"And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And they answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." But He warned them and directed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."
Good Morning beloved,
We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is with tremendous joy and anticipation that we return to our study of the Word of God. Particularly the Gospel of Luke, who is best known as the beloved physician, that wrote one of the four Gospels within the New Testament, to provide a comprehensive account of the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's background as a physician is reflected in his meticulous approach to present us with a narrative that gives great attention to detail, offering a unique perspective as compared to the other Gospels, it is not only Holy Spirit-inspired testimony but also a valuable historical document due to it's literary quality. Making Luke's Gospel a very significant spiritual testament, as well as an incredible piece of historical Christian literature.
You know, it's truly awe-inspiring when you pause to reflect on the transformative power of the Gospel, it's really amazing what God can do with sound teaching. Recently, I have come to realize this power even more at the memorial service of one of the most righteous, God-fearing men I've been privileged to know in recent years. As I listened attentively to the numerous stories being shared about his life from those who knew him best, I discovered he was once considered to be one of the most profound sinners, serving as a true testament to the power of transformation. Just shortly before his passing, I believe it became evident, that the Lord faithfully led him to lovingly confront those whom he believed might be deceive about the true spiritual condition, those who appear to have more liberal view about their salvation, a subject about which he, like myself, was very, very concerned. Ironically, much of what he had to say was being ignored by many of those who were present that day, as he spoke about the importance of knowing you are saved and sharing the Gospel with others. He went on to say how grateful he was that someone cared enough to share the Gospel with a wretch like himself.
The last time he and I spoke, we both agreed that we really needed to get together soon and talk about all the great things God has done in and through our lives. To my astonishment, God had other plans, and shortly after our conversation, He called him home before we could meet. His life is a true testament to the remarkable impact that one person, offering sincere and heartfelt guidance can have on a person. That's the benefits of living a righteous life, it honors God by doing what is right, but it also stands as a testament to the watching world what God can do. When God sends you preachers and teachers, revealing the Truth, I beseech you, don't ignore it just because it's not what you want to hear. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I am grateful for the short period of time I had the honor and privilege of knowing him. Although our time was brief, it was profoundly impactful. I look forward to the day that he and I can one day continue our conversation that was abruptly interrupted on the other side. In the meantime, I humbly ask that you would all please keep his family in your prayers as they cope with their loss.
Let's pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, thank You for Your Word, I pray that You would encourage those tender hearts who need to hear it with these dear words by Your Spirit. Lord, You have called each one of us to take up our cross and follow You. I am convinced that if we believe the Gospel as we ought, taking Your Words to heart, we won’t squander our youth, we will humble ourselves in service for the cause of Christ. Far too little attention is given to those of us who have been there, done that, longing to impart the difficult lessons that we've learned from our missteps with those who are blindly treading the same misguided paths with unwavering stubbornness. Father, it's deeply troubling, that even many of those within the church, those who boldly profess to be following in Your footsteps, are walking a carnal and sinful path, entrenched in worldly temptations. Lord, firmly bear upon their hearts with conviction as only You can, and may it lead them to a path of righteousness. O how I pray that You would help them to see the error of their ways and guide them to a life that truly reflects the teachings and love of Christ and honors You. I earnestly ask and pray these things in Christ's Name, for Your glory.
Amen.
Today's Message: To Whom Do You Really Belong? Pt 2
Open our Bibles with me please and turn them to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses eighteen through twenty-two. Luke 9:18-22. I realize that even though I've entitled this message part 2, it's actually part 1, since we essentially only laid the groundwork after the introduction. The good news is, today we will be able to complete what we started last, Lord willing. Before we begin, I would like to inform those of you who aren't aware, that Luke immediately transitions from the miraculous event of the feeding of the five thousand to a profound moment where Jesus poses an important question to His disciples.
