Who is Jesus? This is the question we are asking and answering today, and the way we answer this question changes everything. Our answer affects everything we believe about our faith. This is not a new question. In fact, Jesus, Himself asked His disciples the same question. Today we will look at Peter's response to this question, and as we study his answer, we will find if we are in or out. Our answer to this question makes all the difference.
Who do you think a lot of people would say Jesus is today?
Bible Study Questions
1. Why is the question, "Who is Jesus?" so important for us to answer today?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Matthew 16:13-14. According to the disciples' answer to Jesus' question, who did people of their day think that Jesus was? What were they missing?
Matthew 16:13-14 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Matthew 16:13-14
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
3. Read Matthew 16:15-19. What is the significance of the question Jesus asked in this verse?
Read Matthew 16:15-19
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
4. What is the significance of Peter's answer according to verses 17-19?
Application
1. As you consider what people today think about Jesus, what is missing?
2. What are the implications of the statement "Jesus is Lord" in our own lives?
3. As you evaluate your own life, how would you answer the question Jesus asked Peter? "Who do you say that I am?" Why?
Jesus is the best friend we can introduce anyone to. Who do you know who needs the hope of Christ? Please make plans to invite that person to one of our Christmas Eve services. Share this with your group, and then spend time as a group praying for these people. Pray that God would be working and moving in each of their hearts as you all make plans to share Christ with them.
Peter's confession about Jesus in Matthew 16 carried a heavy amount of significance. As Jesus ministered for three years, many people had opinions about who Jesus was. Some thought He was a prophet; others thought He had come to bring trouble. Some did not know what to believe about Jesus. Peter declaring that Jesus was "Christ" was weighty in light of these differing opinions. Let's take some time to look at the name for Jesus, "Christ," which Peter used in Matthew 16:16 when He described who Jesus was.
Definition:
The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament explains that the Greek word for "Christ," means "fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ."
Scripture Passages:
To truly understand the significance of Peter's confession in Matthew 16, we have to look back at Old Testament Scripture and what it taught about the coming Messiah.
Read Isaiah 53:1-6.
What did this verse teach about the coming Savior?
How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy?
Read Isaiah 61:1-2.
With both of these verses in mind, what is the significance of Peter proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ who was prophesied about in the Old Testament?
Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the long-awaited Savior, and this changed everything. It is almost Christmas, and there is no better time to introduce our friends and family who are far from Christ than now. Think for a few minutes about who you can invite to one of our Christmas Eve services on December 23rd and 24th. Share who you will invite to join you, and as a group, pray for these people that God would work in their lives so that they, too, will know Christ, the long-awaited Messiah who brings life and light to all who believe in Him.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Luke 2:10 But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."
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