Life's Most Important Question
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Introduction
Introduction
After many years of school, people are so relieved to not have to deal with exams.
You perhaps remember clearly the long nights of poring over your books.
It was especially difficult when you started to read the same passage over and over again, because nothing was registering.
It was like your memory bank was full.
Only one thing was worse, not knowing what to study. Perhaps all this is quite distant for you.
Of course when you leave school you don’t stop learning. In fact in reality, the real learning is usually just beginning.
However, the exam type of preparation is usually over.
Well, until recently, I thought that that type of preparation was over for me.
But lately, iI have had to go back to the memorization, and exam-type preparation.
When you have this type of exam-preparation, it is always good to know what is important and what is likely to be on the exam. Didn’t you love it when the professor said, “Now this is very important - know it well?”
Well, even if you thought you were done with school, I must remind you that there is one major exam that you must still face. Everyone has to answer it. There is only one question on the exam, but it is of utmost importance.
In fact, your eternal destiny depends on it...
Therefore, I would like to preach to you this morning on the topic, “Life’s Most Important Question”
What is the question?
What is the question?
Recorded explicitly for us in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
“Synoptic” comes from a Greek word that simply means “seeing together” - Matthew, Mark, and Luke present the good news of Jesus Christ from a similar perspective, essentially recording at length His Words (parables and teachings) and His works (miracles).
Question is found in:
(we will give our attention to Matthew’s account)
Context:
Jesus came into the district of Caeserea Philippi
Disciples are with Him
Only Luke records that Jesus was praying alone, and then He asks His disciples this question
Jesus did not speak on His own initiative - spoke only what the Father showed Him.
All three synoptic gospels record what Jesus said to the disciples after this.
Let’s turn our attention to the question itself, as Matthew records it:
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:
So the question that you must answer is:
So the question that you must answer is:
“Who do you say Jesus is?”
“Who do you say Jesus is?”
Before you dismiss this question quickly, saying, “Ah, I’ve got this one!,” please proceed with caution.
It is not as easy as it looks
In fact, it is actually a very difficult question...
Why is it difficult?
Why is it difficult?
Before we look at some reasons why this question is so difficult, let’s just see if this question was raised only by Jesus, and only for His disciples, or whether it has a broader application.
Only one right answer, many choices, some very attractive.
When we read gospels, we actually find that this same question was on the minds of many. Now they did not necessarily express it in these exact words, but from the context you know that this is what they were thinking.
We see this wonder and amazement about the identity of Jesus right from His birth account.
You remember that an angel appeared to the shepherds while they were out in the fields and announced to them that that day, in the city of David, a Savior had been born, who is Christ the Lord.
16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
The shepherds ran
Luke 2:16-1
Surely they were wondering… Who is this Child, the Savior, the Christ, the Lord?
When Jesus was twelve, He went with His parents to Jerusalem for the Feast, and He remained behind. You remember that they came looking for Him and found Him three days later in the temple in the midst of the teachers, both listening, and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
The question on their minds surely was, “Who is this boy who has such amazing understanding and answers?”
When Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount… the crowds were amazed at His teaching
28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching;
29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:
Who is this that teaches with such authority?
Then there was the time when Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him. When Jesus was reclining at the table, a woman in the city who was a sinner, came and began weeping, wet His feet with her tears, kept wiping them with her hair, kissing His feet, and anointing them with perfume...
Simon thought to himself… if He were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him.
Jesus, knowing his thoughts, gave him the parable of the moneylender and taught him a valuable lesson
He who is forgiven little, loves little, and he who is forgiven much, loves much!
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”
49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”
Luke 7:4
Who is this who even forgives sin?
Who is this
Another time Jesus was with His disciples in the boat and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger
Only one right answer, many choices, some very attractive.
The disciples came to Jesus who was asleep, and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Jesus rebuked the wind and the surging waves and they stopped, and then Jesus rebuked the disciples ...
25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” 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?”
Who is this that even the winds and the water obey Him?
And you remember that after Jesus healed the two blind men who cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!,” they went out and spread the news about Him throughout all the land...
32 As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him.
33 After the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
“Who is this, that even the demons are subject to Him?”
You remember Herod was perplexed about His identity.
As Jesus continued His ministry with His disciples, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases ()
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again.
9 Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.
Who is this man about whom I hear such things?
My personal testimony is captured in this next example… the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus in His words.
They asked Him if it was lawful to pay tax to Caesar.
