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THE GREATEST QUESTION

July 17, 2011, Matthew 16:13-16

One day Jesus asked his disciples two questions.  First he said, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matt. 16:13b).

    Now, people are always interested in what “other folks say.”  And the disciples had several different answers:  “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matt. 16:14).

    Then, the Lord became very personal and said, “But what about you?  Who do you say I am?” (Matt. 16:15).

    That’s the greatest question and everyone must eventually face this question: Who is Jesus to you?

I.  FIRST, IS HE OUR EXAMPLE?

    The Scriptures say he is.  John said, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

    In a famous old book one Christian congregation committed themselves to ask, “What would Jesus Do?” before making any decision in the home or at work.  They tried to think as Jesus thought; speak as Jesus spoke, and act as Jesus acted.  This changed their lives and their community.

    People who criticize Christians as hypocrites because they don’t live up to their profession, need to realize that we’re never told to copy other people.  Instead, we’re told to use Jesus as our example.  Peter said, “This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow.  So you should do as he did.” (1 Peter 2:21, edb).

    The Lord, himself, said, “I did this as an example for you.  So you should do as I have done for you. ” (John 13:15, edb).

    So, if you want a great formula for living, then remember Jesus Christ.  Study him.  Follow him.

    Once a fire broke out in a hotel in Chicago.  Some people on the tenth floor tried to escape on a balcony, but they were trapped.  Then one man in the group went back into the building and found the door to a fire escape.  Courageously, he reentered the area of the smoke and flames again in order to lead the group to safety.  When that man came back and said, “Follow me, folks!  I know the way!”  There was great joy and relief.

    This is what the Christian gospel says to us.  Once Jesus said, “ ‘You know the way to the place where I am going.’  Thomas said . . . ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going.  So how can we know the way?’  Jesus answered, ‘I am the way . . .’ ” (John 14:4-6, edb) 

    Do you ask, “what would Jesus do,” before making decisions?  Do you try to think as he thought?  Do you try to speak as he spoke?  Do you try to act as he acted?  Is Jesus your example?

II.  NEXT, IS JESUS OUR TEACHER?

    The Gospel writers say he is. Throughout his ministry Jesus taught the people.  He  taught individuals, small groups and large groups.  He taught by the sea, on the mountain, in the Synagogues, by the lake and in the Temple.  Mark said, “Jesus began to teach by the lake” (Mark 4:1);  John said, “Jesus went up into the temple, and taught” (John 7:14b).

    Furthermore, Jesus was an exceptionally effective teacher.  Matthew said, “The multitudes were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:28-29).

    Today, Jesus teaches us through the Scriptures, through prayer and through the influence of the Holy Spirit.

    One Church discovered that there seemed to be no significant difference between Christians and non-Christians as far as their attitudes and lifestyles.  The preacher said, “We were so shocked that we changed our Sunday School and Bible Study.  We had always assumed that people would read their lesson before they came to class.  Then we would discuss it and apply it.  But, in reality, that wasn’t happening. So, now the lesson is introduced on Sunday.  Then practical suggestions are made about how to use that lesson throughout the following week.”

    “Most of all, we want people to have more than head knowledge and Bible facts.  We want them to integrate the Scriptures into their lives.”  Unless we change our behavior and use what we learn, the information is worthless.  Paul said, “Be a worker who . . . uses the true teaching in the right way” (2 Tim. 2:15, edb).

    Do you read Scripture for information?  Do you pray and listen for God’s guidance?  Are you growing in knowledge and wisdom?  Is Jesus your teacher?

III. THIRD, IS JESUS OUR HELPER?

    The writer of Hebrews said he is.  He said,  “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid . . .” (Heb. 13:6).

    Everyone needs help at times.  No person is omniscient or omnipotent.  We can’t know everything.  We can’t do everything.  Jesus enables us.  He strengthens us.  He supports us.

    Furthermore, he expects those of us in his church to do this for each other.  Paul said, “I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak . . .” (Acts 20:35a, edb)

    Then he said, “We who are strong in faith should help those who are weak . . . Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to help him be stronger in the faith” (Rom. 15:1-2, edb).

    If a soldier in the army misses roll call during combat, the sergeant immediately sends out a search party.  He knows the youth may be in trouble and wants to find him and help him before he becomes a casualty.”

