Who Is This Jesus?

WHO IS THIS JESUS? (Outline)

September 7, 2008 --

PENTECOST 17 --

Mark 8:27-33

INTRO: Out walking you notice someone in the distance. As they come closer you recognize an ac-quaintance or a close friend. There is a feeling of joy at seeing your friend. A family member may call. You are happy to hear his/her voice on the other end of the line. When we hear a name mentioned in conversation we react. The early disciples preached about the name of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. It was a simple message that we still and always need to hear. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved"(ACTS 4:12). Jesus is the Way, and the Truth and the Life. Today we return to the basics of Christianity and the very foundation of our faith. We ask ourselves:

WHO IS THIS JESUS?

I. Identify this person.

II. Identify his purpose.

I. IDENTIFY THIS PERSON

A. Verse 27 describes where Jesus is going. Caesarea Philippi is 30 miles north of Capernaum.

1. Capernaum was the northwest coastal town on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus did ministry.

2. Jesus asks his disciples what the popular opinion of the people is concerning him.

B. Verse 28. The public opinion of Jesus is very, very favorable. They compare Jesus to great men.

1. John the Baptist the great prophet of the day. Elijah the great prophet of the Old Testament.

2. Many felt both of these men would return some day. Or may be Jesus is another prophet.

C. Verse 29a. Jesus is concerned what his disciples think. “What do YOU think?” Jesus asks them.

1. Verse 29b. Peter responds with the correct title, the Christ. Jesus is the Messiah (Christ).

2. Jesus is the anointed (Messiah = OT / Christ = NT). The Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter.

3. Verse 30. They are to remain quiet. The time for Jesus’ death had not yet come.

D. Who is this Jesus? Today many would have different opinions about Jesus. Even the non-Christian religions look at Jesus as good. Muslims recognize Jesus as a prophet. Buddhists would agree that Jesus was a man who lived a good life. These are all worldly opinions of the man Jesus. To confess that Jesus was God’s Son, well—that takes faith. It was the challenge that Jesus faced all of his life. After all the Savior of mankind did not look any different than the people of his day. Even after doing miracles Jesus’ divinity was challenged. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary…?"(MATTHEW 13:54b, 55a). The divinity of Jesus is still under attack in our day and age. Though often denied this Jesus is true Man and true God.

E. Scripture is clear about teaching that the Christ is God’s Son. As God’s Son Jesus lived a life that was without sin. As the Son of Mary and Joseph Jesus was able to die on the cross. Humanly or reasonably thinking this can be a difficult teaching to comprehend. By grace the Holy Spirit plants the word of God in our hearts so that we know and believe this Jesus is the Son of man and the Son of God. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time"(1 TIMOTHY 2:5,6). Note that the death (testimony) of Jesus was given in its proper time—God’s time according to his will. Jesus is the one God and man.

F. Who is this Jesus? This is the most important question that anyone will ever have to answer in his lifetime. This is a question that takes faith to answer correctly and confidently. Praise God that he is the one who works this faith in our hearts and lives to boldly confess that this Jesus is my Savior, the Savior of mankind. "That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved"(ROMANS 10:9,10).

WHO IS THIS JESUS?

This Jesus is true Man and true God.

This Jesus is the Lord.

This Jesus is my Savior and the Savior of mankind.

The Holy Spirit reveals this truth to us in his word.

II. IDENTIFY HIS PURPOSE

A. Verse 30. Jesus reminds the disciples not to tell anyone. Jesus does not need angry enemies yet.

1. The disciples still did not truly understand the mission of the Christ, his purpose.