The Gospel of Mark

Who Do You Say I Am? (Mark 8:27-30)

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Who Do You Say I Am?

The Most Important Question: The Gospel of Mark 8:27 to 30

 

Have you ever been asked a thought-provoking question, like . . .

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?

If your life were a movie, which actor would you want to play you?

If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be, and why?

What is the ideal dream job for you?

In your time machine, where and when would you travel to?

If you had only one choice, would you rather stop time or fly?

What one item should you throw away, but probably never will?

Questions are important, but there is one question that stands out from all other questions, since this question determines your eternal destiny. This one question actually separates those who spend eternity in heavenly joy, and those who’ll spend eternity in torment in Hell. This single question is the most important reality in your life now, and in your eternity forever.

Your coming funeral will be one of joy, or one of deep sorrow on the basis of your response to this question. And it’s not verbally answering this question that saves you, but your life response to this question that’ll make all the difference. Like answering, “Is this ship sinking?” will not rescue you–it will be answering, “Yes,” then stepping into the lifeboat. That will save you. Answering “Is this building on fire?” is not enough–but answering, “Yes, it’s on fire,” then grabbing the only rescue ladder.

It is not enough to answer, “Who is Jesus?” with an answer. It is that you actually put your entire life in His hands to forgive you from your sins and rescue you from God’s eternal judgment. And this is the question Jesus asks His men in Mark 8:27 to 30. Turn there and follow along in your outline.

It is the last year of Jesus’ earthly ministry–from now on He’ll be preparing His men for His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, and the world-changing ministry that follows. So our Lord takes a journey where they can be undisturbed, and asks them the most important question in Mark 8:27 to 30. Stand with me in honor of the Word of God, and read this passage with me–and as you do, notice the three questions that make up the outline.

1  Who do PEOPLE say Jesus is?

2  Who do YOU say Jesus is?

3  Why they must not yet SHARE the truth with others?

Mark 8:27, “Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 28 They told Him, saying, ‘John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.’ 29 And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’ 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.”

Let’s pray. “Lord, give us a clear picture of exactly Who You are. May we see your glorious character and person, and be awed. May our worship of you be all in as living sacrifices. And may everyone here not merely answer this key question, but may everyone here embrace the answer with their lives. Give those of us who have, greater boldness to call others to answer this question which determines their eternal destiny. Amen”

#1  Who do PEOPLE say Jesus is?

The Scriptures alone reveal the person of Christ. And today we’ve arrive at a watershed passage–it is the hinge that turns the course of the gospel of Mark. It is Peter’s confession of who Christ is. This entire gospel was written with an urgency to reveal the true identity of Jesus Christ to Roman readers. Look at Mark 1:1, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” But in chapter 8, most are still not sure who Jesus is. The crowds didn’t know who He was.

Look at Mark 1:27, “They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this?’”

Yet in Mark 2:12, “We have never seen anything like this.”

The religious leaders were angered over Him.

Mark 2:7, “Who can forgive sins?” 3:6, “They began conspiring how they might destroy Him.” In 3:22, “They said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebub!’”

His own family thought He was too fanatical.

Mark 3:21, “His family said, ‘He has lost His senses.’”

And in 6:2 to 3, His own hometown took offense at Him.

The disciples were puzzled.

In 4:41, “’Who then is this?’” And 6:52 adds, “Their heart was hardened.”

Up until this point in Mark’s gospel, very few know who He is.

Yet in Mark 1:11, “A Voice from Heaven . . .”–His Father knew.

And the demons knew in 1:24–“‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!’”

And 1:34, “He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.”

And 3:12, “He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.”

But for most, His identity as God in the flesh goes undetected. Up to this point in the gospel of Mark, the only title the disciples used of the Lord was “Teacher”, in 4:38.

Yet as we approach 8:27, that all changes. From this point on, this gospel moves towards the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus is no longer veiled nor vague–now the Lord is being very clear and direct with His men. Jesus has been telling His men they’re spiritually deaf and blind. Remember Mark 8:18 “’Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?’”

