May 6am, 2001    “Who do you say that Jesus is?” Mat. 16:13-19

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church.

 Communion.  What does the world say today about Jesus?  He was a great teacher, a miracle worker, a good man, a great leader, but you will never hear the world say that He is the only begotten Son of God.  No matter what the world says about Jesus.  The real question of the hour is, Who do you say that Jesus is?  Do you believe what the Bible says that Jesus is?  What does it say?  What do you say?

 Scripture Text:  Matt 16:13 (KJS) 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. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {Peter: this name signifies a rock} 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 1.  He is the Christ the Son of the Living God.  (at his baptism):  He came to do the will of the Father and to make the Only true, God accessible to all who believe.  He is God in the flesh who made his dwelling among us. 

Matt 3:16 (KJS) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 2.  He is the Bread of Life.  He is the food that we need to live eternally.

John 6:33 (KJS) For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

As the bread of life He comes from the earth and gives life to all who partake of Him.  Not only the physical life, but also the Spiritual life that overcomes the final enemy called death.  As the bread of life he would have to be broken and torn apart before he could be taken in and strengthened those who would believe. Why, because He loves us with an everlasting love.   (Tear apart the loaf of bread that represents the body of the Lord, then serve the bread to those participating in the communion service.  Take and eat all together. ) 

 3.  He is the One who was crushed for our sins. 

Matt 26:27 (KJS) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Before the juice of grapes can be drunk they must be crushed.  He is the grape that was crushed in our place.  By the law of God there could be no forgiveness of sins without the sacrifice of an innocent life.  Jesus is our sacrifice.  (Crush the cluster of grapes and then distribute the cups of grape juice to the congregation to be drunk together.)