Message Scripture:
Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27-29 (NASB)
Introduction:
Not long ago I started working on a devotional that was going to be a Cigar Lounge Devotional, but that was before people thought I was posting too much. The way I see it is this is what God has called me to do, and there are times (quite frankly) when I feel like I don’t write enough. I also was using Evernote before every time I opened the desktop link they were asking me to upgrade. I was also in the process of trying to establish a secondary blog that would be an extension of Christlike Ministries NWA, and so all of the messages that I wrote using Evernote will soon have a home…on the new Pastor B’s Blog.
I’m also going to be kind of re-reading and re-writing stuff I already wrote because…well…there may be more that God wants to say through these messages. So, I always ask that God would give you…the readers ears to hear and hearts that will be receptive and respond to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying through this message to you this night. Now, I can get into this message which will also become a part of the Quiet Time Devotional.
Who Do You Say That I Am?
Jesus asks Peter one of the most important questions that we will have to answer today before the trumpet sounds. That question: “Who do YOU say that I Am?”.
In other words…who is Jesus to you? The interesting thing to me is that Jesus first wanted to know who the world says He is. Can I tell you that the events taking place in the world today ought to be like a bucket of ice water thrown on you as your sleeping? In other words, it should jolt you awake to the reality that the trumpet of the rapture could literally sound at any moment.
You see, friends. I believe that some of the things happening today God is already starting to use to separate the sheep from the goats. You see those who are firm in their beliefs and stance that what God’s Word says goes above what man’s laws say…and you see on the other side a body of “believers” that look good, sound good and say all the right things…but are the churches full of people with itching ears that Paul told Timothy would come. Remember Paul said there would be a time where those IN THE CHURCH would turn their ears to fables and away from sound doctrine…and the only sound doctrine I know is found in the Word of God. Amen!?!
So, the question about “Who Do You Say That I Am?” is a very important one to answer because how you answer that question can mean the difference between being the one that left the neat pile of clothes on the ground…or the one wondering where you disappeared to in the blink of an eye.
You see He starts His disciples out with a general question…and then He brings it back to being personal…a heart check. He say’s “Who does everyone else say I am?”, and then He brings it to their hearts by asking “Who do you say I Am?. That’s a relevant question today, isn’t it? Who is Jesus to you?
The world sure has a lot of answers today just like they did when He asked Peter this question doesn’t it!?! Some have general knowledge. Like if you ask someone if they know who Jesus is they will likely respond with a half-hearted “yeah I know about Jesus”. We all know people who have answered this question this very way, don’t we? There are those who say that Jesus was a great teacher, a prophet, a good man, and own of my personal pet peeves just one of many ways to Heaven. Some say that He and Allah are the same. Some say all gods are basically the God of the Bible and in some way we’re all worshiping the same God…but God says in His Word that He doesn’t even know of any other gods besides Him for one simple reason THERE AREN’T ANY…all other gods are man made…and there simply is no other god like my God.
Jesus is very clear that there are no other gods, and that there is no other way to Heaven that doesn’t go through a personal relationship with the Father through Him. John 14:6 is one of my favorite verses because it is very blunt and to the point. It leaves no grey areas or room for open interpretation. John 14:6 is as straight to the point as you can get…and this is before Peter says there is only one name by which men MUST be saved…the name of Jesus. This is before Paul wrote that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Jesus said very simply and directly…I Am The Way…and there is NO OTHER WAY but through Him. Period.
So, I’d like to encourage you to meditate upon this question, and really think about Who do YOU say Jesus is. Is He just a good man? Is He just a prophet? In all reality there are a lot of important questions to think about and ponder the answer to. What do I want to do with my life? Where do I want to live? What are my dreams? Goals? Aspirations? However, I submit to you that the most important question any of us will ever answer is the one Jesus asks Peter, and God is asking us to answer today…
Who Do You Say I Am?
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today and every day. Thank You for messages like this that challenge and remind us to take what is in our heads and make sure it filters down into our hearts. As we meditate upon the answer to this question, Lord, we ask that You would reveal Yourself to us in a way that You have never done before. Be real and intimate with us, as we come to settle in our own hearts who You are to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen
The Last Word From Pastor B:
There are many people who think that all gods are really one God, but that’s not the case. There is no other God like our God, and there is no other that compares. The Muslim god is not God, the Buddhist god is not God, and the only way you come to truly know that is by having a personal relationship with God. There’s none that compare to Jesus, and the simple truth is all these other gods will one day bow before Him and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Pastor B’s Blog is brought to you by Christlike Ministries NWA. Everything you see here is 100% original material inspired by the Word of God and the Holy Ghost. I’ve been privileged to serve the Lord in this capacity for over 3 and 1/2 years now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what God does with this blog. I know the Christlike Ministries NWA has been seen at least once in nearly 200 nations, and I’m believing that God can get this blog to reach those same nations. If you’ve been blessed at all by either the Christlike Ministries NWA blog or Pastor B’s Blog won’t you consider sowing into this ministry to help keep us online!?!
If you’d like to give or if you need prayer or if you need help getting started in your walk with God…maybe you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior won’t you write to me today at pastorbryankizer@outlook.com? I’d be glad to let you know how you can sow into this ministry or how you can enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I even have access to some limited resources to help get your Bible Study library started.
Thank you so very much for taking time out to visit Pastor B’s Blog, and I hope you’ll take the time to visit www.christlikeministriesnwa.com as well.
Have a blessed day!
Blessings & Grace;
Pastor B
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