Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Three Questions

Devotional

Day 1: Rocks and Revelation

Jesus stood at Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by carvings of Pan and Zeus. His disciples sweated in the shadow of false gods. “Who do people say I am?” He asked. Peter’s answer cut through the pagan noise: “You are the Messiah, Son of the living God.” Jesus smiled. Not flesh and blood, but the Father Himself had revealed this truth. The same rock that held dead gods would anchor His living Church. [11:28]

Jesus chose contested ground to declare His identity. Amid competing claims, He remains the only foundation that outlasts empires and ideologies. Peter’s confession wasn’t theology—it was survival. When we name Christ as Lord, we plant our feet on rock that earthquakes can’t shake.

You face daily altars—careers, relationships, fears—that demand your worship. What false “gods” whisper for your loyalty? Name one area where you’ve felt pressured to compromise. How might declaring “Jesus is Lord” here change your footing?

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”
(Matthew 16:13-16, NIV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to reveal Himself clearly in the “Caesarea Philippi” areas of your life—places where other “gods” compete for your trust.

Challenge: Write the three questions (“Who do you believe Jesus is?” “Where did you learn that?” “Have you checked His claims?”) on a sticky note. Place it where you’ll see it daily.

Day 2: Done Versus Do

Religions stack rules like bricks: pray five times, achieve enlightenment, earn karma. Jesus walked dusty roads offering water to the guilty. “I give what you don’t deserve,” He told the woman at the well. Grace flowed where laws had dried her soul. Pharisees scowled; sinners drank deeply. [17:50]

Jesus didn’t come to start another religion. He ended humanity’s striving by becoming the final sacrifice. Every other path says “do.” The cross says “done.” Your resume of good deeds can’t climb to heaven—but His scarred hands pull you up.

How often do you slip into “religious mode”—checking boxes to feel holy? Identify one habit (Bible reading, serving) you’ve turned into a merit badge. What would it look like to do it today purely because Jesus already approves you?

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
(John 1:17, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one way you’ve tried to earn God’s favor. Thank Him for the finished work of the cross.

Challenge: Text a Christian friend: “Remind me—we’re saved by grace, not works.” Discuss responses.

Day 3: “I Am” in the Storm

Pharisees circled Jesus like vultures. “How dare you claim to be God?” they hissed. He didn’t flinch. “Before Abraham was born, I AM!” The Name that split the Red Sea now split opinions. Stones flew—but He walked through them. His claim wasn’t metaphor. It was meteor. [26:29]

Jesus’ divinity isn’t a nice idea—it’s the axis of history. If He’s not God, His death is tragedy. If He is, it’s triumph. Your doubts don’t diminish His “I AM.” Even storms obey the Man who named Himself Yahweh.

Where are you tempted to reduce Jesus to teacher or therapist? What current struggle—a diagnosis, betrayal—requires trusting His “I AM” power rather than just His advice?

“I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?’ ‘We are not stoning you for any good work,’ they replied, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’”
(John 10:30-33, NIV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for specific ways He’s shown His deity in your life—protection, provision, or unexplainable peace.

Challenge: Read John 10 aloud tonight. Underline every “I am” statement.

Day 4: The Wrong Wedding

A groom’s friends burst into the wrong ceremony, hungry for cake. Jesus chuckled but turned serious: “I’m the only Way.” Not a path—the Person. He didn’t say “a truth” but “the Truth.” In a world of Google answers, He’s the final click. [29:22]

Truth isn’t cruel—it’s kind. Imagine letting those wedding crashers keep eating, never telling them the real bride waited elsewhere. Jesus’ exclusivity isn’t arrogance—it’s rescue. All roads don’t lead Home; only His wounds do.

Who in your life believes “all religions are the same”? How could you gently ask, “Have you actually compared Jesus’ claims to others?” instead of debating?

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
(John 14:6, NIV)

Prayer: Ask for courage to lovingly share Jesus’ exclusive claim with someone this week.

Challenge: Invite a non-Christian friend to read one Gospel chapter with you—no strings attached.

