Good News Club: Luke 9:18-22
Good News Club Spring 2024: Jesus God of Power and Glory • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsBelieve Jesus is the Christ Who suffered, was rejected, died, and lives again.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Friends, last week we considered how Jesus is the One that we need to seek when He asks us to obey Him because He provides the help we need to obey Him. Friends, do you remember how Jesus demonstrated that He can help us to obey Him? - He provided food for 5,000+ people!
Friends, when you’re alone, what are some things that you do? - In the passage we’re going to look at today, we find Jesus alone. Let’s see what He does when He’s alone.
Content and Explanation: Luke 9:18–22 18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
Friends, what is it here that Jesus is doing alone?
He’s praying! - that’s right!
To pray is simply talking to God!
Jesus may have talked with God about the events of the day where Jesus and the disciples taught others and saw God and Jesus work to transform peoples’ lives!
Friends, what significant miracle had just taken place?
Jesus had fed 5000+ people! - yes!
Remember, friends, this miracle had taken place at the end of a busy day where Jesus had taught others and was changing people’s lives!
Now, Jesus is able to get alone whereas previously He was unable to dodge the crowds.
Notice friends, was Jesus entirely alone?
No!
Who was with Jesus?
Jesus’ disciples!
So, if Jesus was alone with His disciples, who would not have been around Jesus?
The crowd of people from earlier!
Friends, look at what Jesus asks His disciples where they are away from the crowd.
“Who do the crowds say that I am?”
Friends, this might sound like a funny question but it’s not any different from the kinds of questions that we ask.
Let me give you an example.
If I were to ask you, “Who is Mr. DeMaio?” - what would you say?
My principal! - Yes!
You see, friends, Jesus was asking the disciples about what the crowds think of Jesus based on how Jesus has interacted with the crowds.
Let’s see how the disciples respond to Jesus’ question.
19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”
Friends, John the Baptist was a man who proclaimed God’s Word to the people to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus’ ministry.
Elijah, friends, both proclaimed God’s Word to encourage the people to obey God and performed some amazing miracles demonstrating God’s power.
The prophets, friends, were people who received God’s Word and shared it with the people to encourage them to avoid sin and please the Lord by obeying God’s Word.
So, friends, the disciples are revealing something important about how the people understand Who Jesus is.
They know Him by his teaching, that he’s like John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets that gave the people God’s Word.
Friends, is it true that Jesus was a great teacher?
He sure was.
He’s the greatest of teachers because He is God!
However, friends, was Jesus just a great teacher?
No.
But before we answer that, we need to consider the miracles God did through Elijah.
Friends, if the crowds considered Jesus to be like Elijah who God used to complete great miracles, what then do the people think about Jesus in addition to being a great teacher?
He also works miracles! - that’s right!
What are some examples of miracles that Jesus has performed that we have considered?
He stopped the storm.
He fed 5000+ people with little food!
Additionally, friends, Jesus healed people of diseases that no doctor could help a person with!
However, friends, is Jesus just a great teacher and amazing miracle worker?
No!
Why?
Let’s keep reading to find out!
20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
Friends, what is the difference between this question that Jesus has asked and His first question?
Jesus’ first question was about the crowds.
Now, Jesus points His question to the disciples.
Friends, what is the difference between the crowds and Jesus’ disciples?
The level of their relationship to Jesus.
You see, the crowds would interact with Jesus from a distance.
But, the disciples were always with Jesus.
Ex. The difference between large group time and table time.
Friends, who answered on behalf of the disciples?
Peter.
What did Peter say?
[Jesus is] “The Christ of God.”
Friends, what Peter was saying is that Jesus is the One anticipated in the ancient writings of the Old Testament Who would come and make everything right that our sin has made wrong.
You see, friends, this is what anyone who is Jesus’ disciple believes about Jesus!
To be one of Jesus’ disciples simply means that you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Savior from your sins and this change in your life makes you want to please the Lord by obeying what He says in the Bible.
But, friends, notice what Jesus does next!
21 And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,
Friends if someone strictly charges you and commands you to not do something, what are you going to do?
You’re going to obey because the person who told you is serious about it!
Friends, notice what Jesus says next to His disciples!
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Friends, Jesus is teaching His disciples God’s plan for Jesus as this special One that that Old Testament pointed to that would make right everything that our sin has made wrong.
But, friends, it would mean that Jesus would have to suffer.
He would be wrongly accused.
He would have people physically hurt Him In beatings.
Friends, it would mean that Jesus would be rejected by others who knew God’s Word but still mistreated Him anyway.
Friends, Jesus is loving and kind to heal and provide.
Why would anyone want to mistreat someone so kind as Jesus?
Friends, this is a demonstration of their own sinful heart.
You see, friends, the problem of a sinful heart is not only with these people that Jesus mentioned.
Friends, we have a sinful heart too.
Unkind words.
Disobeying parents/teachers.
Friends, Not only would Jesus suffer and be rejected by sinful people, but He would also die.
Dear friends, Jesus died for our sins because there was no other way to receive forgiveness of our sins.
Otherwise, if Jesus did not die, we would receive what our sin deserves - punishment in the worst of all places, hell, forever away from God’s presence.
But, friends, Jesus would not stay dead.
He rose from the dead.
Jesus has power over death.
Friends, if Jesus is alive, then He surely has power to save you from your sins!
Application: Are you part of the crowd or part of Jesus’ disciples?
Friends, the disciples believed that Jesus was the One and Only Person that could save us from our sins.
That He’s God.
Because, only God can do these things to save us!
The crowds believed that Jesus was a good teacher Who performed some incredible demonstrations of power in healing and providing food for people.
Friends, Jesus wants us to believe on Him as our only Savior from our sins.
Will you believe on Him like that today?
Friends, your sin keeps you from God - only Jesus can bring you to God if you believe on Him as your only Savior from your sins.
Friends, if you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Savior from your sins, thank Him for helping you to see that He is on the Only One Who could save you and ask Him to help you live in a way that pleases Him always.
Scripture Memory: Luke 8:25b “They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?””