June 14, 2020 Sermon Notes and Slides
6.14.2020
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Sermon Notes
You Are the Christ
Mark 8:27-38
Tony Chute, Interim Pastor
Overview: The midpoint of Mark’s gospel is also a turning point in the ministry of Jesus as His identity and mission are clearly enunciated but initially underappreciated. His wonderful teaching and powerful miracles generated considerable praise among the masses, but Jesus is not simply one prophet among many. Peter correctly perceives that Jesus is more than a prophet, but even he fails to grasp what the prophets foretold about Jesus, namely His suffering, dying, and rising again. Such truths change the dynamic of being a disciple of Jesus, as those who wish to follow Him may also face rejection from the world as they seek to be faithful to ways of the Lord.
01. Everyone who is familiar with the person and work of Jesus must answer the question, “Who do you say that I am?” to which there is but one answer.
02. Everyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus must answer the question, “What is it costing me to be a Christian?” to which there is more than one answer.
Questions for Discussion and Discovery
1. The location where Jesus took His disciples, Caesarea Philippi, was associated with the worship of Baal, the Greek god Pan (from which we get the word “panic”), and Caesar himself. With this in mind, why would it have been appropriate for Jesus to ask His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
2. What is the difference between claiming that Jesus is a prophet and confessing that He is the Christ? What other religions refer to Jesus as a prophet but fail to identify Him as the Christ, or the Son of God in a unique sense?
3. Note the use of the word “must” in Mark 8:31 regarding the suffering and death of Jesus. What does this word tell us about the connection between Old Testament prophecy and Jesus’s ministry? What can we conclude about Jesus’s view of the inspiration of Scripture and obedience to the Father?
4. Based on verse 29, our text teaches that it is insufficient to believe that Jesus is one prophet among many. What other misconceptions about Jesus or being a disciple of Jesus is evident from this text? See verses 34-38. Are there areas where you might need to improve as it relates to knowing and following Jesus?
5. In addition to announcing his own death and resurrection, Jesus also reveals that He will return “in the glory of the Father and the holy angels” (verse 38). What does the return of Jesus tell us about His role at the end of history?
For Further Reading: Stephen Wellum, God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ (Crossway, 2016)