Who is this Man?, Sunday 04-08-2007

Text: Matthew 16:13-16

Theme: Are you willing to seek to know the answer to “who is this man”? How will you know unless you ask some question?

Introduction

1. No one person has changed the world like Jesus.
   1. He has more . . . followers, books, songs, Bibles …
   2. He wants everyone to know who He really is.

Text: Matthew 16:13-16

Are you willing to seek to know the answer to “who is this man”?

How will you know unless you ask some question?

1. “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (verse 13)

a. What did the people around Jesus think?

b. They saw His miracles, heard his words. Yet, most of them envisioned a Messiah who would conquer and divide.

c. They said He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets.

d. What do people think today?

e. Some see Him as a great historical figure.

f. Some see Him as a deceiver.

g. Some see Him as God in the flesh.

2. What did Jesus claim about Himself?

a. What did He say about His mission, purpose?

b. He came to bring us truth.
“Jesus answered, you are right in saying I am a King. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:3

c. He came to give His life as payment for sin. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:20

d. He came to bring us true life. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

e. What did He say about Himself?
The high priest said: “Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63)
Jesus answered: “Yes, it is as you say … but I say too all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)

3. “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

a. “Humanity” always comes down to one … you.
You can’t ignore the question.

b. God has given you everything you need:
He came down in the flesh.
He spoke words of eternal life.
He lived sinless and died as a sacrifice.
He sent witnesses who died as martyrs.
He has saved millions all over the world.

Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)