A Most Important Question
Apologies for the inconsistent audio
Introduction
Jesus asks the most important question …
… about eternity
Reading Luke 9:18-36
Who do the people of Cardiff say Jesus is? (v18-19)
Different things – examples
The people of Israel:
John the Baptist risen from the dead – his message was repent
Elijah risen again – the Elijah figure was actually John the Baptist
One of the prophets risen again
What about you?
Jesus has put His disciples in the spotlight
Peter answered – the Messiah
It was not flesh and blood that revealed this – but God the Father
If you do not know – ask God
Jesus warned the disciples not to reveal this to anyone (v21)
They understood who He was
They did not understand what He had come to do
They had a militaristic mis-understanding
Jesus explained His mission (v22)
To go to the cross
The only way to save sinners
To be rejected, crucified and to rise on the third day
To follow Jesus (v23)
You must deny yourself
It is not self-denial but deny self
Not putting ourselves but Jesus first
Jesus first, others second, yourselves last
You must daily take up your cross
Dying to your old life
A decision to follow Jesus
Daily because there is no place for ‘me’ time
Become His disciple
Christianity is all about Christ – not about us
It is not a wealth, health and prosperity gospel
Infact, they could not get rid of Jesus fast enough
Our lives (v24)
You can try and get away with life – but lose it
Whoever loses His life for Jesus will save their life
Selfishness is not the way to happiness
Consider the spiritual dimension
Consider the math
Worldly profit (v25)
Example of St Tropez
We are body and soul
Our soul is eternal
If we gain everything in this world – our soul is still more valuable
The price of our soul was the price Jesus paid to redeem it
God laid down His life to redeem us
We should ask Jesus to show us the value of our soul
Our worldly attitude (v26)
If we are ashamed of Jesus in this life – He will be ashamed of us in eternity
Our attitude to Jesus in this life will determine His attitude to us in heaven
Some people will get it / be saved before Jesus even dies (v27)
God will break into some peoples lives
Personal testimony and example
The Christian life is not boring!
We do not see and then hear – we hear and then see
The transfiguration (v28-29)
His deity begins to shine through
The apostles begin to see God’s unapproachable light
The appearance of the prophets (v30)
Revealed to the apostles by the Holy Spirit
They are reflecting the glory and splendor of Jesus
Moses and Elijah speaks about Jesus’ work of salvation
Peter’s reaction (v32-33)
It is good to be here … let us build three shelters
Jesus is not on the same level of Moses and Elijah – He is the Son of God
Peter did not understand what he was saying
God the Father’s presence (v34-45)
This is my Son – listen to Him
Listen to Jesus
Jesus remains (v36)
Moses and Elijah had returned to heaven
Jesus commanded them to silence until He had risen from the dead
Jesus’ Crucifixion was special – the who and the why
In His one life and one death – the forgiveness of sin
Ask Jesus to save you today