Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

This morning, we explored the profound question Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do you say I am?” It’s a question that cuts through the noise of opinions, commentary, and even our own insecurities. So often, our words simply commentate on what already is—like the weather, our schedules, or the state of the world. But sometimes, our words do more than describe reality; they shape it. When we speak truth, encouragement, or even love, we create new possibilities and change the course of relationships and lives. Our words, like the rudder of a ship, have the power to steer us and those around us toward new realities.

Jesus’ question isn’t born out of insecurity or a need for affirmation. Instead, he invites us to articulate what we truly believe, to move beyond echoing the opinions of others and to own our convictions. The disciples, when pressed, offer up the opinions of the crowd: some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, or Jeremiah. Each of these figures represents a different longing in the human heart—John the Baptist, the monk, stands for inner transformation and moral renewal; Elijah, the miracle worker, for supernatural intervention and hope in the impossible; Jeremiah, the prophet, for justice and the mending of a broken society.

We, too, find ourselves drawn to one or more of these aspects. Some of us long for forgiveness and a clean conscience, others for miracles in desperate situations, and still others for justice in a world that feels unfair. But Jesus refuses to be boxed in. He is not just a moral teacher, a miracle worker, or a social reformer. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God—infinitely more than any one of our categories.

To encounter Jesus is to meet the one who holds all these longings together and surpasses them. He is the one who forgives, heals, restores, and challenges us to live beyond ourselves. He is the one who laughs and weeps, who welcomes the outcast and confronts the comfortable, who offers hope for tomorrow and mercy for yesterday. The invitation is to see Jesus as he truly is, not as we wish him to be, and to let that truth become the foundation on which we build our lives. The question remains: Who do you say he is?

Key Takeaways

• 1. Words Shape Reality, Not Just Describe It Our words are not merely commentary on what already exists; they have the power to create new realities. When we speak encouragement, truth, or love, we can change the atmosphere of a room, the direction of a relationship, or even the trajectory of our own lives. Just as God spoke creation into being, we, made in His image, are invited to use our words to bring light, hope, and healing. Be mindful of what you speak over yourself and others, for your words can either build up or tear down. [04:46]
• 2. Jesus Invites Us to Own Our Convictions It’s easy to hide behind the opinions of others or to echo what the crowd is saying, but Jesus calls us to a deeper honesty. He asks us to articulate our own beliefs, to “nail our colours to the mast,” and to take responsibility for our faith. This act of owning our convictions is transformative—it moves us from passive observers to active participants in the story God is writing. Don’t let your faith be secondhand; let it be your own. [08:23]
• 3. We All Long for Different Aspects of Salvation Some of us seek inner peace and forgiveness, others crave miracles, and still others yearn for justice in the world. These longings are reflected in the disciples’ answers—John the Baptist for moral renewal, Elijah for miracles, Jeremiah for justice. Recognizing which aspect resonates with us can help us understand our own spiritual hunger, but we must be careful not to reduce Jesus to just one of these roles. He is the fulfillment of all our longings and more. [16:17]
• 4. Jesus Refuses to Be Pigeonholed Jesus is not merely a moral teacher, a miracle worker, or a social reformer—he is all of these and infinitely more. When we try to fit him into a single category, we risk missing the fullness of who he is. True spiritual maturity comes from embracing the complexity and mystery of Christ, allowing him to challenge, comfort, and surprise us in ways we never expected. Let Jesus be bigger than your expectations. [18:33]
• 5. The Foundation of Our Lives Is the Truth of Christ The question “Who do you say I am?” is not just for the disciples, but for each of us today. Our answer to this question shapes everything—our identity, our hope, our purpose, and our future. When we confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, we find a rock on which to build something beautiful, enduring, and true. Let this confession be the cornerstone of your life, and let it shape every word you speak and every action you take.
  
  ** [22:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:12] - The Worst Superpower and Insecurity
• [02:31] - Jesus’ Question: Who Do You Say I Am?
• [04:46] - The Power of Words to Shape Reality
• [06:12] - Articulating Truth and Changing Relationships
• [08:23] - Owning Your Convictions vs. Hiding Behind Others
• [13:51] - John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah Explained
• [16:17] - The Monks, the Miracles, and the Martin Luthers
• [16:54] - Our Longings: Moral Renewal, Miracles, and Justice
• [18:33] - Jesus Surpasses All Our Categories
• [19:52] - The Dangers of Imbalance
• [22:53] - The Rock of Christ: Building on the Truth
• [23:30] - Closing and Invitation

Bible Reading

Matthew 16:13-17 (ESV) — Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 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.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

James 3:3-6 (ESV) — If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.

Genesis 1:3 (ESV) — And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 16, what different answers do the disciples give when Jesus asks, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” What do these answers reveal about the expectations people had of Jesus? [02:31]
2. According to James 3, what is the comparison made between the tongue and a rudder? What does this suggest about the power of our words? [04:46]
3. In the sermon, what three figures do the disciples mention, and what does each one represent in terms of human longing or need? [13:51]
4. How does Peter respond to Jesus’ question, and how does Jesus react to Peter’s answer? [16:54]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” instead of just telling them who he is? What is he inviting them (and us) to do by asking this question? [02:31]
2. The sermon talks about how our words can “form reality” and not just comment on it. What does it mean for our words to create new possibilities or change the direction of our lives? [04:46]
3. The disciples’ answers (John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah) each reflect a different longing—moral renewal, miracles, or justice. Why is it tempting to focus on just one aspect of who Jesus is? What might we miss if we do that? [16:17]
4. The sermon says Jesus “refuses to be pigeonholed.” What are some ways people today try to fit Jesus into a single category? How does this limit our understanding of him? [18:33]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says our words can either build up or tear down, and that we “form a new reality” by what we say. Think about your words this past week—was there a moment when you spoke something that changed the atmosphere or direction of a conversation or relationship? How can you be more intentional with your words this week? [04:46]
2. Jesus asks us to “own our convictions” and not just echo what others say. Is there an area of your faith where you’ve been hiding behind someone else’s opinion or just going along with the crowd? What would it look like for you to “nail your colours to the mast” and own your beliefs? [08:23]
3. The sermon describes three types of longing: for forgiveness (moral renewal), for miracles, and for justice. Which of these do you most resonate with right now? How does knowing Jesus is more than just one of these encourage or challenge you? [16:17]
4. Have you ever tried to fit Jesus into a box—seeing him mainly as a teacher, a miracle worker, or a social reformer? How has this shaped your relationship with him? What might change if you let Jesus be “bigger than your expectations”? [18:33]
5. The sermon says, “The foundation of our lives is the truth of Christ.” What does it mean for you, personally, to build your life on the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Are there areas where you need to let this truth shape your actions or decisions? [22:53]
6. The power of words is compared to God speaking creation into being. Is there a specific truth, encouragement, or word of love you need to speak over yourself or someone else this week? What’s holding you back? [06:12]
7. Jesus is described as the one who “welcomes the outcast and confronts the comfortable.” Which of these do you need from Jesus right now—comfort, challenge, or both? How can you open yourself to receive what you need from him? [19:52]