Then Christ showed them their partial blindness about Him, while healing a blind man in two stages. Stage one, where the blind-man couldn’t see clearly, just like the disciples didn’t see Christ clearly. Then stage two, where he could see perfectly, which is where the disciples need to be, and where you and I must be.

Do you know who Christ is–not merely in your head, but in your heart? Not merely in belief, but shown in your behavior? Each of you face this every day–people who answer correctly with their mouth, but their heart and life say differently. They say Christ is God, but they clearly live as their own God.

We’ve been studying through Mark, and we’re now seeing a series of key events that will lead us to the true identity of Jesus Christ. And the ramifications of His true identity are enormous—it’s bigger than politics, the Dodgers, Lakers, or even Green Bay. This is bigger than your grades, your children, your college team, your spouse, your boyfriend or girlfriend or your breed of dog. This answer is more important than your lifee–than living. Who do people say Jesus is?

First  The RELIGIOUS setting, to discuss Christ’s identity  Verse 27a

Mark 8:27, “Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi.” The men have left Bethsaida and are now headed north into a region saturated in the religions of that day. It is the perfect place to ask, “Who do people say that I am?”, because this is the place to make a black and white comparison. By asking this key question while they head into this region, the Lord is comparing religious dirt clods to the Hope diamond.

Against the contrast of the black velvet of religious error, the Lord will show off the 20-carat flawless diamond of truth. In a region filled with idols, the Lord will reveal His true identity. The city of Caesarea Philippi was originally named Paneas after the Greek god Pan, who according to pagan mythology, was born in a nearby cave. Caesar Augustus had given the region to Herod the Great, who built a temple there in honor of His emperor.

Herod’s son, Philip the Tetrarch, inherited the land, greatly enlarged the city and renamed it after Caesar. Philip added his own name, Philippi, both to gain honor for himself and to distinguish this Caesarea from the very cool Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, west of Jerusalem. So Caesarea Philippi is 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee, on a beautiful plateau near the headwaters of the Jordan River. This place is filled with the most delicious natural springs–the source being the beautiful snow-covered Mount Hermon, rising more than 9,000 feet above sea level just a few miles away.

Caesarea Philippi is but a few miles from the ancient Jewish city of Dan, which for centuries had been considered the northernmost boundary of the Promised Land, and a place of great religious compromise. Dan was the last outpost of Israel in the north, and had always been susceptible to pagan influence. The ten tribes set up their high places. The location offered Jesus and the disciples welcome relief from the hot Galilean lowlands, the pressure from religious leaders, plus any threat from Herod Antipas.

From Luke 9:18, we learn Jesus posed this all-important question to the disciples just after He had spent time praying alone, and now Mark 8:27 tells us they had not yet arrived in the city of Caesarea Philippi proper, but were passing through some of the villages on the outskirts. This moment would be just like me taking you all to a huge intersection in Hemet, with a Catholic church on one corner, a Jewish synagogue on another, a Muslim mosque on a third, and a Hindu and Buddhist temple on a fourth.

And next door to all these false temples are compromising Christian churches, feeling-based, consumer-based, entertainment-based, tradition-based—and now for the first time, while standing in the midst of all that error I teach you the Word of God about Jesus Christ being God in the flesh, coming to die for sin on a cross. At this crossroads of heathenism, pagan religion, and Jewish heresy Jesus prays, then confronts His disciples with this question each of them and each of us must answer.

Second  The first IMPORTANT question about Jesus Christ  Verse 27b

Mark 8:27b, “And on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do people say that I am [to be]?’” When leading a discussion, the best way is to begin with a general question, like “What do people think, what’s the general perception, how do others feel about this?” That gets people talking. Then get more specific and personal, like “What do you say?” This is what the Lord does.

Do you see where they’re at in verse 27? They are on the way–they are walking and talking. Again, the most powerful lessons are truly learned in the midst of life, not in a classroom.

