Who Do You Say That I Am?

 

Summary

In today's reflection on the Gospel of Luke, we delve into one of the most profound questions posed by Jesus: "Who do you say that I am?" This question, asked to His disciples, is not just a historical inquiry but a personal challenge to each of us today. It demands a response that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgment to a heartfelt confession of faith. Peter's declaration that Jesus is "the Christ of God" is a pivotal moment, yet it is followed by Jesus' sobering prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection. This juxtaposition highlights the paradox of the Christian journey: to follow Christ is to embrace both His glory and His cross.

The narrative invites us to examine our own understanding of Jesus. Is He merely a historical figure, a moral teacher, or truly the Son of God? This question is not just academic; it has eternal implications. Our response determines our willingness to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This path of discipleship is not about self-preservation but about losing our lives for Christ's sake to truly find them. It challenges us to consider what we value most and what we are willing to exchange for our souls.

The sermon also touches on the reality of a "mixed body" within the church, where true believers and those who merely profess faith coexist. It is a call to self-examination and assurance of salvation, urging us to ensure that our faith is genuine and transformative. The warning against being ashamed of Christ is a stark reminder of the cost of discipleship and the ultimate reward of being acknowledged by Him before the Father.

Key Takeaways:

- The question "Who do you say that I am?" is central to our faith journey. It requires us to move beyond intellectual assent to a personal and transformative relationship with Jesus as the Son of God. This understanding is not just a matter of knowledge but of deep affection and commitment. [02:50]

- True discipleship involves self-denial and daily cross-bearing. It is a call to prioritize Christ above all else, even when it means enduring suffering or humiliation. This path leads to true life and fulfillment, as losing our lives for Christ's sake is the way to truly find them. [22:50]

- The church is a "mixed body" where true believers and mere professors coexist. This reality calls for self-examination and assurance of salvation, ensuring that our faith is genuine and not just lip service. We must strive to make our calling and election sure. [15:39]

- The paradox of gaining the world but losing one's soul challenges us to evaluate our priorities. What we value most reveals where our heart truly lies. The eternal worth of our soul far surpasses any worldly gain, and we must guard against trading it for temporary pleasures. [28:00]

- Being unashamed of Christ is crucial for our eternal standing. Our willingness to confess Him before others reflects our true allegiance. In turn, Jesus promises to acknowledge us before the Father, a profound assurance for those who boldly live out their faith. [29:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Luke 9:18-26
[00:44] - Jesus' Question to the Disciples
[01:21] - The Cost of Discipleship
[02:15] - The Significance of Peter's Confession
[03:09] - Embracing the Truth of God's Word
[04:43] - Herod's Fear and the Identity of Jesus
[06:42] - Public Perception vs. Personal Belief
[08:14] - A Personal Encounter and Unexpected Confession
[12:20] - Intellectual Belief vs. Heartfelt Faith
[15:24] - The Mixed Body of the Church
[17:23] - Assurance of Salvation
[19:32] - Jesus' Prediction of Suffering
[22:32] - The Call to Follow Christ
[27:10] - The Paradox of Losing and Finding Life
[29:47] - The Warning Against Being Ashamed of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:18-26

Observation Questions:
1. What were the different opinions people had about Jesus' identity according to the disciples? [00:44]
2. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" and what was Jesus' reaction to his response? [01:03]
3. What did Jesus predict would happen to Him after Peter's confession? [01:21]
4. What does Jesus say is required of anyone who desires to follow Him? [22:50]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have asked His disciples about the public's opinion of Him before asking for their personal belief? [06:20]
2. How does the concept of self-denial and daily cross-bearing challenge common perceptions of what it means to follow Jesus? [23:08]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the difference between intellectual belief and heartfelt faith? [12:20]
4. How does the idea of a "mixed body" within the church impact the way we view our own faith and the faith of others? [15:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal answer to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" How does this belief influence your daily life and decisions? [02:50]
2. In what ways can you practice self-denial and take up your cross daily in your current circumstances? What specific actions can you take this week? [22:50]
3. Consider the things you value most in life. Are there any areas where you might be prioritizing worldly gains over your spiritual well-being? How can you realign your priorities? [28:00]
4. How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and not just lip service? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ? [15:39]
5. Have you ever felt ashamed to confess your faith in Christ? What can you do to boldly live out your faith in your community? [29:47]
6. Think about someone in your life who might be part of the "mixed body" within the church. How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey? [15:39]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you are not trading your soul for temporary pleasures? How can you focus on the eternal worth of your soul? [28:00]

Devotional

Day 1: The Heartfelt Confession of Faith
The question "Who do you say that I am?" posed by Jesus to His disciples is a profound invitation to each of us to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus as a historical figure or moral teacher. It calls us to a personal and transformative relationship with Him as the Son of God. This understanding is not just a matter of knowledge but of deep affection and commitment. Our response to this question has eternal implications, as it determines our willingness to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This path of discipleship is about losing our lives for Christ's sake to truly find them, challenging us to consider what we value most and what we are willing to exchange for our souls. [02:50]

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: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus today, moving beyond intellectual belief to heartfelt faith?


Day 2: The Cost of True Discipleship
True discipleship involves self-denial and daily cross-bearing. It is a call to prioritize Christ above all else, even when it means enduring suffering or humiliation. This path leads to true life and fulfillment, as losing our lives for Christ's sake is the way to truly find them. The paradox of the Christian journey is that in losing ourselves, we find our true identity and purpose in Christ. This requires a daily commitment to follow Him, embracing both His glory and His cross. It challenges us to evaluate our priorities and what we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. [22:50]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can practice self-denial today for the sake of following Christ more closely?