But Jesus perceived their malice and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?”
He asked for a coin, and then said, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them,
Of course the clincher is when Jesus demonstrates His power and authority over death (Jairus’ daughter)
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
I remember the first time I read Jesus’ answers to the calculating and scheming Pharisees… I was utterly amazed!
Who is this, who answers like this?
Of course the clincher is when Jesus demonstrates His power and authority over death (Jairus’ daughter)
You remember Jairus, an official of the synagogue, implores Jesus to come to his house because his 12-year old daughter is dying. And the account proceeds to tell us that before Jesus could get there, someone from Jairus’ house comes and tells him that his daughter is dead.
When Jesus said, “Child, arise!” her spirit returned and she got up immediately, and Jairus and his wife were amazed!
If you could verbalize their amazement, you might say...
“Who is this, that can even raise the dead?”
As you can see, there were a lot of people who had the same question...
As you can see, there were a lot of people who had the same question...
But here is why the question is so difficult to answer...
But here is why the question is so difficult to answer...
This one is the Savior, Christ, Lord
Leave question unanswered, default is wrong answer - need to explicitly change the answer
Flesh and blood does not reveal this
Only one right answer, many choices, some very attractive.
Jesus is ‘a’ way to God - all paths are the same
Jesus is a prophet of God
Jesus came to show us the way of love
Jesus was a good moral man
All fall short of the answer
Simply verbal or written response is insufficient
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
Most people got it wrong (popular opinions).
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
For any ordinary human being, these options would be flattering! Consider the greatness of these men! John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets!
Most of the crowd got it wrong
In fact, Jesus says that most of the world will get it wrong!
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Even if you ‘technically’ give the right answer, you might still get it wrong!
Not a matter of intelligence, logic, learning, deduction
Even if you ‘technically’ give the right answer, you might still get it wrong!
Simply verbal or written response is insufficient
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
For any ordinary human being, these options would be flattering! Consider the greatness of these men! John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets!
Not a matter of intelligence, logic, learning, deduction -
Christ without suffering is Satanic doctrine
Broad is the way that leads to destruction
Christ without suffering is Satanic doctrine
Christ without Lord is deception
What’s the right answer?
What’s the right answer?
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
See, the right answer comes with the key that unlocks the question. That key is found in Jesus’ response to Peter...
17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Not only is the question difficult, it is IMPOSSIBLE to arrive at the right answer without God’s supernatural, and sovereign action.
“Flesh and blood” - not a matter of intelligence, logic, learning, deduction
Not a matter of intelligence, logic, learning, deduction
From high-ranking officials like Pilate and Herod, to the rejected ones of society, the question is the same and the answer is the same.
Peter concludes his first sermon at Pentecost with this answer!
Peter concludes his first sermon at Pentecost with this answer!
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 2:
Therefore, based on a marvelous exposition of OT passages -
32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
Peter points to the works of Jesus - in that He was man approved by God through miracles, signs, and wonders
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
In verses 25-32, Peter demonstrates from , that David was speaking of the Christ, the Messiah, Who must rise again from the dead.
The Resurrection is of the Messiah!
Not David - his tomb is with us today!
29 “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
In verses 33-35 Peter shows from again that it is not David who ascended, but Jesus, to the Father’s right hand
34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
God has declared the answer. He has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified
God has declared the answer. He has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified
“Whom you crucified” - He died for your sins.
30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Who is this that God made Lord and Christ?
Jesus of Nazareth
A man approved of God
Delivered to death
Raised from the dead
Ascended to the right hand
Receiver of the fulness of the Holy Spirit
Communicator of that fulness to the waiting souls on earth
He is the Savior, Christ, Lord
He is the wisdom of God
He has power over nature, and the winds and waves obey Him
He has power over all creatures and beings, evil and good
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:
Every knee will bow - bow now, and ask God to have mercy - if He does not give you the answer, you will go the broad way which leads to destruction.
30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
Acts 17:
What should your response be?
What should your response be?
When Peter preached the Resurrection, they were pierced to their heart
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
When Paul preached the Resurrection on Mars Hill, there were varied responses:
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”
33 So Paul went out of their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
Acts 17:
Sneer, delay, believe?
Sneer, delay, believe?
Christ without suffering is Satanic doctrine
Life’s most important question: Who do you say that I am?
Life’s most important question: Who do you say that I am?
Christ without Lord is deception