One of the most important questions that you can ask is "Who Is Jesus?" Jesus is the most influential person who has ever lived on this planet and the most controversial. Was he merely a good teacher or was Jesus the Son of God? In this message, we explore the historical evidence to determine the only logical answer to the question of who Jesus was.
Who Is Jesus?
GodQuest – Part 5
Life Church St. Louis – October 30, 2011
Pastor Dan Walker
Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV) [Jesus] asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
1. Examine the ______________
A.Jesus fulfilled _______________
Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us."
B. Jesus claimed to be _________
John 10:30 (NIV) I and the Father are one.
John 10:33 (NIV) "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
C. Jesus claimed to forgive _________
Mark 2:5-7 (NIV) [Jesus] said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
D. Jesus performed ______________
John 10:24-25 (NIV) The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me.
E. Jesus _________ from the dead
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NIV) And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
2. Evaluate the possible _______________
A. Was Jesus only a good ___________?
Luke 18:18-19 (NIV) A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.
B. Was Jesus a __________?
C. Was Jesus a __________?
John 10:20-21 (NIV) Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
D. Jesus was the ________________?
Matthew 26:63-64 (NIV) The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
3. ______________ Jesus yourself
A. Admit your ____________ separates you from God
John 3:36 (NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
B. Believe that Jesus paid your ________ penalty
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
C. Commit your life to ____________ Jesus
Matthew 16:24 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.