It is always a pleasure to open our Bibles to see what God has to say to us. I pray this morning that he will speak to each of us about increasing our Faith in Jesus.
I invite you to open your Bibles to the book of Matthew 16:13-20.
When I was little, I was taught by my parents to always bring your Bible to church. The Bible is the textbook for living and most appropriately the textbook for the church—so I invite you to always bring your Bible to chapel where the word is preached.
This morning, we are looking at a conversation between Jesus and his disciples about the rumors that are going around regarding him.
One of the biggest problems in the church, in any military unit, and in any community is gossip. The Bible says
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. (Pr. 20:19, ESV)
One of the results of gossip is the existence of rumors. Rumors can tear down morale. Rumors can become a stumbling block. Rumors can cause stress.
And rumors can hurt people—spiritually as well as emotionally.
Where were you when you heard your last rumor? Was it this morning? Was it yesterday?
We hear rumors so frequently many times we have a hard time distinguishing fact from fiction.
This is what Jesus is dealing with. He is dealing with rumors.
He understands the rumors and takes time to address them with his closest friends in order to teach them what is true.
I believe this very act shows Jesus as a leader, understanding all that impacts his followers, and then addressing them before they get out of hand.
There were many different rumors going around about who Christ was. They all focused on his identity. The people around him didn’t know what to do with him.
Just as people do not know what to do with him today.
We constantly here talk about who Jesus is: There is the Historical Jesus, there is the Prophet Jesus, and there is the Teacher Jesus.
What are you going to do about these rumors when you hear them? Are they true? Are they complete? Do you have an answer?
This morning, we are going to walk through this conversation between Jesus and his disciples to see what they say about Jesus. These were the men who walked with Jesus every day. These were the ones who knew him best.
Let’s look at what they said.
We begin by examining the Question from Jesus.
Matthew 16: 13 says;
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Mt. 16:13, ESV)
Jesus senses that people are talking about him. How could they not talk about him? He is a great teacher; he performs miracles; and he stops the Pharisees questions in their tracks.
Jesus was a man who generated much discussion.
So as any good leader will do, he stops his followers and takes a moment to listen to the rumors.
I saw my Battalion Commander do this many times when we were down range. While we were in Iraq, there were always rumors flying around.
Rumors about the Battalion being extended. Rumors about the Battalion moving to another location. Or rumors referring to dignitaries visiting. A good leader always keeps his eyes on the rumors and seeks to answer them.
So Jesus stops and asks; “What are they saying about me?”
I was reading recently a New York Times article about Aleksandr A. Oslon, president of the Public Opinion Foundation. Mr. Olsen has delivered weekly briefings at the Kremlin for 15 years regarding the public opinion of the Russian people.
Mr. Oslon’s company seeks to spot dips in public opinion, or collapsing support for appointed regional leaders, before they develop into a serious problem for the Kremlin.
“Polls are a channel for feedback,” Mr. Oslon said.
The Russian government is very concerned, the article says, about what the people are thinking about their ability to govern.
They what to know what the people think in order to set the record straight, or chage their governing style to match the needs of the people.
Mr Olsen says;
“It’s the same as in the world of finance — if there is information that the dollar is falling, the central bank takes measures to stop that fall. They start to buy up the dollar so that it increases. It’s the same in politics.”
And it this is what Jesus is doing—and to some degree is what we should be doing in our everyday life and witness.
While we don’t want to live by the polls—adjusting our stand to every whim that blows by—we need to be very aware of what the people around us are saying about Jesus.
And very lovingly and patiently, we need to strive to set the record straight through how we react to others, how we respect other peoples opinion, and in how we describe our Savior.
1 Peter 3:14-15 says;
…always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (I Pt. 3:15, ESV)
We need to keep our eyes and ears open for opportunities to answer the question about who Jesus is.
Now, what theories were out there?
Matthew 16: 14 says;
14 And [the disciples] said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Mt. 16:14-15, ESV)
In John’s gospel, Jesus addressed theories about him as well.
