August 24 - But who do you say that I am?

In the gospels we’ve been walking with Jesus and his disciples, and he has taught us some lessons on “faith”. A few weeks ago, Jesus gave his disciples an impossible assignment - You feed this big crowd. They discovered that if they gave what they had, and worked following Jesus instructions, they could do the impossible. They had to trust His word, and follow it.

The next week, Peter was bold enough to try walking on water. Jesus invited him out on to the water, and Peter bravely got out of the boat, trusting that with Jesus the impossible could be possible. When Jesus asks you to do something, he gives you the power. But then Peter’s faith failed him, he began to doubt and to sink below the surface, and drowned. No he didn’t drown because he cried out to the Lord, who reached out to save him. If in faith we try but fail, the Lord will be there for us.

Then last week we saw an example of persistent faith in a woman who just wouldn’t give up hope. She persevered in her request to the Lord despite disappointments and set-backs - even insults. She continued to trust and expect from the Lord and she was not disappointed.

In each case faith was the key to releasing the power of God. That faith was expressed in obedience to Jesus’ word.

This week Jesus says to his disciples - and to us:

“Now that you’ve listened to my word, witnessed my work - seen the power that flows from faith - who do you say that I am?

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16:16

Next question: Now what difference is that going to make in your life?

The pastor posed rhetorical question like that and paused too long. So a little girl raised her hand and said: “I give up. You tell us, preacher.”

I won’t answer my own question, I’ll let Paul do it:

By the mercies of God, present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.” (Message translation)

Give yourself to God by placing your life under the Lordship of Christ - which means living according to his teaching everyday.

Actually you say you want to do this every Sunday, when after the offering you pray:

Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, our possessions...

We offer ourselves to God in thanksgiving - we dedicate our whole lives to God. We pray for His help that we may walk in His ways and delight in His will.

The Christian faith is not simply another religious practice to be taken up and carried out alongside other commitments. Rather accepting Jesus as Lord defines who we are and shades those other commitments.

How would my life have to change if I really followed Jesus as my Lord and Savior?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. 12:2

“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.” (Message translation)

It doesn’t say transform your self, but rather be transformed by having your mind renewed and refreshed by God’s Word and Spirit. Let Christ’s teaching change your “mind-set” - your attitudes.

When you prayerful read the Bible - especially the teaching of Jesus - it begins to change the way you think. It gives you a different perception of things, as you begin to view them from his point of view. The gospel has real power to bring about change. Study His word and you will begin to have the attitude of Christ. Begin to see with the eyes of Christ.

Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, Christ brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Message translation)

In a world often dominated by self-interest, followers of Jesus’ way are generous. They are willing to give of themselves rather than just taking for themselves.

While others may say “don't get mad, get even”, the master’s followers speak words of forgiveness - valuing reconciliation over retribution.

Others may be harsh in judging others, but the Lord’s disciples instead practice understanding and compassion.

Instead of gossip, Christians speak words of encouragement. Worship and praise replaces criticism and complaint.

The Christian belongs to God and operates with the mind-set, the attitudes, that have been shaped by the gospel of Christ.

Jesus praised Peter for His confession of faith, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:17,18

Jesus links Peter’s confession of faith to the church. Peter said: “You are the Christ, the son of God” And Jesus said: “On this rock - this confession of faith - I will build my church.” Thus, it would seem that it is pretty hard to separate believing in Jesus from His church.

Notice who builds the church. Christ says on this rock I will build my church. It is His church - he builds it - we are building materials he uses. Jesus continues to have an active role in constructing the Christian church. We are the building blocks Christ uses, as Peter later wrote, Like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5

Each one of you is a building block of the church.

As members of the church, we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. Romans 12:4,5 Message translation

Individual members have received varying gifts and abilities - and should exercise those gifts and make use of those talents. These gifts and abilities, which differ both in kind and quantity according to the grace given us (v.6), exist for the service of the church community as a whole, and need to be exercised within it. We are to act according to the measure of faith God has assigned (v.3).

“Who do you say that I am - And what difference does it make in your life?”

We are each challenged to respond to Christ. Faith in Christ is expressed in your daily life. Faith shapes how you talk and how you act.

If Jesus is messiah and Lord, we are called to serve Him. Today’s lessons show us that faith finds fulfillment in service to Christ in His church.

Christ is building His church - and calls you to be a building block, using your gifts and talents in service - joining with others in the work of the Christian community. We are each called to be part of His mission.

On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 16:18

In Jesus day, teachers of the Bible called the scribes wore a belt on which hung some keys. They symbolized the power of the teacher to unlock - to open up - knowledge from the scriptures.

The Keys of the Kingdom given to the church are the teachings of Jesus: His teaching is the key to living a good life, an abundant life - The key to finding meaning and purpose in life.

As we follow Jesus, as we put his teaching into practice, we find that they have an intrinsic authority and power.

That is His offer to his followers - a share in the power of the Holy Spirit

a power so great that it provides the ability to live victoriously as children of God, because it’s the power that can transform our lives, and renew our minds.

a power that would enable believers to do the mighty works of Christ, and to experience the energy of God flowing in and through their own lives.

a power so tremendous, that with it, nothing is impossible, and without it, nothing we do has any eternal value or significance.

Christ gives us the power to be all that God calls us to be.