Who Do You Say I am? Part I

Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”

• Think about integrity and duplicity through this topic how does it fit in.

Luke 9:18-20 “ Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 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.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.””

If you asked your family or close friends who you were what would they say?  How would your closest friend describe you?  What would coworkers say who you were? Would they immediately say what you would hope?

• It was obvious to the disciples after traveling with Jesus for many years who he was. Why was this so obvious?

Luke 7: 20-23 “When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.””

How did Jesus answer their question about who he was?
He answered who he was by highlighting what he was doing.
- Jesus wasn’t in the business a bragging or proclaiming publicly but he also knew that those paying attention would recognize him for the Messiah too.

John 14: 8-14 “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

• Again, Jesus points out what he has been doing.  He also is challenging Philips question because “I have been among you such a long time.” you should know who I am.

- This also implies constancy from Jesus. Every day he was doing, and saying the same things and it should have been obvious to Philip who he was.

- what about you?  Is it obvious who you are to others?  Is your character consistent day after day?  Can others trust that you will be who you say you will be.

1 Thess 2: 1-12 “You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

• 7 times in this passage Paul asserts what the Thessalonians knew about him.

• Just like Jesus.  His people knew him by what he did and how we treated others.

• This specific section is so inspiring because it depicts Paul confidence in his own example to them and it is a high standard.

• Because I know many people are watching me, I am constantly asking myself. Am I being a good example in my words, and speech.  Am I upholding the example God would want of me?  How are my actions and words impacting others perception of the church and GOD?

• So as a Christian what do you want to be known by?
  -  faithful, trustworthy, hardworking, wise, always helpful, a good friend, a good father, a good student, dependable, a hero in the faith, …..

• Are you known by that?

• In what areas are you known by that are less than Godly?
  - temper, hot headed, opinionated, too hard, lazy, ...

• In what areas can you grow on constancy and raise the bar to be a better example?

• Integrity vs duplicity comes full circle here.  Can you be counted on? Are you who you say you are?

Proverbs 20:11 Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?

In addition think about...Matt 25:21 (Talents), Paul calling others to follow his example (legacy over and over).

Renewal 1/5/25

Anyone have any New years resolutions?  Mine is to be less lazy at home and just plain consistent with what I do work, working out, time in Bible, time with wife, teaching kids Bible… Just consistent!

Does the new year and its resolutions feel good and exciting to you?

For me, new years is a time to recommit to renew to start fresh. It is a time we can hit the reset button and start over.

God is the God of renewal, of Rebirth, and taking nothing and making something out of it right?  I believe we need a reboot for 2017 so I am equally excited about the New Years!  Often people will come to me struggling in one way or the other. Lack of motivation, falling into same sin over and over, not sharing faith.  I am often reminded of this scripture in Revelations.

Rev 3: 1- 3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Remember therefore what you have received!  

There are over 200 references to remembering in the Bible. God knows the we often forget so he tells us over and over to remember.

Deu 4:10 “Remember the day you stood before the Lord.” Deu 5:15 “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt…” 1 Chron 16:12 : Remember the wonders he has done…”  Many of these verses and many more are pointing god’s people back to him.

David after his adultery with Bathsheba gives a good example…

Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

In the first half David is confessing his sin and recognizes his need for God.  The second half he is rejoicing because of God grace and his need for him!  The tone changed from confession and shame of sin to an overwhelming desire to be equipped to do more for God!  

This blows me away and challenges me to remember how much I need and how much I should want to be equipped by God!

So some questions to think through as you prepare to be renewed in the new year.

1) Do you remember what God has done for you?  Is that memory real or far off in your mind.

2) Does it motivate you to be different.

3) How will you be different this week while praying for a renewed spirit?

4) If we are really imitating David’s heart to repent and then be equipped what can we do, what can this group do how will this year be different from other years?