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).