The greatest impact the Bible will have on your children will not merely be through family devotions, or a Bible curriculum. It’ll be as you teach them on the way through life. This is exactly what Deuteronomy 6:7 tells Israel’s parents to do. Deuteronomy 6:7, “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

Teach them God’s Word as you walk through life with them. Show them the truth of God’s Word in everything. Show them the Bible is the lens you look at life through at the store, while watching TV, while playing sports, while having fun—teach them on the way. Children are impacted by how you live more than what you say.

Notice verse 27 adds, “He [Jesus] questioned His disciples.” The verb “questioned” informs us this is an ongoing discussion, and remarkably, it was Jesus who “questioned His disciples!” This is different than most rabbis. With rabbis, the students would usually ask the questions, but not now. Why? Because time is running out–the Lord is headed to the cross. The earthly ministry of Christ is coming to a close. The disciples need to embrace the truth of why Jesus has come. They need to understand God has become a man in order to provide the only way anyone can be made right with God now and forever. That Christ is the only way to be forgiven, cleansed, made new, restored, embraced in God’s family, and eternally secure in Heaven. There is only one way, and it’s only through Jesus Christ.

So Jesus gets the discussion going by asking, “Give me your conclusion as to what the people are saying.” The question is, “Who do people say that I am?” What are . . .

Third  The Popular PERCEPTIONS of Jesus Christ  Verse 28

Mark 8:28, “They told Him, saying, ‘John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.’” Perhaps different disciples gave different answers, representing the popular opinions about Christ. The first idea they come up with is “John the Baptist”. Do you remember what Herod thought of Jesus? He believed Jesus was actually John the Baptist back from the dead. Herod felt guilty for beheading John, God’s prophet–so Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist, come back to announce the Messiah.

Remember Mark 6:14, “King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, ‘John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.’” Some of the population had picked up on Herod’s paranoia, and believed Jesus was a reincarnated John the Baptist, resurrected from the grave.

Others believed Jesus was a reincarnated Elijah–why? The last Old Testament prophet, Malachi said this in Malachi 4:5, “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.” This belief is so strong that in modern Jewish Passover celebrations, an empty chair is reserved at the table for Elijah, in the hope of him one day returning to announce the Messiah’s arrival.

Still others said Jesus was “one of the prophets.” And Matthew’s gospel reveals they thought it might be the most revered prophet, Jeremiah back from the dead. Matthew 16:14, “And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’” One commentator puts it this way, “Some of the people perhaps saw in Jesus something of the character and message of John the Baptist. Some saw in Him the fire and intensity of Elijah; still others saw in Him the lament and grief of Jeremiah.”

John the Baptist was popular and bold, Elijah did miracles and spoke the truth uncompromisingly, Jeremiah was both compassionate and longsuffering, and the Lord Jesus was all that, yet much, much more. Now even though they are off with their views of who Christ is, did you catch the significance of what the population did see in Christ? Each description was favorable towards Christ, which was much different than the religious leaders who accused Christ of being empowered by Satan.

They acknowledged something supernatural about Christ. They were impressed by the Lord’s prophetic character and great integrity. With each potential option, they saw Christ as a person who had died but now has risen from the dead. They saw Jesus as the forerunner of the Messiah, but sadly not the Messiah Himself. They pictured Christ as a man empowered by God, uniquely gifted by God, and able to do miracles from God. But all of that falls short of Who Christ is.

They could not deny Christ’s supernatural power, but they would not accept Him as Lord and God–which is just like your school and workplace. All major religions revere Christ, but do not acknowledge Him as God, or the Lord I surrender my life to as His slave. But even worse is the fact that most Christian churches are committed to programs over the person of Christ. Sadly many churches today are more concerned about giving you an emotional experience than equipping you to live like Christ. Many will entertain you, but few will disciple you to follow Christ. Many work at keeping you happy, but few call you to live holy.

I challenge you, FBC–start asking this question Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” In most cases, you’ll hear good opinions of Christ, like, “Oh He’s the Son of God,” or “He’s the Savior who died on the cross for my sins–He’s God.” What you will rarely hear is, “He is my Lord, and I follow Him as His slave.” Or, “He gave me a new heart that only wants to follow Him and obey His Word.”