However, before reaching this pivotal point in the text, there was a period that occurred between these two significant events, meaning they do not follow each other chronologically. Jesus traveled beyond the traditional Jewish regions going to the Gentile territories of Tyre and Sidon, before going to the area known as Decapolis, a group of ten cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, characterized by its Greco-Roman culture. Both Matthew chapter 14 through chapter 16, and Mark chapter 6 through chapter 8, fill in the gaps, be sure to read them if you're interested. The Decapolis includes the cities of Damascus, Philadelphia, Raphana, Scythopolis, Gadara, Hippos, Dion, Pella, Gerasa, and Canatha. Only Scythopolis isn't located east of Jordan. It's interesting that Damascus, which is located much father to the north, is also included in Decapolis. The region is a melting pot of different peoples and traditions, offering a unique backdrop for Jesus' teachings and miracles to reach a broader audience. I believe this clearly demonstrates Jesus' intention to extend His ministry beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles, breaking of traditional boundaries setting the stage for what is soon to come. For whatever reason, the Holy Spirit obviously chose not repeat those events here in Luke, he's more concern with the pressing question, "But who do you say that I am?"
Now, moving forward, I would like to encourage you to follow along with me as I read these verses to set the text in our minds, as we prepare our hearts for the Spirit of God is saying to each of us. Luke 9:18-22.
"And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" And they answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." But He warned them and directed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day."
Verse 18, "And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" Matthew tells us that He asked them, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" It is he messianic title that Daniel used to refer to our Lord in Daniel chapter 7. "And it happened that," indicates there's been a transition here, which is clearly marking a shift to a period we have only touched upon briefly. So, while He was praying alone, a phrase which by the way is particularly important, as it is a recurring term that Luke uses seven times to emphasizes Jesus' communion and dependence on the Father. These moments of seclusion in prayer were crucial for Jesus, as well they should be for every one of us, not merely ritualistic. If you're looking for an example of a heart filled with love, concern, where He fervently for the disciples protection, unity, and sanctification you can read John 17, where He is interceding on behalf of the disciples, and those who would believe through them. Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool that can bring healing and hope to those in need. Are we making time to lift up our families, friends, our communities and even our nation in prayer? Praying for the needs of others, not only their physical needs, but their spiritual needs as well, especially their need for salvation, or are we merely praying for our own needs, wants and desires? Notice Luke mentions the disciples were with Him, so they were obvious nearby while He was off praying alone.
As I've mentioned numerous times before, the purpose of prayer is to align our heart with God's heart, not just present Him with a grocery list of our requests. By the way, our requests should always be in agreement with the Will of God. Few things will fortify our spirit, provide clarity, strength and guidance for the challenges we face like prayer. It's sad to say that many Christians can barely seem to find the time to engage the Lord in prayer, and frankly much of what is being said is nothing more than vain repetition and self-seeking prayer. Please, I urge you do not pray that way, that is exactly what He condemned the religious leaders for. Prayer should something we intentionally do, like eating, we should do it earnestly, honestly and faithfully, revealing our heart to our Lord Who cares for us. Then "He questioned them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" The Greek word "ochlos" or crowds, frequently used to describe the masses that followed Jesus during His ministry, whether for curiosity or out of need.
Verse 19, "And they answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." Matthew also includes the prophet Jeremiah to this list of possibilities, so we can't just assume that's all there was to the conversation, apparently it was more extensive than what than has been recorded, but it's a summary of what was said. He's affirming who the multitudes of people say that He is. They've been following Him for a little over two years now, He has given them sufficient evidence that He is God, performing countless miracles, casting out demons and even bringing people back from the dead, as well as His divine omniscience, leaving no room for skepticism about His true identity and that's the best that they can come up with, despite the overwhelming evidence He provided? They couldn't deny His divine power, they recognized that He had to be somebody who has come down from heaven, no ordinary man could do the things that He did. I believe this reflect the undeniable difference between their limited understanding of what they witness and their preconceived notions and misguided interpretations of what the Messiah should be, Jesus didn’t fit the popular highly developed messianic concept of the Old Testament Who reigns in Israel and dominates the rest of the world. A common mistake that is often repeated by many today who have reduced Jesus Christ to someone other than Who He says that He is, preventing them from recognizing His true identity.
