mission with humility and boldness. [39:58]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Personal Story: Speeding Ticket
[02:19] - Importance of Identity
[03:05] - Question of Jesus' Identity
[04:06] - Jesus' Title: Son of Man
[05:01] - Popular Opinions of Jesus
[06:51] - Disciples' Understanding
[08:13] - Misconceptions About Jesus
[09:26] - C.S. Lewis' Trilemma
[13:39] - Peter's Confession
[17:05] - Life-Altering Confession
[20:18] - Foundation of the Church
[25:52] - Authority of the Church
[30:07] - Keys of the Kingdom
[37:43] - Gospel as the Key to Eternal Life
[41:41] - Examining Our Hearts
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:13-20
- Daniel 7:13-14
- C.S. Lewis's Trilemma (Mere Christianity)
Observation Questions:
1. What question does Jesus ask His disciples in Matthew 16, and why is it significant? [02:48]
2. How do the disciples initially respond to Jesus' question about His identity, and what are some of the popular opinions they mention? [05:01]
3. What is Peter's confession about Jesus, and how does Jesus respond to it? [14:05]
4. What authority does Jesus say He will give to the church, and what does this symbolize? [28:15]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is understanding Jesus' true identity crucial for both personal faith and the mission of the church? [02:33]
2. How does C.S. Lewis's trilemma challenge common misconceptions about Jesus' identity? [09:26]
3. In what ways does Peter's confession serve as a model for our own declaration of faith? [14:05]
4. How does the concept of the "keys of the kingdom" relate to the church's mission and authority? [28:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal answer to Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" How does this shape your daily life and decisions? [39:58]
2. Have you ever held a misconception about Jesus' identity? How did you come to a clearer understanding of who He is? [09:26]
3. Peter's confession was life-altering. In what ways has your confession of faith in Jesus changed your life? [14:05]
4. How can you actively participate in the church's mission to proclaim the gospel and call sinners to repentance? [28:15]
5. Consider the authority given to the church. How can you support and engage in the church's mission with humility and boldness? [39:58]
6. What steps can you take to ensure your faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ? [39:58]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church community to deepen their understanding of Jesus' identity and mission? [39:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Identity Shapes Our Eternal Destiny
Understanding Jesus' true identity is crucial for our faith and eternal destiny. He is not just a prophet or moral teacher but the Christ, the Son of the living God. This recognition demands our full allegiance and shapes our lives. Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" is not merely historical but a personal challenge that echoes through time. It requires us to confront our understanding of who Jesus is and how that understanding influences our lives. Recognizing Jesus as the Christ is foundational to our faith and the mission of the church. This acknowledgment is not just an intellectual exercise but a transformative truth that calls us to align our lives with His will. [02:33]
Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
Reflection: How does your understanding of Jesus' identity influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this truth?
Day 2: Misconceptions About Jesus' Identity
Misconceptions about Jesus' identity, such as seeing Him as a moral teacher or political mascot, fall short of acknowledging His divine nature. C.S. Lewis's trilemma challenges us to recognize Jesus as Lord, not just a good teacher. Many people throughout history have misunderstood Jesus, reducing Him to a mere moral guide or a figurehead for political agendas. However, these views fail to capture the fullness of His divine nature and the transformative power of His lordship. C.S. Lewis famously argued that Jesus' claims about Himself leave no room for Him to be merely a good teacher; He must be either Lord, lunatic, or liar. This trilemma forces us to confront the reality of who Jesus is and to respond accordingly. [09:26]
Colossians 2:8-9 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."
Reflection: Are there any misconceptions you hold about Jesus that might be limiting your relationship with Him? How can you seek a deeper understanding of His true nature today?
Day 3: Peter's Confession as a Model of Faith
Peter's confession serves as a model for our own declaration of faith. It is a life-altering truth that calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Our response should be one of repentance, faith, and obedience. Peter's bold declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," is more than just words; it is a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' true identity. This confession is not merely intellectual assent but a commitment that demands our full allegiance. It calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Our response to this truth should be marked by repentance, faith, and obedience as we seek to align our lives with His will. [14:05]
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV): "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."
