INTRO
In this scripture read this morning, Jesus asks a very pointed question: “Who am I?” It is a question that sounds like he has an identity complex. But the same question was asked about him at least 7 times in the Gospels. The question that we want to explore today is this: Who do we say that Jesus was?
HIS WORKERS’ REPORT
JOHN THE BAPTIST
“the people were...all wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he might be the Christ.” Luke 3:15
Both appeared suddenly with no advertisement or fanfare.
Both preached repentance for salvation (Matt. 3:2, 4:17).
Both practiced baptism (John 3:22-23).
John was a forerunner (Luke 3:4), Jesus was the Christ (Luke 4:17-21).
John performed no miracles, Jesus performed them regularly.
John saw Jesus as superior—”He must increase, but I must decrease”
ELIJAH
They both raised the dead (1 Kings 17:22, Matt. 9:25 & John 11:43)
They both gave food to the hungry (1 Kings 7:8-16, Mark 6:42)
Both controlled the weather (1 Kings 17:1, 18:38 and Mark 4:39)
Elijah identified God as the great and powerful God, and Jesus claimed Him as Father (Luke 2:49).
Elijah fled in the face of fear (1Kings 19:1-8), Jesus faced it (Luke 22:42)
JEREMIAH
Both were faithful to their message in spite of ridicule.
Both had an unusual anguish for the population.
Jesus did not condemn the policies of the day, but sin of the people.
Jesus did not bring a totally pessimistic message.
THE WORLD’S REPORT
MORMONS
Jesus was a preexistent spirit (but they believe that about anyone).
Jesus was a man who achieved great things.
He was not God.
“His humanity is to be recognized as real and ordinary—whatever happened to Him may happen to any one of us.” Sir Oliver Lodge in Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Jesus was a god (but not Almighty God). - Let God be True
Jesus was a created individual who is the second greatest personage in the Universe.—Make Sure of All Things
Jesus was not the only Son of God.
UNIFICATION CHURCH
“It is plain that Jesus is not God Himself.” - Divine Principle
Jesus value was no greater than that of you or me.
THE WAY INTERNATIONAL
“Jesus Christ’s existence began when he was conceived by God’s creating the soul-life of Jesus in Mary.” - The Word’s Way
MUSLIM
“Jesus was only a messenger of Allah.” - Surah 4:171 from the Koran
A sinless prophet who never achieved the greatness of Muhammed.
THE WORD’S REPORT
HE WAS AND IS THE ETERNAL GOD, CREATOR OF ALL THINGS
I and my Father are one. (John 10:30)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2)
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. (Col. 1:16)
SINCE HE CREATED ALL THINGS, THEN WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO HIM. ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT?
HE WAS AND IS SINLESS AND HOLY—WE ARE NOT.
He who sent me is with me...I always do the things that are pleasing to him. (John 8:29)
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow...Who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. (1Peter 2:21-22)
TELL THE STORY OF THE FALL OF MAN.
HE IS SINLESS AND WE ARE NOT, THAT PUTS US IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.
OUR SINFULNESS EARNS US DEATH, SEPARATION AND HELL
And the Lord God commanded man saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
And in Hades he lifted up his eyes being in torment and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)
Between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and none may cross over from there to us. (Luke 16:26)
The wages of sin is death… Romans 3:23
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell...And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. (2 Peter 2:4-6)
ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST’S SACRIFICE CAN WE OBTAIN SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22)
I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12)
WHAT IS YOUR REPORT (CLOSING/INVITATION)
WHO DO YOU SAY HE IS?
C.S. Lewis said “We are now faced with a frightening alternative. This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic or something worse.”
He is a lunatic, a great liar, one of many ways, just another truth, an alternative lifestyle...
He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
“Now it seems obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend; and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.” C.S. Lewis