What demonstrates true conversion? Jesus will make this clear a few verses later. Look at verse 34b, “’If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.’”

Start asking, “Did you die with Christ, do you live for Christ, and tell me how your life demonstrates that you follow Christ?” Too many today have Christianity, but they do not have Christ, the only Savior, the only Lord, the One who died and calls us to die. Who do the people of Menifee, Murrieta and Temecula think Jesus is? But the Lord is not content with people’s opinions, so He now asks . . .

#2  Who do YOU say Jesus is?

Do you have any credentials? Doctors have diplomas on their walls, proving they have had enough schooling to cut on you, prod you and give you drugs. Athletes have diplomas, stats, and experience to establish they can play their sport well. And our Lord Jesus had Messianic credentials–over 300 fulfilled prophecies, healings, undeniable miracles, incredible teaching, defeating every attack of the Pharisees, the confirming baptism by John, the cleansing of the temple, and raising people from the dead. It is clear exactly who Jesus is.

So when people were claiming the office of Messiah in Israel, you had one guy saying, “I memorized the Pentateuch,” another guy saying, “I’ve taught every aspect of theology.” Then you have Jesus showing, “I raise people from the dead.” It was very clear Who Jesus is, and in the light of that clarity the Lord asks . . .

First  The Most IMPORTANT Question about Jesus  Verse 29a

Mark 8:29, “And He [Himself] continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am [to be]?’” This is a strikingly powerful statement in the Greek language. What can’t you see in English? As verse 29 begins, the pronoun “He” (“and He continued”)–that “He” is emphatic (“and He Himself continued”). Mark is emphasizing the Lord’s pointedness and passion. The Lord is intense here–He Himself initiates the dialogue, and He does all He can to lead His men to the truth.

Can you see just how focused the Lord is, looking into each of His disciples eyes? Verse 29, “And He [Himself] continued by questioning them.” The tense of the verb “questioning them” anticipates an answer. Jesus literally kept on questioning them. He expects them to answer this question, and

His desire is to hear the right answer.

Do you see the contrast term “but” in verse 29?

BUT–in contrast to the popular opinions of who Christ is

BUT–in contrast to what other people say

BUT–who do you say Jesus is?

Who do you say? Literally, who do you say ME to be? “You say” is present tense fact–who are you saying me to be? With your life, who do you show me to be? When I’m not around, in conversation, what are you saying? What do you really believe when I am not around? In the language, there is an emphasis on “you”. I believe the NIV captures the essence of it by repeating the word “you”—“but what about you? Who do you say I am?”

Your friends say this, the crowds say this, your religious leaders are saying this, your parents are saying that, your professor says this–but individually, each one of you here today, who do you say I am? The Lord means to call you to open declaration here. God expects you to crystallize your own faith right now. What do you really believe–declare it to all. Who do you follow?

Like at a true baptism–who do you align your life with? Put up or shut up–who is your master? Later in this chapter, Jesus makes certain you understand the right answer is in Mark 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Jesus literally asks, “Who are you saying me to be? Who am I?” Not, “What do I do” or “What do I do for you?”–but “Who am I, my person, what do you see about me? Who am I to you?”

If I had time this AM, I’d go around with a microphone and ask you, because God is asking each of you this question right now. Ask each other on the patio, in the car, and at lunch today. Ask each member of your family–every single one, parent and child. Students and singles, ask each friend today–ready or not, no delay. What is your life response to, “Who is Jesus Christ?” How will you answer? What will you say? Will your answer be merely a belief, or will it be a life conviction? Will your answer be a truth you hold, or a transformation that holds you? Men and women, Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”

Second  The CORRECT answer about Jesus Christ  Verse 29b

Mark8:29, “Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” This is the inspiration of God to Peter. It is a confession by Peter, but its inspiration is from God. The Father revealed it. This confession by Peter reveals the true identity of Jesus Christ. Only twice before does Mark mention Peter, who is actually behind the writing of this gospel. But now Peter will be prominent.

