Who Do You Say That I Am?

Devotional

Day 1: The Complexity of Faith

Faith in Jesus is a multifaceted journey that offers both comfort and challenge. It is freely given, yet it requires us to continually seek a deeper understanding and renewed commitment. This duality can make faith seem elusive at times, but it is in these moments of struggle that we often grow the most. Faith is not a static state but a dynamic relationship that evolves as we encounter different experiences and challenges in life.

Understanding the complexity of faith means recognizing that doubt and questioning are natural parts of the journey. It is through these moments of uncertainty that we are often led to a more profound and resilient faith. Embracing the complexity of faith allows us to be honest with ourselves and with God, acknowledging our struggles while also trusting in His grace and love. [40:20]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or doubt you have faced in your faith journey. How can you see this experience as an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding?

Day 2: Personal Reflection on Jesus' Identity

Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is a call for personal reflection that goes beyond historical context. It challenges each of us to define our relationship with Him and to understand His role in our lives. This question is not just a one-time inquiry but a daily one that shapes our faith journey and influences our actions and decisions.

Reflecting on Jesus' identity requires us to consider how we experience His presence in our lives. Is He merely a historical figure, or is He the living Lord who guides and sustains us? This reflection helps us to deepen our relationship with Him and to live out our faith in a more intentional and authentic way. [42:12]

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: Take a moment to write down who Jesus is to you personally. How does this understanding influence your daily life and decisions?

Day 3: Commitment to Discipleship

Welcoming new members into the church, like Katie, serves as a powerful reminder of our own commitments to discipleship. This act of reaffirmation calls us to renounce sin, accept Jesus as our Lord, and actively participate in His mission. Discipleship is both a personal and communal journey that requires ongoing dedication and involvement.

Being a disciple means more than just attending church services; it involves a daily commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of our lives. It calls us to be active participants in the life of the church and to support one another in our faith journeys. This commitment is a continuous process of growth and transformation. [47:33]

Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"

Reflection: Reflect on one specific way you can actively participate in the mission of your church this week. How can you support and encourage others in their faith journey?

Day 4: Abiding in Christ

The call to abide in Christ is central to our faith. It means staying close to Him, drawing strength from His presence, and trusting in His promises. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual life and our response to His love. Abiding in Christ involves a conscious decision to remain faithful and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.

Abiding in Christ is not just about passive waiting but active engagement with His Word and His Spirit. It requires us to cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and obedience. This relationship provides the strength and hope we need to navigate the challenges of life. [52:49]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: Consider one area of your life where you need to draw closer to Jesus. What steps can you take today to abide more deeply in Him?

Day 5: The Role of the Church Community

Our church community plays a vital role in supporting our faith journey. By becoming members, we not only commit to the church but also receive support and encouragement from our fellow believers. This reciprocal relationship strengthens our faith and helps us grow in Christ. The church community is a place where we can share our joys and struggles, receive guidance, and find a sense of belonging.

Being part of a church community means actively participating in its life and mission. It involves building relationships, serving others, and contributing to the overall health and growth of the community. This mutual support is essential for our spiritual well-being and helps us to live out our faith in a tangible and meaningful way. [51:05]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Think of one way you can encourage and support a fellow church member this week. How can you contribute to the growth and health of your church community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Southminster family! Today, we gathered to reflect on the profound question Jesus posed to His disciples: "Who do you say that I am?" This question is not just historical but deeply personal and relevant to each of us. We explored the complexity of faith, acknowledging that while it can be comforting and freely given, it is also challenging and sometimes elusive. Our journey through the lectionary this summer has been like surfing the vast ocean of God's love, using the Gospel of John as our guide. We delved into the Bread of Life discourse, understanding that Jesus is our sustenance, our very life.

We also celebrated the welcoming of a new member, Katie, into our church family. This act of reaffirmation of faith is a reminder of our own commitments to follow Christ, to trust in His grace, and to participate actively in the life of the church. The questions posed to Katie—about renouncing sin, accepting Jesus as Lord, and committing to discipleship—are questions we must continually ask ourselves.

