Who Is Jesus

Introduction

Matthew 16:13-18

Jesus takes them to Caesarea, Philippi. Where is this place? 25 miles away and 1700 ft uphill. Jesus takes them out of Jew Country and into sinner’s country. Out of Church and into the reality of the world.

Who do the people say the Son of Man is? Third person tense?

Why does Jesus ask that question in the third person? Why doesn’t he say who do the people say I am?

Jesus here is asking how people see God. What is the preconceived idea of who Jesus is? Not just here in sinner country but everywhere.

Some say you're John the Baptist, some Elijah or the other prophets.

People try to define Jesus to what they know and in doing so limit who he is. They can’t explain the supernatural in natural terms so they shrink him down to something they can comprehend and as a result end up with a faulty view of who Jesus is?

Who do you say I am? He personalises it here. No longer is Jesus asking his disciple who the people say God is, but who do they say HE is?

Who do we say Jesus Is?

So who is Jesus?

Jesus is so many different things to so many different people.

Who is Jesus to you?

Rock Star Jesus

Mark 10:17-21 the rich young man

People who serve Cool Jesus love church and are passionate about the things of God, but find it difficult to take on the responsibilities of Following Jesus. Getting their hands dirty and serving where there is a need.

Piñata Jesus

Luke 17:11-18

People who serve piñata Jesus have need, and because of that need press into God, but once God has come through for them, then they go on their merry way, until another crisis arises. Then its help me Jesus.

Monopoly Jesus / James Bond Jesus

Romans 5:20

Pass ‘Go’ and collect $200 with a get out of jail free card.

These people use Grace as like licence to sin. His Grace is sufficient, yes for us to grow into knowledge of him and his strength not how many times we can stuff up. These people need to be humble and recognise their weakness rather than with pride boast in grace.

Buffet Jesus

Galatians 1:6-10

Those who come and pick and choose what they want from Jesus and discard what they don’t want or like?

They follow what they want and the others stuff they dismiss or ignore. It produces immature, unbalanced Christianity. These people need to embrace the whole gospel and seek all of Jesus.

Who was Jesus to Peter?

You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Blessed are you Peter. Because this was not revealed to you by man, but by my father in heaven.

The Jesus that Peter knew had nothing to do with what was popular, or how much need was in his life at the time. To Peter, He was Jesus, above and beyond all circumstance, beyond the carnal things of this world. Not affected or influenced by this world but sovereign and high and exalted.

Based upon this pure revelation, this pure relationship, Jesus said it will be upon this that I will build my church.

The church will be built upon people who are completely sold out for God for no other reason than he is lovely and wonderful and that he saved them and that He reigns above all.

Do you want to be a person who builds God’s church? Then where are you at with Jesus?

How do you see Jesus?