Day 3: The Mixed Body of the Church
The church is a "mixed body" where true believers and mere professors coexist. This reality calls for self-examination and assurance of salvation, ensuring that our faith is genuine and not just lip service. We must strive to make our calling and election sure, examining our hearts to see if we are truly living out our faith in a transformative way. This involves a commitment to personal growth and accountability within the community of believers, as we seek to live lives that reflect the character and love of Christ. [15:39]

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: How can you engage in self-examination today to ensure that your faith is genuine and transformative?


Day 4: The Eternal Worth of the Soul
The paradox of gaining the world but losing one's soul challenges us to evaluate our priorities. What we value most reveals where our heart truly lies. The eternal worth of our soul far surpasses any worldly gain, and we must guard against trading it for temporary pleasures. This calls us to a life of intentionality, where we focus on what truly matters and invest in our spiritual growth and relationship with God. It is a reminder that our ultimate reward is not found in earthly success but in our eternal standing with Christ. [28:00]

Mark 8:36-37 (ESV): "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?"

Reflection: What is one worldly pursuit you can let go of today to focus more on the eternal value of your soul?


Day 5: Unashamed Allegiance to Christ
Being unashamed of Christ is crucial for our eternal standing. Our willingness to confess Him before others reflects our true allegiance. In turn, Jesus promises to acknowledge us before the Father, a profound assurance for those who boldly live out their faith. This calls us to live with courage and conviction, unashamed of the Gospel and the transformative power of Christ in our lives. It challenges us to be vocal about our faith, sharing the hope we have in Jesus with those around us, regardless of the cost. [29:47]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: How can you boldly share your faith with someone today, demonstrating your unashamed allegiance to Christ?

Quotes


And it happened as he was alone praying that his disciples joined him and he asked them saying who do the crowds say that I am so they answered and said John the Baptist but some say Elijah and others say that one of the old prophets has arisen again he said to them but who do you say that I am and Peter answered and said the Christ of God. [00:30:31]

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it for what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost for whoever is ashamed of me and my words of him the son of man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and to his fathers and of the Holy Angels. [00:100:28]

I ask that you would acknowledge that what you've heard in the reading of this word is nothing less than the truth of almighty God and I urge you to embrace it as such let us pray father and our God you have called us here today in solemn assembly to attend the teaching of the Apostles to be in prayer together to offer to you the sacrifice of praise and adoration to sing to your glory and now oh God to hear your word. [00:183:68]

I assumed that every sensient adult in this country has at least enough information about Jesus if from no other source but from those messages that come across through the extended Christmas season each year so that every adult person in this country certainly has by now formed some opinion as to the identity of Jesus and I was wondering what is that identity that they've assumed what do they think about Jesus. [00:417:88]

I encountered a friend the other day who I have known for many years and I would have to describe him in the following manner he's a man who wouldn't be caught dead in a church building unless he were coming to pay his last respects to one of his friends who had died the only time I think I've ever seen him in church is for a funeral he's a man who's one of the most profane men that I know whose vocabulary is regularly laced with blasphemies. [00:494:32]

I said to him candidly and I said Burke uh the devil made me do it uh now I said to him I said you know I have a sermon this Sunday and I I'll ask you to give me some help on it and he was a little bit surprised that I was seeking information for my sermon from him but I said I'm speaking on this passage where people were asked their opinion of Jesus and I said to him as I've said to you already I know that everybody in this country has some opinion of Jesus. [00:573:64]

He said I'm going to have to think about it so I said fair enough so about 4 hours later I saw him and I said have you thought about the question I asked you and he said actually he says I've thought about very little else in the last few hours and I have come to a conclusion as to what I think about Jesus and I said well what do you think of him and he looked at me and he said I think he said I think that he's the son of God that God sent into the world. [00:647:96]

I began to wonder how many people out there have that same contradictory understanding of Jesus intellectually while their hearts are so far removed from him and then of course I began to think of the precious people whom I love so dearly who make up this congregation and thought again of the great St Augustine's definition of the church as a corpus per mixtum a mixed body Augustine was simply reflecting on the teaching of Jesus himself who said among the assembly there will always be tears among the week there will be the unconverted among the converted. [00:903:36]

I know that the scriptures tell me that I am called to make my calling sure that the Assurance of Salvation is a real possibility and not only a possibility but an obligation for every Christian and so before I go on in this text let me ask you who do you think he is and add the question I always ask to that and what difference does it make to you if Jesus is the son of God and he is that he is supremely worthy of our Adoration of our worship and of our devotion to him with our whole heart and soul. [00:1026:04]

If anyone desires to come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me maybe it's that part that people who come to the conclusion that intellect that Jesus is the son of God that they don't want to hear they don't want to embrace the consequences that Jesus sets forth if anyone desires to come after me let him deny himself you know when it comes right down to it you either deny Christ and follow yourself or you deny yourself and follow Christ because you can't follow Christ and yourself. [00:1363:60]

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it in one sense beloved to be a Christian is to have a throw away life at least that's the appearance that if I'm going to be a Christian I have to throw away my life but to throw a away my life for Christ is to find my life forever for what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost. [00:1634:96]

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words of him the son of man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in his father's and of the Holy Angels and by the grace of God I F finish the text all the way to verse 26 what a sober warning that is from Jesus if I confess him before men he will confess me before his father if I say to my friends I love Jesus I believe Jesus is the son of God and prepared to follow him at whatever cost it is if I say that and mean that and do that then Jesus will say to the father I love RC he's mine. [00:1772:24]

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Transcript
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