As we concluded, we were reminded of the importance of abiding in Christ. The hymns "Abide With Me," "Give Me Jesus," and "Be Thou My Vision" echoed this theme, encouraging us to draw close to Jesus, who is the source of our strength and hope. The call to abide in Him is a call to stay, to remain faithful, and to trust in His promises, even when the journey is difficult.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Complexity of Faith: Faith in Jesus is both simple and complex. It offers comfort and is freely given, yet it also challenges us and can be elusive. This duality requires us to continually seek deeper understanding and renewed commitment. [40:20]
2. Personal Reflection on Jesus' Identity: Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is a call for personal reflection. It challenges us to define our relationship with Him and to understand His role in our lives. This is not just a historical question but a daily one that shapes our faith journey. [42:12]
3. Commitment to Discipleship: The act of welcoming new members like Katie into our church is a powerful reminder of our own commitments. We are called to renounce sin, accept Jesus as our Lord, and actively participate in His mission. This commitment is both personal and communal. [47:33]
4. Abiding in Christ: The call to abide in Christ is central to our faith. It means staying close to Him, drawing strength from His presence, and trusting in His promises. This abiding relationship is the foundation of our spiritual life and our response to His love. [52:49]
5. The Role of the Church Community: Our church community plays a vital role in supporting our faith journey. By becoming members, we not only commit to the church but also receive support and encouragement from our fellow believers. This reciprocal relationship strengthens our faith and helps us grow in Christ. [51:05]
### [51:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:05] - Announcements
[03:29] - Gathering Prayer of Confession
[16:46] - Silent Prayers and Assurance of Pardon
[17:51] - Introduction to the Sermon
[38:40] - Soul Surfing Summer Recap
[40:20] - Complexity of Faith
[42:12] - Who Do You Say That I Am?
[44:11] - The Gift of the Spirit
[45:54] - Welcoming New Member Katie
[47:33] - Commitment to Discipleship
[49:24] - Apostles' Creed
[51:05] - Reciprocal Relationship in Church Membership
[52:49] - Hymns and Reflections
[57:08] - Benediction and Commission
[60:04] - Congregational Meeting and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What question does Jesus ask His disciples in John 6:66-69, and how does Peter respond?
In Mark 8:27-30, what are the different answers given by people about Jesus' identity, and what is Peter's declaration?
According to the sermon, what are the dual aspects of faith mentioned? ([40:20])
What are the questions asked to new members like Katie during their reaffirmation of faith? ([47:33])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is significant for personal reflection and faith? ([42:12])
How does the concept of abiding in Christ, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the passages from John and Mark? ([52:49])
What might be the reasons some disciples chose to turn back and no longer follow Jesus, as mentioned in John 6:66-69?
How does the act of welcoming new members into the church community serve as a reminder of our own commitments to discipleship? ([47:33])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own faith journey. How do you personally answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" ([42:12])
In what ways can you actively abide in Christ in your daily life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to stay close to Him? ([52:49])
How can you reaffirm your commitment to discipleship in your current stage of life? What steps can you take to renounce sin and follow Jesus more closely? ([47:33])
Think about a time when your faith felt both comforting and challenging. How did you navigate that complexity, and what did you learn from the experience? ([40:20])
How can you contribute to the church community in a way that supports and encourages others in their faith journey? Are there specific roles or activities you feel called to participate in? ([51:05])
Reflect on the hymns mentioned in the sermon ("Abide With Me," "Give Me Jesus," "Be Thou My Vision"). How do these hymns resonate with your current spiritual state, and how can they inspire your walk with Christ? ([52:49])
How can you support new members in your church, like Katie, and help them feel welcomed and integrated into the community? What actions can you take to foster a reciprocal relationship within the church? ([47:33])

Sermon Clips

1. "As we continue in our worship this morning, it's an opportunity for us to focus on the countenance of Christ. There's something about looking into, the eyes, the face of Christ that causes us sometimes to be humbled. We're trusting in the God that is always ready to forgive us. Always ready to forgive us. And so, we have an opportunity as a body this morning to come together and to seek forgiveness in those areas of our life, and to also seek a new life, a renewed life in Christ." [03:29] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I decided to become a pastor and I'm going to be a pastor for the rest of my life and I'm going to be a pastor for in order to be kind of an agent of hope. It was important to me I think especially after losing both my parents at a young age that people understood that we have hope. I want to lift up hope." [17:51] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "For several weeks we surfed with a wax board called the gospel of Christ and we were able to surf the ocean of God's love with the help of the gospel of Mark and then the lectionary took a turn and had us switch over to surf on the gospel of John and that's where we've been in this bread of life discourse. The fins on these surfboards were ordinary words like bread and life but as we found out again in the children's time today they're packed with salty theological meaning about Christ himself being our bread." [38:40] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Faith can be complex as it is also easy, challenging as it is also comforting and sometimes elusive as it is freely offered to each and every one of us. Easy comforting and freely given yes and amen but also complex challenging and elusive yes and amen. Our response to the gospel our response to God's invitation to abide in him our response to the gospel our response to faith is simply to follow to keep on keeping on as my college pastor like to say walking with talking with learning from and emulating the one we call bread life shepherd and lord." [40:20] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Who is Jesus really? This isn't a question just put to Peter but it is one put to each of us this morning. Who is Jesus? Who is Jesus to you? Jesus asks this question more clearly perhaps in a comparative text that we find in Mark 8 if we go back to that surfboard verses 27 through 30 we hear Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Cesarea Philippi and on the way he asked his disciples who do people say that I am and they answered him John the Baptist and others Elijah and still others one of the prophets and he asked them but who do you say that I am and Peter answered him you are the Christ son of the living God." [42:12] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The church more than ever needs to ask for this renewal, for this revival, indeed for this resurrection, for this is the life that Jesus promised. This is the life that Jesus is. In our own tradition, we have questions for membership. Many of you may remember or you recall when we invite people into membership that there are a few questions that we need to answer. Who is your Lord and Savior? That's why we say Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. And then there's this question like, do you trust Jesus? And we answer in the affirmative. I do. Do you intend to be his disciple, to obey his word and to show his love? And just he said, do you stay or do you go? And like Peter, we say, I do." [44:11] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The one who is love, the one who knows you with an ancient knowing, the one who bids you to draw close to his heart, his ways, his purposes for you in this life, be with you. The one who says, abide in me, the one who says, follow closely, now and forever, the one who says, stay, be with you. May it be so. Amen." [52:49] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Go out into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted. Support the weak and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And all God's people said, amen." [57:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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