The Seekers, the Savior, and the Saints

Text: Luke 9:7-20

Introduction:

1. Division is talked about in America a lot right now.
2. Long before there was debate and opinions over the morals of an American politician or what wars are considered just– There was a debate over the question: Who is Jesus?
3. In Luke 12 we will talk about Jesus’ words as he said that he would bring division.
4. Who is the person of Jesus?
5. Is he Elijah (Mic 4:5-6)

Mic 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

1. John the Baptist  (Luke 9:7).
2. The prophet (Deut 18:15-19).

Deut 18:15-19 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’  And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

1. People are still divided today on who Christ is.
2. A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
3. Another way to say this is, ‘What you have to say about Jesus is crucial.”
4. Scripture teaches clearly that Jesus is God.
5. So what you say about him determines whether you believe scripture.
6. How we live our lives de
7. Today we will discuss, “Who do you believe Jesus is?”
8. While this question about Jesus is simple. It is not simplistic and its impact is massive.
9. The people who know their God will as Daniel said, “Stand firm and take Action.”

Main Thought: To Follow Christ you must see him truly

Our goal is to know the truth.

Scripture teaches that Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life. And that no one goes to God the father but through Him.

3 people or groups of people from this passage in hopes of better understanding who Jesus is.

Outline:

1. The Seekers
2. Herod- was the regional leader of the day (7-9).
3. Back story
4. He had married his brother's wife (Herodius) and as a result had been opposed by John the Baptist.
5. Herod put John the Baptist to death.
6. Herod’s Guilt
7. The misidentifying of Jesus (7-8)
8. The blood of John rested on the hands of Herod.
9. Perhaps he dealt with guilt .
10. Not sure- we are sure he was guilty.
11. Herod would one day get his wish and meet Jesus
12. Herod’s Demise
13. Ultimately Herod would be identified by some as a God (Acts 12:20-23).
14. He was killed for his acceptance of Worship (Acts 12:23).
15. The crowds that seek (VS 11, 18-19).
16. The need of the moment far outweighed the resources (vs 12-13).
17. Jesus could have left the disciples out of this instead he brought them into the mission
18. He tells them to feed the masses.
19. The humble offering of a young boy's lunch was All Jesus needed to accomplish his mission.
20. That day there were many seekers but one boy with an offering.
21. The seekers we come to find didn’t understand who Christ was (vs 18-19).
22. They too seemed to be looking for a sign-   

Matthew 16:4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

Matt 12:40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

1. Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  - God rewards those who seek him

Side note: Old Testament echoes

• Breaking the crowds into groups of 50– (vs 14-15).
• Ministry of Moses (Ex 18:21 Deut 1:15) 
• Ministry of Elijah (1 Kings 18:13)
• Bread in a remote place 
• Manna in the Wilderness (Ex 16:14-15)
• The twelve baskets gathered
• Reminiscent of the twelve tribes
• The point of these echoe– Jesus is able to provide richly for Israel.

2.The Savior (11-17)

1. Actions
2. Welcomed them (vs 11)
3. He had pulled away from the crowds but when they followed he welcomed them.
4. Taught them (vs 11)
5. Spoke to them of the kingdom of God 
6. He healed them (vs 11)
7. He fed them (vs 16)
8. Summary: He did more than they could have asked for.
9. Nature- 
10. Good
11. He cared for these people- All of his actions demonstrate his love
12. He met all of there needs.
13. Selflessness of Jesus is on display
14. Divine
15. Luke wrote this book so that we may have certainty regarding Jesus
16. The prevailing opinion of Jesus is illogical 

3.The Saint (Luke 9:18-20)

1. Who do you say that I am?
2. Peter acted as the mouthpiece for the group (like he did so often).
3. The Christ of God
4. Who do you say Christ is?
5. Rejecting Christ in your heart does nothing to determine truth.
6. Romans 10: 9-11 if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 
7. Those who are settled on the reality of who Christ is live it out in daily life.