Who Do You Say Jesus is?

Sunday School Lesson for February second, 2020

Luke 9:18-27

WHO IS JESUS TO THE WORLD? V:18.
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, \”Who do the crowds say I am?\” 19 They replied, \”Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.\”

A. There are some discussions that should be held with small groups.     

• 1. There are some discussions that should be held with believers only.
• 2. What I believe about Jesus can be enlightened by others who believe.  
• 3. Some nonbelievers will try to convince you that there is no God or try to persuade you to their current opinion.
  • B. It is apparent that the disciples had heard what others said about the Jesus they followed.    

• 1. It is also apparent that the disciples had discussed among themselves what others said about their leader.
• 2. It is also apparent that what others said, did not change their beliefs. C. Those who don’t know Jesus, have an opinion about Him.    
  • 1. Religious folk who have no relationship with Jesus will say He is everything but the Son of God.
  • 2. Bible study with other believers is important to your spiritual growth.

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?
20 \”But what about you?\” he asked. \”Who do you say I am?\” Peter answered, \”The Christ of God.\”

A. It is not important what others say about Jesus. It is what you believe that is important.

• 1. What momma or daddy believe will not get you into heaven.   
• 2. What others believe may strengthen or weaken your belief.  But it up to you to chose Jesus as your savior.
  • B. It is not what others say. But what you say Jesus is that counts.   

1. There ought to be some unshakeable evidence that Jesus is God.   

2. How did you arrive at your conclusion that Jesus is Lord?   

• 3. No one comes to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father.  John 6:44        a. God draws each of us in different ways. b. The disciples were trained in Old Testament teaching to look for the messiah.  John 1:41        c. Their training in the Jewish synagogues was the way God drew them to Himself.   
• 4. God drew me to Himself through my parents who took me to church from a baby until I left home for college.   
• 5. The evidence that I have that Jesus is God, is the experiences that I have had in life that confirms His Word.   
• 6. I can see God’s power and glory in everyday events.         
  • a. The sunshine and the rain are His doings.        
  • b. The storms and calm times are His doings.        
  • c. I have never seen a man make air, but it is all around us.     
• 7. There are three that testify that Jesus is Lord, the Word, The prophets and the Holy Spirit.  John 5:39, John 15:26, Acts 10:43      

• 8.  Since I cannot understand the scriptures on my own, God uses the             Holy Spirit to enlighten me. John 14:26, 1 Cor 2:14
• 9. The evidence that I have that Jesus is God, is when I read the          Scriptures and they are not foolishness but made plain to me.        
  

SALVATION IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME V:21

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, \”The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.\”

A. There is a time and place for everything.     

• 1. According to the text, Jesus did not want it broadcasted that He was the          Messiah (anointed one).   Isaiah 61:1     
• 2. The Israelites would have tried to make Him King according to the          prophecy of  2 Samuel 7:12-13 or Micah 5:2.     
• 3. John 6:15 records Israel attempt to make Jesus king.         

“ Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by               force,  withdrew again to a mountain by himself. “      4

. The time to announce Jesus\’ kingship was just prior to His crucifixion when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.  

B. Jesus gave His disciples the train of events that would lead to His       resurrection.

• 1. Each event was the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy.           . He would be rejected by the Jewish leaders and Chief priest.                Psalms 118:22-24           b. He would suffer     Isaiah 53: 4-6           c. Jesus would be killed       Genesis 22:1-18           d. Jesus would be resurrected        Isaiah 53:10-11       2. For Jesus to be our salvation He planned His death on the cross.             Isaiah 53:5  

A PERSONAL DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST V:23. Then he said to them all: \”If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

A. There is a cost for salvation.    

• 1. Jesus set the example for us to follow.    
• 2. He sacrificed His life for the atonement of our sins.  Isaiah 53:4-6        1 John 2:2 B. To be a disciple of Jesus we have to give up ourselves for His righteousness.  Luke 14:26, Matthew 6:33, Col 1:18   
• 1. The evidence of our love for Jesus shows up in our service. Hebrews 6:10,  James 2:18-19   
• 2. Since Christ is in me, I am dead to me and alive in Him.  Roman 8:10     
  

A PERSONAL DECISION TO REJECT CHRIST  25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  

A. The pursuit of happiness is everyone’s dream.

• 1. By happiness we mean having stuff and more stuff.       
• 2. By happiness we may mean having money and more money.       
• 3. The problem with happiness is that it is base on circumstances that are constantly under change.      
• 4. Happiness is often measured by what others have obtained.
  • B. Jesus does not promote happiness. He promotes joy.      
• 1. The joy Jesus promotes comes through a relationship with Him.      
• 2. Joy results from our obedience to God’s commands               

  John 15:10-12 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father\’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

The CONSEQUENCE OF REJECTING CHRIST

26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 

A. Most of the world does not accept an authority over their lives greater than themselves.   

• 1. In the preceding verses, Jesus gave us the completion of His plan of redemption for mankind.   
• 2. His voluntary death was for the atonement of our sins.   
• 3. He was resurrected on the third day with all power for the salvation of mankind.  B. Man is given the choice to accept Him as his personal savior. 1. Those who accept Christ will be received into His glory.     
• 2. Those who reject Christ will condemned to the eternal hell C. The judgment of man will be by the Father and witnessed by  His holy angels.

THE GLORY OF OUR REDEMPTION V:27.  

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death        before they see the kingdom of God.

 A. Some commentary writers believe that Jesus is speaking of Peter, James, And John.     

1. Eight days later they would go to the mountain with Jesus and witness His transformation while speaking with Moses and Elija

]2. The three disciples would get a glimpse of heaven.

3. These three disciples would meet their deaths proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. B. For their encouragement and confirmation of their faith, Peter, James, and John got a message from the Father;

Luke 9:34-36 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, \”This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.\”   

• 1. Sometimes when you are meditating on the Word, God will give you a clearer understanding that will confirm your faith.   
• 2. When you walk in the light of Jesus, His Word will be illuminated.