Matthew 16:13-14..Ready

Matthew 16:13-14..Ready

16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, (Jesus taking His disciples to this pagan, idolatrous area, is like planning a Deacons retreat to Las Vegas, the sin city of gambling and immortality-(New)) Watch Video. https://youtu.be/dui6KLwzrcc] he asked his disciples, Who do people say the Son of Man is? [Watch Video https://youtu.be/fCf6Qy3j3Y4?si=rtvQqpzs9sXhsiZb]  https://youtu.be/KI3np7BlK5Q?si=XefP6Zww4xX_-GA114 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; (How Jesus was John the Baptist is a little confusing since they were contemporaries-(New) others say Elijah and still others, Jeremiah (Or both were men of sorrows who were in conflict with their religious leaders of their day.-(New) or one of the prophets. (For Additional Expository Note See Book)

Extended Sermons

“Teaches rather than follow the opinions of others in who Jesus is, we need to go to God’s Word and decide for ourselves.” ⇒ What others think, believe, or feel does not determine Christ’s identity. The only accurate revelation of Christ is the spiritual enlightenment that flows from holy Scripture. Popular opinion of who Jesus is varies from person to person, culture to culture, and sadly even from church to church. Just because most people hold to a particular view, doesn’t necessarily mean that view is correct! Just because a culture can decides it’s own morals and values does not mean that what it decides is correct! The majority rule does not apply when it comes to truth of what is right and wrong. A culture can decide that homosexuality is okay, but the culture is wrong. A culture can decide that divorce is normal, but the culture is wrong. The culture can decide that Jesus was merely some historical figure. The culture can decide that the Word of God is unreliable, contradictory, out of date all it wants. But the culture is wrong! Regardless how you look at it truth is truth no matter how much you try to reason or explain it away. You have to accept it or deny it, there’s no other option. The old saying “If it sounds good or if it feels good it must be true.” Or “If it’s a popular it must be right”, But none of those are a bases in determining what is true. We have to be careful and not allow truth to be determine by public opinion. When our view of Jesus is shaped more by culture then it is by the bible were going to miss out on who Jesus is. Nor are we to allow how we feel to determine what truth is. You can misunderstand something or not feel something and it can still be true. As believers we need to hold firm to scripture alone. Otherwise who knows what we’re going to believe about Jesus.

“Teaches when it comes to evangelism it’s good to know what people’s opinions, beliefs, and views are of Jesus.” ⇒ If were going to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and correct false teachings of Jesus we need to understand how people perceive Jesus…….(To be Continued)

“Teaches how Jesus often confronts us amid a secular world of different religious beliefs, opinions, and philosophies.” ⇒ Jesus could have taken the disciples to a more spiritual place, like the synagogue or the Temple in Jerusalem. But He took the to the Pagan area of Caesarea Phillipe in order to see if they would confess Him while in a pagan area. It’s easy for us to profess Jesus while in church, singing worship songs and surrounded by other believers. It’s easy to say in the comfort of church, yes Jesus is Lord. But will you testify to Jesus in your Caesarea Philippi? It’s easy to declare Jesus in the church. But it’s going outside the church in the backdrop of a secular culture and worldly influence and still rise up and declare the true identity of who Jesus is.

“Even today, people can have a high view of Jesus. They think Jesus was a good man, a great prophet, a wise teacher, a miracle worker, a great leader who started His own religion like Buddha and Muhammad. Or they’ll see Jesus as a man of love & compassion, who loves everyone no matter what. But that’s where it falls short. Jesus is those things, but He is so much more.”⇒ If you would ask someone the same question today you will never find them saying something negative or rude about Jesus. In fact they usually speak highly of Him. They’ll say “I think He’s a pretty good dude. He started His own religion. He did some amazing things. I love the miracles He did when He walked on water and fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread.” They’ll say they believe He’s a real historical figure. They’ll  even admit that He was innocent man and died a horrible death.” Many religions believe Jesus was a great prophet. In the Quran Jesus is the great prophet of Allah. The Mormon Church proclaims Jesus as the firstborn spirit child of God the Father, but not the Eternal God. Throughout history everyone at some point had something to say about Jesus without recognizing Him as Lord & God. Pilate said of Jesus “I find no guilt in this “man”. That’s not offensive or mean, but he doesn’t say He’s Lord. Nopolan said “I know men, and Jesus was no mere man.” Nothing upsetting about that. actually it’s pretty cool. But he’s is expressing his faith in Jesus there? Dietero refereed to Jesus as the unsurpassed. Nothing offensive about that. But what is he saying unsurpassed to who? Men or to God. Stross the German rationalist said Jesus is the highest model of religion. Nothing harmful about that. But Jesus isn’t religion, He’s God! John Steward Mill called Jesus the guide of humanity. That’s nice, but it doesn’t’ say Savior. The French Atheist Reynan said “Jesus was the greatest among the sons of men.” That’s not offensive, but as an atheist that’s where he has to keep it. Theodore Parker a Transcendentalist minister of the Unitarian Church  said’ “Jesus is a youth with God in his heart”. What does that even mean? It doesn’t’ sound hurtful. but what is he saying? Robert Owens a Philanthropist and social reformer said “Jesus was the irreproachable One.” It’s sounds like it’s a complement, but it falls short of saying He’s Savior, Lord, and King. There’s nothing wrong with all of these titles, but they all fall short of who Jesus truly is. If not careful believing Christians can fall into the same short sightedness. We see Jesus’ teachings as good principals to apply to our lives so we can live a better life. (He is that, but He is so much more than that) We see Jesus as a good example for our kids. (He is that, but He’s more than that!)  We see Jesus a model of social justice the way He cared for the poor. (He did care for the poor, but He’s more than that!)

