Jesus frequently posed thought-provoking questions that delved deep into the human condition. Questions like, "Why are you anxious?" "Why do you call me Lord?" and "Who do you say I am?" In this series, we'll look at some of the challenging questions Jesus asked others as we contemplate, search our hearts, and answer them for ourselves.
Who Do You Say I Am
Speakers
Josh Blount
Lead Pastor
Worship
Notes
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Jesus didn't ask questions because He was looking for information, His questions were an invitation to transformation.
Christ didn't inquire for information. His questions were posed not to gain knowledge but to expose it, and in exposing it, to transform the hearts of those who pondered.
A.W. Tozer
The questions Jesus asked were not about Him gaining information, they were asked so WE could gain information that would lead to transformation.
Questions are a doorway to self-awareness.
Mark 8:27
Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way He asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
To you, who is Jesus?
Who you say Jesus is will define who you are, how you live and where you end up for eternity.
Who people say Jesus is has a way of shaping who we say Jesus is.
The world may ask “Who is Jesus?” but the more important question is “Who is Jesus to you?” His identity demands a personal response that shapes your character, purpose, and eternity.
Francis Chan
Mark 8:14
The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
If you want to know who Jesus is you have to be with Him and pay attention.
In a world full of competing voices, Jesus calls us to be discerning. Watch out for the influences that can subtly distort your understanding of God's truth. The Pharisees and Herod represent false teachings that can taint your faith.
Tim Keller
If you want to know who Jesus is you have to spend time with Jesus!
If you want to understand who Jesus is, don't rely solely on others' perspectives. Dive into the Word, engage in prayer, and spend time with Jesus; that's where the revelation unfolds.
Mark 8:27
“Who do people say I am?” 8 “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
Matthew 11:11
Of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.
Not all the opinions of the world about Jesus are just outright bad; they just don’t really recognize who Jesus is.
Jesus doesn’t want to be significant in your life; He wants to be preeminent in your life.
Preeminent = He surpasses everything else.
I think that there are a good many points upon which I agree with Christ a great deal more than the professing Christians do. I do not know that I could go with him all the way, but I could go with him much further than most professing Christians can.
Atheist, Bertrand Russell
Mark 8:29
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
The Christos = the anointed Son of God”
Peter says, "Jesus, you're not just a significant man; you're the preeminent Lord."
Matthew 16:17
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
Jesus cannot be revealed as the Messiah to you through just a flesh-and-blood encounter
You can't know Jesus well just by reading books or listening to others. He is not revealed through second-hand information but through a direct encounter with Him. God, in His grace, unveils the reality of Christ to those who seek Him.
C.S. Lewis
The Bible is not just a book of information about God; it's a portal into a relationship with God.
God has chosen to reveal Himself through His Word. To truly know Him is to engage with the Scriptures, for there is no greater resource for a profound understanding of His nature and love.
A.W. Tozer
John 5:39
These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.
The Bible is the inspired and authoritative revelation of God's character and His redemptive work through Jesus Christ. It is the ultimate source for understanding who Jesus is.
R.C. Sproul
John 8:31
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Truth - alētheia = the revealed reality as taught by God and purposed through Jesus
Jesus says, if you get into my Word and remain in it, the revealed reality of God’s truth and purposes will be exposed to you and you will be free.
In moments of pain, what do you know about Jesus? Who do you personally know Jesus to be?
If the truth that you know isn’t setting you free, maybe it’s because you don’t really know the truth.
John 13:13
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
John 10:30
I and the Father are one.
John 14:6
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 11:25
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.
Jesus was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord. You must make your choice: either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
C.S. Lewis
To you, who is Jesus?
Jeremiah 29:12
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.