    But in the church, when troops are discovered missing, too often we criticize them or ignore their absence.  We judge and punish when, in fact, they may be wounded or in trouble.  Our fellow Christians need help, not condemnation.  Paul explains how the Lord fills this need, saying:  “The Spirit helps us with our weakness.  We do not know how to pray as we should.  But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain” (Rom. 8:26). 

    Do you let Jesus bear your burdens of worry and fear?  Do you let God’s strength enable you to be a faithful witness and an enabler of others?  Is Jesus your helper?

IV.  FOURTH, IS JESUS OUR FRIEND?

    The Lord specifically explains this relationship, saying, “You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:14-15).

    A friend is a wonderful thing.  Solomon said, “A friend loves at all times” (Prov. 17:17).

    A friend knows all about us, but loves us anyway.  A poet describes such a relationship:

        Oh, the comfort–the inexpressible comfort
            Of feeling safe with a person.
        Having neither to weigh thoughts,
        Nor measure words–but pouring them
        All right out–just a they are–
        chaff and grain together–
        Certain that a faithful hand will
        Take and sift them–
        Keep what is worth keeping–
        And with the breath of kindness
        Blow the rest away.

    That’s what Jesus does.  He doesn’t judge.  He doesn’t criticize.  He doesn’t punish.  Instead, he gives unconditional love.  He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

    Do you enjoy fellowship with the Lord?  Do you talk to him and express gratitude and love?  Is he a companion you can introduce to others?  Is Jesus your friend?

V.  FINALLY, IS JESUS OUR SAVIOR?

    The Scriptures give this promise.  In Luke, Jesus says, “The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them” (Luke 19:10);

    In John, Jesus says, “God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17, edb).

    Paul said, “God did not choose us to suffer his anger but to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9, edb).
    A savior rescues, redeems, salvages and restores. 

    Once a boy with a little bird in a rusty birdcage walked by a preacher.  “What are you going to do with that bird?” asked the preacher.

    “Oh, I’m just going to have some fun with it.”

    “What are you going to do after that?”

    “I don’t know. Probably feed it to the cats.”

    “Would sell it?” asked the preacher.

    “Aw, mister.  You don’t want this thing.  It’s just a field bird.  It don’t sing or nothin’”

    “How much?”

    “The boy thought awhile, and then said, “Two dollars.”

    The preacher paid it.  The boy grinned and pocketed his money.  Then he watched to see what the preacher would do.  Surprisingly, the kind owner just opened the cage and freed the little bird.

    The boy walked away, shaking his head over the craziness of some people.

    That minister was acting out the gospel story.  Sin has “caged” each one of us, and eventually it will take us to eternal destruction.  But Jesus bought us to set us free.  Paul said, “In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins because of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:7, edb).

    Have you experienced salvation?  Are you  free from guilt?  Have you received the joy of assurance?  Is Jesus your savior?

    When we’re told that we must have a personal relationship with Christ that includes several aspects:

    1.  It means he’s our example.  We try to live as he lived.  His priorities are our priorities.

    2.  It means he’s our teacher.  We learn and mature as he enlightens us through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

    3.  It means he’s our helper.  He strengthens and supports us through difficulties.

    4.  It means he’s our friend.  We can communicate with him through prayer and meditation.

    5.  Finally it means he’s our savior.  He saves us by providing abundant life now, and eternal life in the future.

    Therefore, the last and greatest question is this:  If Jesus came to be our example, our teacher, our helper, our friend and our savior, what will we do with him?

    Pilate voiced this personal question saying, “What shall I do . . . with Jesus, the one called the Christ? . . .” (Matt. 27:22).

    An old song by B.B. McKinney says it well:

        Jesus is standing at your heart’s door,
        Standing and knocking, He’s knocked before;
        This is the question you face once more:
        What will you do with Jesus?

        At your sad heart he is knocking still,
        Longing to enter, your soul to thrill;
        You must accept or reject his will:
        What will you do with Jesus?

        Oh, will you leave him alone, outside?
        Or will you choose Him what-e’re betide?
        This is the question you must decide:
        What will you do with Jesus?

        Will you now answer his tender call?
        Will you obey him what-e’re befall?
        Follow him daily as Lord of all?
        What will you do with Jesus?
       
    CHORUS
        What will you do with Jesus?
        What will you do with Jesus?
        Neutral you cannot be;
        Someday your heart will be asking:
        What will you do with Jesus?
(WC1850)

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Copyrighted 2011 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MESSAGE IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

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