Day 5: Hands in the Pit

A man wallowed in mud, religions tossing ropes that snapped. Jesus jumped in, muck coating His robes. “Grab My hands,” He said, scars gleaming. The man protested, “I’m too dirty!” Jesus laughed, “These holes? For this.” He lifted him to solid ground. [39:24]

You can’t climb out. You can’t meditate, donate, or karma your way up. Christ’s resurrection power isn’t a ladder—it’s a lift. Your job isn’t to strain, but to stretch empty hands. His grip never slips.

What “pit” have you been trying to escape through self-effort? Shame? Addiction? Perfectionism? What would it look like today to stop climbing and cry, “Jesus, lift me!”?

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11, NIV)

Prayer: Name one area where you’re striving. Ask Jesus to do what you can’t.

Challenge: Write “Foundation: Jesus” on your palm. Each time you see it, release a worry to Him.

Sermon Summary

A clear, compassionate approach to sharing faith centers on asking questions, listening, and pointing people to who Jesus claimed to be. The content contrasts pushy, judgmental evangelism with Jesus style engagement that respects people and invites dialogue. It emphasizes three simple questions to keep conversations honest, humble, and Spirit-led: Who do you believe Jesus is? Where did you learn that from? Have you ever checked what Jesus says about himself? These questions create space for mutual exploration, remove superiority, and allow the Holy Spirit to convict and reveal.

The material sets Jesus apart from religion by highlighting key differences: religion asks humans to earn or appease, while Jesus offers grace already done on behalf of sinners. The teaching explains that Jesus uniquely claims deity, pointing to explicit biblical assertions and the historic responses that led opponents to accuse him of blasphemy. Historical evidence and contemporary witnesses who investigated Jesus are offered as supports for taking the question seriously rather than reducing Jesus to merely a moral teacher.

Practical examples show how to move from surface labels to deeper discovery. Asking where someone learned their view exposes sources and opens the door to reexamination. Inviting people to read Jesus words, such as I am the way, truth, and life, encourages honest reckoning with his claims. The work of evangelism requires being filled with the Spirit, praying for those being reached, and helping people find Jesus rather than defending institutions. The invitation culminates in a direct call to trust Jesus for rescue and restoration, portraying salvation as a gift that lifts people out of the pit and onto a firm foundation for life now and eternity.

Key Takeaways

1. Three respectful evangelism questions These three simple questions create a posture of curiosity and care, not debate. Asking who someone believes Jesus is, where they learned that, and whether they have checked Jesus words draws out heart-level commitments and opens room for the Spirit to move. Memorizing and using them prevents a tone of superiority and keeps the conversation mutual and honest. They position both parties as seekers rather than winners and losers. [07:25]
2. Jesus differs from religion Religion typically asks humans to earn favor; Jesus says God acted on behalf of humanity. This distinction reframes the spiritual life from self-striving to receiving a gift of grace that cleanses and restores. Seeing this difference helps one evaluate religious systems without dismissing the genuine devotion of their adherents. It invites a response to what God has already done rather than another checklist. [16:37]
3. Check Jesus by his own claims Invite honest study of Jesus statements about himself instead of secondhand summaries. When Jesus says I am the way, the truth, and the life, the claim demands serious attention because it excludes easy pluralism and calls for personal reckoning. Reading his words together fosters shared discovery and testable truth, not slogans. This step moves conversation from abstraction to concrete gospel truth. [28:17]
4. Depend on the Holy Spirit Intellectual evidence matters, but the Spirit enables someone to call Jesus Lord. Evangelism that combines honest evidence with prayerful dependence on the Spirit invites transformation rather than mere assent. Expectation of Spirit-led confession keeps humility and reliance on God central to the process. This reliance shapes evangelism as partnership with God, not persuasion alone. [37:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Next Gen ministry and affirmation
[01:12] - Youth worship in London
[01:52] - Remembering the Jesus Revolution
[03:53] - Critique of pushy evangelism
[07:25] - Introducing three key questions
[08:00] - Questions create space for the Spirit
[13:41] - Question 1: Who is Jesus?
[16:37] - How Jesus differs from religion
[22:03] - Question 2: Where did you learn that?
[25:42] - Question 3: Have you checked Jesus?
[26:29] - Jesus claims deity in John 10
[39:24] - The pit illustration and rescue
[40:23] - Invitation and prayer decision
[42:07] - Closing thanks and affirmation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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.”