The gospels tell us Peter answers for all of the men. Peter was ready to answer, ready to speak, and ready to declare, which is both a great strength and a weakness to be careful of. Peter uttered his own conviction that ten others affirmed. Eleven meant what they said, but one did not mean what he said.

Judas later demonstrated he didn’t affirm Christ as God–though he did want Christ as a political Messiah, Judas did not want Christ as a Savior from sin, nor a Lord to obey. Judas believed, but did not have faith. If he lived today, Judas would have prayed a prayer, gone to church, and sang songs of praise–but Judas didn’t follow Christ. Judas was not transformed by Christ. Judas didn’t surrender his life to Christ. Hopefully you are not like Judas.

As Peter keeps saying, “You are the Christ.” The Greek Christos (“Christ”) translates the Hebrew term for “Messiah” which means the “Anointed One” of God. At the close of the Old Testament, the word “anointed” assumed a special meaning. It denoted the ideal king anointed and empowered by God to deliver His people and establish His literal earthly kingdom. The Jews understood this title as describing the greater son of David, who would restore the kingdom of David and rule on this earth.

Jesus is the Christ–the long-awaited deliverer of Israel, the “anointed one” has come. What a confession! They got it right. It took them 2½ years, but they finally came to the right confession! But there was a concern, even a danger with this term, “Christ”–anointed one, Messiah. What was the danger? At this time, because the Jewish people viewed the title Christ, anointed one, Messiah as the coming worldwide ruler–so in the gospels Jesus was reluctant to use the title because the Jews viewed this office only in nationalistic terms.

The danger in the title “Christ” is that it would automatically cause the Jewish people to expect that the Messiah would immediately overthrow the Romans and rule the world from Jerusalem. Now Jesus did not reject the title when Peter declared it–Jesus didn’t say, “No, Peter–you guys are wrong!” He claimed the title Messiah given to Him—“He is the Messiah.”

In fact in Matthew, the Lord joyously embraces this accurate confession and esteems Peter for it. Jesus says in Matthew 16:17, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” God revealed the truth about Christ to Peter. Our gospel writer, Mark, probably left the Lord’s comments to Peter out, because Peter who is behind Mark’s writing was too humble to have him mention it.

The key for Mark here was to open the door for Christ to explain the importance of the coming cross–the God-man’s death for sin, then His resurrection from the dead. But because the masses were failing to perceive His true identity, and the religious leaders were hostile to Christ–it was essential that His disciples formally accept their commitment to Him as the promised Messiah, and later as God Himself in the flesh. But the nationalistic expectations of freeing Israel from pagan Roman rule was so strong, Jesus avoided the misunderstanding by avoiding the public use of the title Messiah, which helps us understand . . .

#3  Why they must not SHARE with others yet–The Cross

Mark 8:30, “And He warned them to tell [they might say] no one about Him.” Thus far we have seen . . .

ONE  the popular perceptions of Christ

TWO  Peter’s confession of Christ as the Messiah, and now

THREE  in verse 30, a private command

Knowing who Christ is, is absolutely essential since only God can help mankind, and only a perfect man can die for our sins. Yet Christ charged them in verse 30–He warned them not to tell. The Greek word warning is used 29 times in the New Testament, implying censure. Do not make open declaration of who Christ is now. Before, in Mark 3:12, the Lord earnestly warned them not to tell Who He was. Here, in verse 30, tell no man about Him, that Jesus is the Christ.

That seems odd at first, yet Jesus is saying the time for declaration will come later, but not now. The Lord is purposefully avoiding the misunderstanding of His identity as Messiah. Why? Because the Jews want a Messiah for political purposes, as a conqueror and liberator from Rome. To declare Christ as the Messiah would automatically  cause false hopes to all those who were expecting the Messiah to overthrow Rome–and the vast majority were.

Plus, the disciples were only halfway home–they weren’t ready yet. They had His person down, but not His purpose or price. They understood He was the Messiah, but not His mission. His men had not yet embraced the whole truth. They clearly saw Who the Christ is, but they do not see enough to understand the necessity of the cross. And precious family, His Messianic mission cannot be understood apart from His sacrificial and substitutionary death.