More Notes & Applications 

Teaches how often the questions God is asking comes during our everyday life, where we live.

Warns if not careful we can regulate Jesus to something less than His true identity.

Warns anything short of declaring Jesus as God is really to reject Him.

Calls for gauging the company we keep, that were not associating with the wrong people who don’t truly believe in Jesus the way we do. (“Birds of a feather always flock together)

Teaches how often times Jesus has to get us to a quiet place in order to bring us to deeper views and understanding. For the disciples they were out of Jewish area. A neutral territory, there’s no home field advantage. They don’t have to play a certain part or impress anyone, or pressure to act a certain way and just be themselves. So to for us Jesus doesn’t want us to just say what others expect to hear.

Jesus was not running for office and campaigning for votes. He wasn’t hoping to be elected Lord & Savior by persuading enough people. The people’s answer made no difference to the reality of His identity. A negative answer would not have reduced His role. A positive answer would not have made Him feel better about Himself. Jesus never addressed public opinion about Himself. Jesus didn’t say we need to get a strategy to get my poll numbers up and get more people to like me and vote for me. In the same way we need to stop trying to fix Jesus’ reputation with people who don’t believe in Him.  Remember, it’s not about convincing others to like Jesus; it’s about embodying His principles and allowing His light to shine through us.

Caesarea Philippi was situated in the northern region of the area now known as Israel, about 15 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. It was located in the foothills of Mount Hermon, a prominent landmark in the region. The city was known for its impressive spring, a major source of the Jordan River. The city was originally called Panion or Panias, after the Greek god Pan. In ancient Greek mythology Pan had the horns and hindquarters/legs of a goat. Pan was the god of nature, flocks, shepherds and sexuality. He was often depicted in pictures and statues as playing his windpipes. The worship of Pan began in rustic and rural areas, far from the populated city centers. He didn’t have any large temples built to worship him. Rather, worship centered in nature, often in caves or grottos. In Jesus’ time there was a temple built at the entrance to this cave. This temple was dedicated to the pagan god “Pan”. The people of this city believed that this cave was the gate to “hades” or the gate to hell. And the water that flowed from this caved flowed from the underworld. So they built a temple to appease this god Pan to help make sure that the river that flowed from it never stopped flowing out of that cave. Because the cities survival depended on it. After Rome came to power It was renamed Caesarea Philippi. Philip the Tetrarch, son of Herod the Great, renamed the area in tribute to his good friend Caesar Augustus and himself. That’s where you get the name Caesarea Philippi. Caesar being the “Caesarea”. And Philip being the “Philippi”. It was in this backdrop, with all types of pagan god’s that you could worship and any religion of your choice that Jesus asks His disciples, twelve ordinary men “Who do the people say that I am”?

As it was back then we find the same thing today. Opinions about Jesus, then as now, were all over the map. Saying a lot without really saying anything. There was no consensuses, everyone had their own opinion. There will always be confusion and debate about Jesus.

In addition to the general consensus of people believing Jesus was a prophet. There were other more personal opinions that are recorded in the bible, that the disciples did not mention. As an example Jesus’ own brothers and sisters thought He was crazy and out of His mind.-(Mark 3:20-21) The religious leaders thought Jesus was controlled by the devil himself.-(Matt. 12:24) The hometown where Jesus lived and grew up thought He was too normal and average to be anyone else, but a carpenter’s son.-(Mark 6:1-3) Not much has changed since then. Today, you still get people with a diversity of opinions. Some believe Jesus was a crazy religious fanatic with a Messiah complex. Others believe Jesus was a normal and average person whose story got blown out of portion and now He has become a legend.

Jesus is not being self-centered. Jesus’ question has nothing to do with pride or ego, but rather with who He is and how our understanding of who He is fits into God’s Saving plan.