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WHO DO YOU SAY THAT JESUS IS?
OR WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?
MATTHEW 16:13-18
INTRODUCTION
Caesarea Philippi was a city that had a rich religious history. It had once been the center of Baal worship with at least fourteen temples in and around the city. It was believed to have within its borders the cavern in which the Greek god of nature, Pan, was born. In the beginning of its history the city was so identified with this god that it was named after the god, being called Panias. One of its most beautiful structures was the gleaming white marble temple built for the worship of Caesar. Herod the Great had built the temple in honor of Caesar when Caesar bestowed on him another country. But it was Herod’s son Philip who adorned the temple with the magnificence for which it was known world-wide. It was also Philip who changed the name of the city from Panias to Caesarea, which meant “Caesar’s town.” He added his own name also, calling the city Caesarea Philippi.
The city proclaimed far and wide the worship of Caesar and of the gods of one’s choice, that is, the worship of all except the One true and living God. It was much as it is today. Worship the god of your choice as long as the god of your choice is not exclusive, as long as he is tolerant of the other gods that others may want to worship. Is that not the problem that this world has with Christians and Christianity. We proclaim our God to be the only God. And He is. We proclaim our God to be intolerant of other gods. And He is.
It was against this dramatic yet terrible background that Jesus asked two pointed questions. He asked the questions after having been in prayer with his disciples according to Luke’s account in Luke 9:18.
I. THE FIRST QUESTION THAT JESUS ASKED WAS, “WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I THE SON OF MAN AM?”
A. Jesus had performed many wondrous works among the people.
1. He had healed many--the leper, the centurion’s servant, many others. 2. He had cast out demons--Gadarene demoniac.
3. He had performed other miracles--turned the water into wine, fed 5000 +, fed 4000+.
4. He had raised the dead--Jairus daughter.
B. Jesus had taught in the presence of the people.
1. He delivered the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples.
2. He delivered a scathing rebuke of the Pharisees hypocrisy and holding tradition above the Word of God.
3. He had taught in many parables.
C. Jesus really already knew who men said he was.
The question was not for Jesus to get information about who people thought He was. It was for the disciples benefit to reflect upon what people said
compared to who they saw Jesus to be.
II. THE FIRST QUESTION THAT JESUS ASKED IS A CRITICAL QUESTION THAT IS STILL RELEVANT FOR TODAY.
A. It Is A Question That Evoked Many Different Opinions. (Vs 14)
These popular opinions show that Christ was highly esteemed and greatly respected. In fact, He was considered one of the greatest of men. It should be noted that these opinions were not only untrue, but they were dangerous in that they contained only half truths. The result was tragic: people were deceived and misled by them.
1. Some Said That He Was John The Baptist.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus the Messiah. He had been put to death by Herod and some, including Herod, when they saw the might works of Christ, thought that John had come out of the grave.
(Mark 6:14-16)
2. Some Said That He Was Elijah.
This came from a prophecy in Malachi 4:5-6 predicting the forerunner of Messiah.
However, Jesus said that this prophecy was fulfilled in John The Baptist.
(Matthew 17:10-13)
Even today the Jews expect Elijah to return before The Messiah.
3. Some Said That He Was Jeremiah.
It had always been thought that Jeremiah was going to return to earth right before the Messiah and bring with him the tabernacle, ark, and altar of incense. He was said to have taken these and hid them in Mount Nebo right before he died according to the writings in the Apocryphal books.
4. Some Said That He Was One Of The Prophets.
They were professing Jesus to be a great prophet who had been sent for their day and time. He was thought to be one of the great prophets brought back to life or one in whom the spirit of a great prophet dwelt.
Deut. 18:15--The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Deut. 18:18--I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
5. These Were Not The Only Opinions That People Had About Christ But Were The Honorable Opinions Of Him.
The Pharisees thought that He was possessed by Satan. (Matthew 12:24)
B. The Opinions That Many Had Were Honorable Opinions Yet They Were Wrong.
1. Although many connected him with Messianic prophecy, none regarded Him properly as the Messiah.
2. It is possible for men to have good thoughts of Jesus, yet not have the right thoughts about Him.
3. It is possible to have a high opinion of Him, yet not have a high enough opinion.
C. The Same Question Evokes A Multitude Of Responses Today.
Who do men say that Jesus is?
1. The Atheist Responds That He Was Just Another Man.
The Bible and history clearly show that Jesus was more than just another man--there was something that was different about Jesus.
The atheist, however, is blinded to the truth.
He chooses not to believe despite multitudes of evidence proving
that there is a God and that Jesus was God in the flesh.
Psalm 14:1-- “The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.”
The person who lives life as if there is no God is a fool.
2. The Agnostic Responds That We Cannot Know Any More Than
That Jesus Was A Person In History.
The agnostic thinks it is impossible to know whether there is a God or
future life, or anything beyond the material world that we live in.
However, Jesus came to reveal unto us God the Father.
John 14:9-- “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.”
3. The Muslim Faith Believes He Was A Prophet.
In fact many Muslims have a higher view of Jesus than most who call themselves Christian.
4. Others Believe Him To Be A Good Man, A Religious Man, And A
Good Example. (They believe the same is true for Ghandi)
5. Some Give Lip Service To Who They Say He Is But There Lives Say
Something Entirely Different.
Luke 6:46-- “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
D. Who Men Say That Jesus Is Really Does Matter.
Samuel Smiles (1812-1904) said:
Sow a thought and you reap an act;
Sow an act and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit and you reap a character;
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
1. If He Is Who The Prophets Say He Is (And He Is) It Matters.
a. The Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14 (fulfilled in Jesus--Matthew 1:22-23)
Emmanuel--God with us.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (Mostly yet to be fulfilled)
Mighty God.
b. The Prophet Micah. Micah 5:2
(fulfilled in Jesus--Matthew 2:5-6 {wise men })
His goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
(Hebrew-- “The days of eternity”)
2. If He Is Who The Angels Say He Is (And He Is) It Matters.
a. The Angel That Appeared To Joseph. Matthew 1:18-23
The child that Mary bore was conceived of the Holy Ghost.
He would be the Saviour.
b. The Angel That Appeared To Mary. Luke 1:26-35
He would be called the Son of the Highest.
He was to be conceived of the Holy Ghost.
He would be called the Son of God.
3. If He Is Who He Claimed To Be (And He Is) It Matters.
a. John 14:6-- “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
b. John 3:18-- “He that believeth on Him is not condemned, but He that believeth not is condemned already.
4. If He Is Who The Centurion And They That Were With Him Said He Was (And He Is) It Matters.
Matthew 27:54--Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
E. What Men Think Of Jesus Will Determine Their Action Of Lack Of Action
With Regard To The Gospel And God.
John 8:24-- “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou?”
F. What Men Think Of Jesus Will Determine Their Destiny Because Of The Gospel.
III. THE SECOND QUESTION IS A MORE CRITICAL QUESTION IN YOUR LIFE
AS IT WAS IN THE LIFE OF THE DISCIPLES.
“But whom say ye that I am?”
“But who do you say that I am?”
CONCLUSION
It is not a question to be glossed over or taken lightly.
It is not a question to be delayed.
It is not a question we can put off indefinitely.
It is a question we will answer the same way that Peter did some day. Either here or before the
great white throne of judgment.
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!