It was prophesied all over the Old Testament, like Zechariah 12:10—“They will look on Me whom they have pierced.” And Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” The Messiah had to die for sin.

Why be silent, men? Because you must first understand the true Messiah, the God man, Jesus Christ has come to die. Look at the very next verse in Mark 8:31, Jesus tells them, “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

This is the reason for the silence. It’s not merely that others did not understand, but the disciples failed to grasp the Lord’s Messianic mission–His coming death and resurrection. For Mark, and for us, it is only in the shadow of the cross and subsequent resurrection that His identity can be truly understood. So be silent for the people’s sake, for your sake, and for my sake. And Jesus says, let me explain to you what I must do for you. What is the Messiah’s mission? For the answer to that, you have to come back next week. Do you know Who Jesus is?

1  A true believer is willing to proclaim Christ PUBLICLY

Matthew 10:32 and 33, “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

No one bats a thousand, but at some point authentic believers will speak up and publicly confess Christ. You’ll say to unbelievers, I am a Christ follower. You’ll say to others at work, at school, on your team, in your classroom—“Christ is my Lord and Savior!” Have you? Because genuine Christians do. Have you turned to Christ in repentance and faith?

2  A true believer is willing to be CONTRARY

To fly in the face of popular opinion, and to speak the truth boldly . . .

The population said Jesus was a great man–The disciples began to see Jesus as the God-man

So-called church going Christians say, “Jesus is merely my Savior”–True believers live Jesus is my Lord

Make-believers claim they have Christ, but live like the world–True believers live like Christ and reject the world

Phony believers follow the example of other phony Christians–Genuine believers follow the exhortation of the Word of God

Are you willing to stand up and live differently than others?

3  A true believer will live UNIQUELY like Christ

Jesus expects you to obey His Word in Luke 6:46, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Jesus Christ is Lord, He is in charge–He’s your Master. You don’t make Him Lord, He is Lord. Have you submitted as slave? Is He the One you follow, or do you obey only yourself?

One of the greatest sins among Christians today is saying what is true about Jesus with our conversations, but lying about Him with our choices. Is Christ the Lord of your internet consumption? Is He Lord over your desires, thoughts, family and friends? Is He Lord over your hopes for a boyfriend or girlfriend? If you truly believe He’s the Christ, He will change your behavior.

The Lord Jesus Christ does not want to change your vocabulary, He will transform your soul. He is not simply trying to get you to say He is Lord, but to confess with your life He is Lord. A true believer doesn’t merely believe Christ will save you from Hell. You will depend upon Him so He changes you from acting like Hell.

4  A true believer will be MOTIVATED by the Cross

Some of you are beating yourselves up with guilt right now, and you have forgotten you are forgiven for all your sins, forgiven for every time you failed to speak or live unique or live contrary to this world. All your sins are forgiven–past, present and future. You live by the grace of God.

That is not a license to sin, but a motivation to obey. God is not going to get you, God has already gotten you. He punished His own Son instead of you, and it is finished. And because of His great love, grace and forgiveness, you will want to speak up, stand up, and be different. Be motivated by what Jesus has done for you, believer. Who do you really say Jesus Christ is? Let’s pray.

About Chris Mueller

Chris is the teaching pastor at Faith Bible Church - Murrieta.

1 Comment

  1. Lily on March 4, 2024 at 5:22 am

    I Just wanted to tell you how the Holy Spirit is working through you. My friend and I have another friend who is dying of brain cancer who says she is alright with God and has for years, but she has lived her life doing what she wanted, there has been no change in her life by Jesus. I told my friend that when I see the friend who knows she is dying I was going to ask her, you say Jesus is your Savior, but how is He Your Lord. My other friend said we can not judge her salvation. I just told her I felt called to ask her so I am going to if the Lord gives me the chance. Her devotion this morning was this and she sent it to me. Perfect timing! Thank you and thank the Lord!

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