John 7:12, says;
12 And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” 13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. (Jn 7:12-13, ESV)
In this fallen world, we are always going to hear misleading statements about Christ.
Many times, these are from people who actually believe what they say is true—they are sincere. They want to sound respectful and say that he was a prophet or a great teacher. But, they stay away for calling him savior or Lord.
Some go the other route and blaspheme his name. Some are ignorant of who he is completely—he was just a myth—a story from long ago.
I think it is interesting that John mentioned that
“… for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.” (Jn 7:13, ESV)
People never change! Are we still not speaking openly about Christ because of fear? I believe it happens all of the time!
We may not fear the Jewish religious leaders of the day—but we certainly fear what public opinion may say; we fear what our friends might think; or we fear that we won’t be able to back up any rebuttal that may return.
We need to know what we believe about Jesus, so that we aren’t swayed by false teaching. There is too much false teaching out there; we must know what we believe so that we won’t waste our time following a lie.
This is why Bible Study is critical for your growth as a Christian. Are you spending adequate time in Bible Study?
I often tell Soldiers regarding marriage training that we spend 20 weeks to train you to do a job for six years, but we do no training for what we will do for 24 hours a day for the rest of your life.
The same is true for Bible Study. We don’t spend near enough time studying the scriptures. If we did, we wouldn’t have the numerous misunderstandings about Bible facts and theology than we do.
We must study the scriptures and know who the true Jesus is; as well as his teaching.
And knowing what the Bible teaches and allowing God to speak through that teaching leads us to know the answers when we are asked; “What do you say Jesus is”.
Look with me at verse 16;
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Mt. 16:15-17, ESV)
Peter had the right answer. He had watched Jesus. He had listened to Jesus. He thought it all out. He prayed. He listened to what God was saying. And he got it right.
I find it interesting to note that Jesus acknowledges that Peter did not come to the idea the Jesus was the “Son of God” by being told from someone or through studying.
As important as studying the scriptures is; we must always understand that faith and acceptance is not revealed through “flesh and bone” but from God in heaven.
This is the mystery of faith. In this modern age of science and knowledge, we put emphasis on knowledge and how much we know. A right and faithful understanding of scripture is vital to a Christian walk that you are not being pulled away.
However, we need a renewed sense of belief in the spiritual; those things that are unseen and unproven my scientific means. We need to increase our faith!
We need to take our knowledge that we gather from the scripture and truly believe what it says.
Several years ago, through my prayer time and study, I had what was to me a revolutionary thought.
I asked myself; “What if all of this Bible were true?”
Now, I believed the Bible as historical fact and had faith that Jesus had paid the penalty for my sin.
But, I looked at the empty tomb and asked myself—“What if he really did rise from the dead? How would my life be different?”
It was a revolutionary moment for me in than I came to grips with the fact that I could say all day that I believe it, until I apply that knowledge of faith to my life—my life would be no different.
But, if I began to live my life as if Jesus really did died on a cross to pay the penalty of my sin;
If I began to live my life as if Jesus really did heal the sick and make the lame to walk;
If I really began to live my life as if Jesus really was returning to Earth one day to establish His kingdom;
How would my life be different?
How would your life be different?
Peter correctly responded to Jesus question because of his faith, not of his intellect. He correctly acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God. And from that faith Jesus says;
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt. 16:18, ESV)
So, this morning, I ask you this question;
Who do say Jesus is?
Is he just a good teacher?
Is he just a prophet?
Or is he the Son of God—who died for our sin, rose for our justification, and will return for his church?
This is an answer that doesn’t come from a book—but it is an answer based on faith.
This answer, however, is your key to eternity.
The Bible says;
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16, ESV)
What are you going to believe?
Where are you going to place your faith?
Today, you have an opportunity to believe and place your faith in Jesus.
You may not have another chance to make this decision—the Lord is speaking to you today.
Place your faith in Him today.
Let us pray.
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This sermon was preached at Memorial Chapel, Fort Lee, VA on 21 August 2011. All scripture marked ESV: The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.