Reflection: What does it mean for you to confess Jesus as both Savior and King in your life? How can you demonstrate this confession through your actions today?
Day 4: The Church's Mission and Authority
The church, built on the foundation of this confession, is entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. This authority involves proclaiming the gospel, calling sinners to repentance, and practicing church discipline, all aimed at opening the door to the kingdom of heaven. The church's mission is not about wielding power but about faithfully proclaiming the gospel and inviting others into the kingdom of heaven. Built on the foundation of the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the church is entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. This authority involves calling sinners to repentance and practicing church discipline, all with the goal of opening the door to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. [28:15]
Matthew 18:18-20 (ESV): "Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in the church's mission to proclaim the gospel and invite others into the kingdom of heaven? What role can you play in supporting this mission?
Day 5: The Eternal Significance of Our Confession
Our answer to the question "Who do you say Jesus is?" is of eternal significance. It calls us to examine our hearts, ensure our faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ, and actively participate in the church's mission with humility and boldness. This question is not just a matter of personal belief but has eternal implications. Our confession of Jesus as the Christ shapes our identity, purpose, and destiny. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ. As we reflect on this question, we are invited to participate in the church's mission with humility and boldness, sharing the transformative power of the gospel with others. [39:58]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your heart. Is your faith rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ? How can you live out this confession with humility and boldness in your daily life?
Quotes
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks his disciples a question that determines uh that is asking them not just their faith but asking them also about where is the spot in eternity he asks them who do you say I am and this question isn't just for them it's for all of us and how we answer it shape shapes our lives and our eternity so who is Jesus that's the question this passage is concerned with and we get a definitive answer in this passage. [00:02:38]
Peter's confession serves as a model for our own declaration of faith. It is a life-altering truth that calls us to surrender our lives to Jesus, recognizing Him as both Savior and King. Our response should be one of repentance, faith, and obedience. [00:14:05]
A man who was merely a man and yet said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher he would either be a lunatic on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg or else he would be the devil of hell himself you must make your choice either this man was and is the son of God or else a madman or something worse. [00:09:29]
Jesus is not just some mere person that we can just say "Oh I like him." Everything changes in our lives when we recognize that this means that we can't just take a few things what we like and leave out the other things this means we got to surrender we have to lay down everything nothing is mine it is all his and he has every right to take what he wants and to give me what he wants. [00:17:39]
The church, built on the foundation of this confession, is entrusted with the keys of the kingdom. This authority involves proclaiming the gospel, calling sinners to repentance, and practicing church discipline, all aimed at opening the door to the kingdom of heaven. [00:28:15]
The church does not stand on human strength but it stands on the unshakable truth of Jesus's identity and work it doesn't stand survive or thrive on papal authority if Jesus's authority Jesus's authority is the only one that builds protects and empowers the church. [00:26:37]
The keys symbolize the authority to allow to uh to welcome and usher people in and to say "No you do not you are not belonging there." to allow access to the kingdom or to deny it based on one's response to Jesus. [00:28:15]
The gospel is the key to eternal life are we going to turn repent and enter Christ's kingdom for those who are Christians are you engaged in the life of the church are you taking your membership as part of this body seriously. [00:37:43]
Our answer to the question "Who do you say Jesus is?" is of eternal significance. It calls us to examine our hearts, ensure our faith is rooted in the true confession of Jesus as the Christ, and actively participate in the church's mission with humility and boldness. [00:39:58]
The church is Christ's witness to the public people look at us and think of Jesus that's a big deal that is a really big deal so we must hold the keys of the kingdom with great humility not pride or arrogance we should joyfully seek to open that door as often as we possibly can and we proclaim the gospel with with love but boldly because we have the authority of Jesus standing behind us when we do. [00:40:07]
Peter boldly declares "You are the Christ the son of the living God." Now Christ is the same word as Messiah it's just the Greek term instead of the Hebrew term and it refers to the anointed one the savior the promised one of the Old Testament and in the son of the living God is affirming Jesus's divine identity his deity showing that he's not just some human figure but he is God's son. [00:14:08]
The foundation of the church then is not built on human effort it is built on the revelation of God god is the one who builds his church so then Jesus makes a promise to him he says "You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church." [00:20:18]
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