What Do You Think That I Am? Matthew 16:13-18: (Aug. 31, 2008)

Introduction * Many questions: - What am I going to do with my life? - What will I be? - What will tomorrow bring?

* Serious questions: - Am I saved? - Where will I go, when I die? - When I die, will I go to heaven or to hell? - Why does God allow such tragedy to happen to the Christians on the earth?

* Philosophical questions: - How many angels can fit in the head of a needle? - Will the infants go to heaven without confessing their faith?

 "Is the bird I'm holding dead or alive?" ① If the professor said the bird was dead, the student was going to free the bird and let it fly away. ② If the professor said it was alive, the student was going to crush the bird.

☞ "My boy, the answer lies in your hands." ☞ We can find that these questions are related to life matters and these help us to re-think our own life matters as well.

Main Body Two Questions: * Background of today's Bible lesson: - Jesus and His disciples arrived at the area of Caesarea Philippi ( 가이사 랴 빌립보 ), an area about 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee and about 120 miles away from Jerusalem.

- At that time, Caesarea Philippi was considered pagan territory and was the capital of that Roman Province. It was a beautiful and picturesque spot, 1,100 feet above sea level near the very high snow-capped Mount Hermon( 헐몬산 ).

- Jesus looked at His disciples and in a moment of reflection asked his disciples TWO questions.

Question #1: "Who do people say that I am?" Jesus was seen in so many different ways. Some say that Jesus is John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

1) John the Baptist 2) Elijah 3) Jeremiah 4) One of the Prophets.

These are not bad answers but they all fall short of who Jesus really is because no one was openly confessing that Jesus Christ was the Messiah.

- You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. * Caesarea of Philippi: - where Baal shrines, Greek god Pan, and many images of false gods or idols had been built.

- Peter knew Jesus was unique - Peter knew Jesus was more than a man! - "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus said to Peter: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not overcome it.“ (Matthew 16:17-18)

Some speak of Jesus as prophet, holy man, teacher, or spiritual leader. 1) Muslims: "Prophet, yes. Son of Man, yes, But not Son of God!" Jesus, son of Mary, but not son of God. 2) Jews: "Teacher, yes. But not Messiah!" Jews accept Jesus as Rabbi (teacher), but not as Saviour. 3) Liberal Christians: "Holy man, yes! But Not God!" ex) Albert Schweitzer: Then I want to raise the same question to you: - Who do you say that Jesus is?

Conclusion * Pluralistic society: not to speak of the name of Jesus, not to offend other people or their religion. Jesus asks two questions to his disciples, - Who Do People Say that I Am? - Who do you say that I am?

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah and the Son of the living God.” Jesus was delighted to hear Peter's answer, and then Jesus said, "You are Blessed!" Here's the point. - Many different answers.

Then, what about you? - Are you ready for this message? - Who do you say Jesus is? The answer lies in your mouth and also in your heart! And it will decide your life here and also your life after your death. Amen.

Let us pray!