Gospel 101.

3
Christ is the Answer
Text: Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do
men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art] John the Baptist:
some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say
ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living
God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Key Verse: "Whom say ye that I am?" vs. 15
Introduction:
Joke: Who was that man? "I thought he was a little familiar to be the minister."
Throughout the centuries many have asked, "Who is Jesus?" Was he just a man, or prophet.
Was he God? The question is merely a thought until it impacts me, because the answer of
who Jesus is to me is the difference between heaven and hell, condemnation and
forgiveness. Who then is Jesus to you?

I. The Eternal Question Matthew 16:13

A. The Disciples face the question of who Jesus is.
B. Everyone must face the question of who Jesus is.

II. The Natural Answer Matt. 16:14

A. The answer of men of the past.
B. The answer of men of today is still wrong.

III. The Supernatural Answer Matt. 16:15-17

A. Peter answers Jesus from his heart.
B. What is our heart's answer?

All here today must face the question, "Who is Jesus?" For those who have confessed
Him as Lord, how does that confession change your life now? For those that are lost it is a
question that determines eternity. How will you answer this morning when Jesus asks, "Who do
you say that I am?"

1 The Eternal Question Matthew 16:13

2 The Disciples face the question of who Jesus is.
3 Drawn apart at a critical time in their life.
4 In the regions of Cesarea Philippi
 5 Description by Alfred Edersheim, "Nestling amid three valley on a terrace in the
angle of Mt. Hermon, it is almost shutout of view by cliffs and woods. Every where there
is a wild medley of cascades, mulberry trees, fig trees, dashing torrents, festoons of vines,
bubbling fountains, reeds and ruins, and the mingled music of birds and waters. The
views, sheer down the precipitous sides of the mountain, into the valleys and far away are
magnificent.
6 Into this place Jesus led his disciples to discuss the most importand question of
their time and ours, "Who is Jeus?"
7 Everyone must face the question of who Jesus is.
8 Like disciples, at a time of withdrawal.
9 Like Syro-Phenician woman, a time of need
10 Like those in Acts 2, in a worship service.
11 Or like the thief on the cross, at a time of judgment.
12 Illustration: Harpers Last Convert
Four years after the Titanic went down, a young Scotsman rose in a meeting in Hamilton,
Can. and said, "I am a survivor of the Titanic. When I was drifting alone on a spar that
awful night, the tide brought Mr. John Harper , of Glasgow, also on a piece of wreck near
me. "man, he said, "are you saved?" "no, I said, I am not." He replied. "Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
The waves bore him away but, strange to say brought him back a little later, and he said,
"are you saved now?" "no, I said, I cannot honestly say that I am." He said again,
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, " and shortly after he went
down; and there, alone in the night, and with two miles of water under me, I believed. I
am John Harper's last convert."
Your opportunity to answer the question may not be that physicaly dramatic but is just as
spiritually dramatic. For under you awaits the pits of hell and above you the heights of
heaven all pending on the anwer to the question "Who is Jesus."
13 Transition: This question can be answered in only one of two ways.

14 The Natural Answer Matt. 16:14

15 The answer of men of the past.
16 John the Baptist, recently beheaded
17 Elijah, taken up to heaven in a chariot, prophesied as forerunner.
18 Jeremiah, prophet of repentance.
19 A prophet.
20 The answer of men of today is still wrong.
21 A great man, agnostics and atheists
22 A great moral teacher, Albert Schweitzer
23 A Revolutionary, Mike at work
24 A prophet, The Bahai, "Moses, Jesus and Mohammed were equal prophets, mirroring
God's glory, messengers bearing the imprint of the Great Creator.
25 Scripture.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.
 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus Who gave himself a ransom for all.
1John 5:12 he that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not
life.
26 Illustration The death of Isaac Asimov, one second after he passed into the next
world, he realized there was a God.
27 Gamblers odds, if I'm wrong and they are right then when we die nothing happens
and all is blackness. They won't even get to say I told you so. If I'm right and their
wrong, when we die I go to heaven and eternal life with my saviour Jesus Christ and
those who do not believe go to eternal damnation and torment. Don't you think you
should do all you can to find the answer to the question "Who is Jesus"?
28 Transition: If Jesus is not just a man, teacher or prophet then what is the right
answer?

29 The Supernatural Answer Matt. 16:15-17

30 Peter the spokesman, answers Jesus from his heart.
31 Jesus is the Christ.
32 Greek work Christos
33 From the Hebrew word Messiah, the anointed of God
34 The one hope of Israel
35 The dream and prayer of 4000 years
36 His ministry
37 Freedom Isaiah 61:1-3
38 Healing Isaiah 9:6-7
39 Reconciling Isaiah 53:4-6
40 Peacemaker
41 Ruler
42 The Son of the Living God
43 The Son is equal to the Father, Very God of very God, God in the flesh on earth.
44 He was not just a man, a teacher or a prophet. He was God!
45 Scripture
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I
am.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;
46 Revealed supernaturally by the Father, Himself. Through a personal relationship with
Peter.
47 What is our answer?
48 If not Christ who?
49 Josh Mcdowell in Evidence that Demands a Verdict.
50 Jesus was either a Liar, Lunatic or Lord.
 51 If then he is Christ, if he is Lord, if he is God, then how must I respond?
52 If he is Christ, the champion of freedom, the giver of peace, the creator of the
universe, the reconciler with God then why would I live my life without Him in my
heart?
53 Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
54 If he is God in the flesh then why do I worry, why do I fear?
55 As Romans 8:30 says, " 31 _ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who[can
be] against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
with him also freely give us all things?
56 If he is Lord then why does sin dominate me? Jesus rose from the grave with
death as his conquest.
57 Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin bight be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
58 If he gave his life for me, then why do I hesitate to give my testimony for him?
59 Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
60 It is a question Jesus Himself asks us in the most secret place or our heart, "Who am I to
you?"
Conclusion:
There are two groups here today who must face the question, "Who is Jesus?" For those
who are saved and have confessed him as Lord and saviour then what does that confession
make a difference in your life now? How are you different by knowing Jesus as Lord and
God?

For those that are lost, Who is Jesus? is a question that determines your eternity. If he is just
a man, just a prophet just a teacher to you then you are lost and eternity is dark and filled
with torment for you. If you will accept him as your Lord and Saviour then eternity is filled
with life and joy and fellowship. How will you answer this morning when Jesus asks, "Who
do you say that I am?"