Verse 20, "And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" The Greek verb "eperótaó," is used where someone is seek understanding, clarification, or confirmation. He continued questioning, He kept on pressing them for an answer. This is not just a casual inquiry, He literally interrogated them, revealing the intensity and persistence behind His questioning, one of great importance and consequence. Keep in mind that He's only a few months out from His death on the cross, it was clear Who He claimed to be, they had enough proof, now it's time for the final exam. He needed a definitive answer. The same is true today, after all the evidence you have received, if you still won't believe, the time will come when you can't believe, God will judicially harden your heart, similar to how He did Pharaoh and the Pharisees, rendering them unable to heed His warnings. That's the insidious power of false teaching, it blinds you to the Truth to the extent that you literally become incapable of seeing, God will honor your choice to turn away from Him, rejecting His offer of salvation. In Genesis 6:3, God said "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever," when that time comes, it's over. This is a sobering reminder of the consequences of choosing to reject the Truth, maybe you've never thought about that. If you haven't yet repented of your sin and believed on Christ, trusting Him for your salvation, please don't wait, the price is too high.
Look at the end of the verse, "And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." According to Matthew Peter, the spokesman for the entire group, declared "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Beloved, that's the power of believing the Truth, it brings you to the right conclusion. I cannot stress enough how important it is to sit under sound biblical teaching, it cannot be overstated, so that you will never find yourselves to be guilty of believing Jesus as less than He really is! It's truly disheartening that many professing Christians will eagerly claim Him as Savior, but deny the Lordship of Christ in their lives. The Truth of His deity and messiahship has long been settled, and everybody believes something, the only question that remains is what you believe. "Who do you believe Jesus is?"
Matthew gives us more information in chapter 16,, "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. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." To make that kind of confession requires divine intervention, you cannot reach that conclusion by human reasoning. In John 6:44, Jesus said "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." However, in 1 Corinthians 12,, Paul writes "No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." Paul reminds us in Romans 10, that "Salvation only comes to those who confess Jesus as Lord." I urge you, don't be deceived by easy-believism and cheap grace. The churches today are literally filled with pseudo-Christians who have never confessed Jesus as Lord. That's why Peter warns us in 2 Peter 3:17-18, "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, indicating that by their confession, they have been granted the privilege and authority to enter the kingdom of heaven. And, by preaching the gospel to others, they would open the gates of heaven to those who believe the Truth and shutting the gates on unbelievers, declaring them forbidden to enter. The phrase "Whatever is bound on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever is loosed on earth shall have been loosed in heaven" is frequently misinterpreted within religious circles, particularly among those within the Charismatic movement, wrongly believing that spiritual leaders or certain believers possess the divine power and authority to make decisions on behalf of God that will be subsequently honored by Him.
However, it is critical to understand that this authority is not a blank check, giving leaders carte blanche to fill in the blanks. This authority only allows them to confirm or deny one's sins are forgiven, granting them entrance to heaven based upon the confession of what a person truly believes in his or her heart. For instance, Paul boldly declared that those who pervert the Gospel who be cursed, a declaration already made in heaven. And, in 1 Corinthians 16:22, he writes "If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha."
That's brings us to our final two verses, 21 and 22, "But He warned them and directed them not to tell this to anyone, saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day." It may seem counter-intuitive that Jesus would question the disciples about His true identity, and then warn them not to disclose true His identity to anyone, that's because they didn't have the full message, He then explains that He still needed to go to Calvary, to bear the sins of the world. He didn’t want them to go around proclaiming that He is the Messiah until God fully declared that wonderful Truth in the resurrection, in an incredible display of divine power and approval, it could be dangerous. The religious leaders already wanted to kill Him, but as He stated many times, His time had not yet come. Jesus came to bear our sins in His own body on the cross. It had to happen according to God's divine plan. The cross must come before the crown. I know that this comes as a shock to those who have been deceived by false teachers who claim that God only wants to bless you, Christian won't have to endure any suffering on earth. This contradicts what the Lord Himself taught in John 16:32-33,, when He said, "Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Our best life is not here and now, it's future. And it's coming much sooner than people think!! Repent and believe, confess Christ as Lord while there's still time.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Copyright © 2019-2025 All Rights Reserved