John 10:30 (ESV)
“I and the Father are one.”

Observation Questions

What three questions are suggested for starting conversations about Jesus, and how do they create space for mutual exploration? [07:25]
How does the sermon contrast Jesus with other religions, particularly regarding grace versus self-effort? [16:37]
What historical and biblical evidence does the sermon highlight to support Jesus’ claim to deity? [26:29]
According to the sermon, why is it important to ask someone, “Where did you learn that from?” when discussing their beliefs about Jesus? [22:03]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus’ statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) demand a personal response rather than passive agreement? [28:17]
How does the metaphor of the pit (where Jesus rescues someone instead of offering advice) clarify the difference between religion and Jesus’ offer of grace? [39:24]
The sermon argues that Jesus’ claims leave no room for viewing him as merely a moral teacher. How does C.S. Lewis’ “liar, lunatic, or Lord” framework support this? [30:42]
Why is relying on the Holy Spirit essential in evangelism, even when presenting evidence about Jesus? [37:25]

Application Questions

Think of a recent conversation where someone shared their beliefs about spirituality. How could you gently ask, “Who do you believe Jesus is?” without sounding confrontational?
Are there areas in your life where you still approach faith as a “religion” (self-effort) rather than receiving grace? What practical step could help you rest in what Jesus has already done? [16:37]
This week, invite someone to read Jesus’ words in John 10:30 or John 14:6 with you. What questions might you ask them afterward to explore His claims together?
How can you intentionally depend on the Holy Spirit this week when sharing your faith—through prayer, listening, or surrendering outcomes to God? [37:25]
Reflect on a time you felt “stuck in a pit” (guilt, shame, doubt). How does Jesus’ rescue contrast with advice other worldviews might offer?
Is there someone in your life whose view of Jesus comes from secondhand sources (e.g., media, family)? How could you lovingly invite them to read Jesus’ own words with you? [25:42]
When sharing your faith, do you default to debating or listening? What habit could you build to prioritize curiosity over persuasion? [07:25]

Sermon Clips

34s

#JesusRescues

“``Jesus Christ came by and said, it doesn't matter how you got down into that pit. I came to get you out. Take a hold of my nail scarred hand because I died for all that will keep you in that pit, and I died so you could be free from it. I I lift you up out of the pit, and I set your feet on a firm foundation so that you can have me with you in this life, and you can do life with me for all of eternity. Oh, someone should say, hallelujah to Jesus. Hallelujah, Lord.”

26s

#JesusRestores

“And if you wanna find your way to God, I I'm telling you, you can trust me. I love you. I'll do whatever it takes to see you restored to God and have eternal life with him. And how many understand? Jesus is the only one that has done for humans what can cleanse us from our past and open up the way into eternal life in the future. So so he's just saying, hey. I tell people sometimes, they'll say, you know what? No one else is coming for you.”

35s

#JesusNotReligion

“And Jesus, when he says he's the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the father's servant. He says, I want you to find the right location for who you wanna be with, for what your heart is longing for. It's not a case of of just being at a wedding. You wanna be at the right one. Do you see that? And Jesus is not saying, my religion that I came to give humanity is better than other religions. He's not saying that. He he he's saying, I I'm I'm not a religion. I'm God coming to find you.”

37s

#GraceNotKarma

“Very admirable, but it's but it's you you gaining the right to be religious enough to get to God. And then most religions are based around the karma principle. Karma says, you get what you deserve. Guess what Jesus says? I give you what you don't deserve. It's called grace. Do you see the difference? Just so so contrasting. And then the afterlife, you know, Buddhism, the best you could ever hope to happen to you is to go into a state of nirvana. And I studied it. Do know what nirvana is? It's where you stop existing.”

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Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Three Questions

Devotional

Day 1: Rocks and Revelation

Day 2: Done Versus Do

Day 3: “I Am” in the Storm

Day 4: The Wrong Wedding

Day 5: Hands in the Pit

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Who Do You Say Jesus Is? Three Questions

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