What do you believe?

 In New York, a little girl became separated from her mother on the playground. He mother had told her that if she ever needed help she should look for a police officer. The girl looked around and spotted a woman with a badge and approached the officer. After a brief search, the little girl was reunited with her mother. Turns out the 'officer with a badge' was Mariska Hargitay, an actress who plays Officer Olivia Benson on Law and Order - SVU.

Hargitay was on location filming for the TV show, but she stopped production for 20 minutes to help the little girl locate her mother and then console them both. Apparently the girl didn't notice the film crew or cameras, but saw the badge and sought help from who she believed to be an officer.

Over the years we've seen many different actors portray Jesus in various movies and TV shows and in plays. - Max Von Sidow, Victor Garber, Willem Dafoe, Christian Bale, Jim Caviezel, Ewan McGregor, Joaquin Phoenix and even Bella Lugosi - for those who remember him... We've seen Jesus portrayed in media with blue eyes, green eyes, long hair, short hair, dark hair, blonde hair, with a British accent, as a rock star, as a strong man, as a gentle pacifist, and even as a hippie 'Superman' figure in Godspell.

Many of you have seen the TV series 'The Chosen'. I read an interview with the actor, Jonathon Roumie, who portrays Jesus in the series. He admits he's very uncomfortable when people approach him and treat him as if he really is Jesus. People have wept meeting him. Some have acknowledged that they know he's not Jesus, but then still pour out their hearts in confession. They treat him very differently based on who they believe he is - subconsciously or not.

What we believe about a person's identity greatly affects how we respond to them. What do we believe about Jesus? - The actual Jesus? There are people who believe that Jesus was just a good teacher, a moral philosopher, maybe even a prophet or even just one of many religious leaders over the years. But those beliefs don't come from scripture. Some of those ideas may have a basis in the Bible – but none of those things are Biblical. So...what do you believe...

I. About Jesus?

What you believe about Jesus may be the single most important question you have to answer. I'd like you to look at how you respond to Jesus to give yourself an accurate answer to 'what you believe about Jesus'. What you believe about a person's identity affects how you respond to them – so I want you to evaluate not your words, but your actions to answer this question.

We're going to look at a handful of scriptures about Jesus this morning, and I want us to start with this passage from John 1:1-14 (NIV)...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was with God in the beginning. (3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (4) In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (5) The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (6) There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. (7) He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

(8) He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (9) The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (11) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (12) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God –

(13) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

There is so much theological truth about Jesus packed into those few verses. Jesus is God's Word become flesh. Jesus is vastly different from every other person, religious leader or philosopher.

The Bible's claim is that Jesus is in a completely different league from anything or anyone in creation, because Jesus was The One behind creation. - Moses, Abraham, Muhammad, Confucius, the Dalai Lama, Buddha, Gandhi – not a one of them can truly even be compared to Jesus based on what the Bible tells us. Does that fit with what others in the world say about Jesus?

And we know from scripture what the Apostle Peter believed about Jesus. Peter called Jesus...

A. The Christ

Peter, who spent three years learning under Jesus - he saw miracles with his own eyes - Peter understood that Jesus was like no other. We see this in Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV)...

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (14) They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (15) "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" (16) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

The title 'Christ' is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew title 'Messiah'. It means 'The anointed one' – 'God's chosen one'. That's not a title that anyone else can rightfully claim – it's an exclusive title. There can be only ONE Christ. Peter was saying that Jesus was THE ONE chosen by God to save mankind. It's a title that means Prophet, Priest, and King all at the same time. It means that Jesus was THE ONE talked about by all the prophets in the Old Testament years before His birth.

That title takes Jesus out of the realm of 'just a good teacher', or another religious leader. – It's an incredible, outrageous, exclusive claim that puts Jesus miles above any other prophet or leader. And it wasn't just Peter who said it…

B. Jesus said it

Jesus Himself claimed this exclusive title. In His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, we find this claim in John 4:25-26 (NIV)...

The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." (26) Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Jesus placed Himself in a completely different category from any other religious leader. At the very least - it's extremely controversial making such a claim. At the most - it's extremely arrogant or crazy - unless it's true! And Jesus continued to make such bold claims. For instance, Jesus claimed that He is…

II. Equal with The Father

Muhammad claimed to have been a messenger of God. Buddha made claims of enlightenment. Jesus claimed equality with God! That's not something any other sane person would claim - again, unless it's true.

John 5:19-24 (NIV)

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. (21) For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

(22) Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. (24) I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

Jesus claimed He was, and is, The Son of God! Jesus claimed to be The source of life! Jesus didn't just claim to be a messenger or a prophet of God – Jesus claimed equality with God! That's why the religious leaders of the time got so angry with Him. He wasn't just another good teacher – He was saying that He is The Authority! His claims were basically making all other religious leaders irrelevant. And that's still what makes Jesus so polarizing.

You can kind of get away with talking about God in public spaces or even in government without being branded a religious nut. But if you openly talk about faith in Jesus Christ - that's when people start to bristle. If you just mention the name of Jesus - now you're being insensitive and intolerant. But these are the things that Jesus said about Himself!

And then Jesus took it even further by claiming, He is…

A. One with The Father

Yes, somehow Jesus was The Son of God but also One with the Father. - Something that still doesn't quite fully fit into my limited human brain. Let's look at John 10:24-30 (NIV)...

The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." (25) Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, (26) but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

(27) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and the Father are one."

Jesus said that His Father is greater than all – and then actually said that He was One with the Father. Again – a bold statement that doesn't leave any room for compromise. He either was who He said – One with the Father – or He was committing blasphemy by that claim. And blasphemy, an incredible, irreverent act against God was punishable at that time by death.

So of course those who didn't believe Jesus picked up stones and tried to kill Him. And while I obviously disagree with their actions – at least they had a response... Many people understand Jesus' claims, but basically ignore them and put Jesus into whatever category they feel comfortable with – nice guy, good teacher, a good model of nice morality. But Jesus didn't really give us those options! Jesus actually made the claim…

B. Jesus is God

Jesus called Himself The Christ, The Son of God who claimed equality with God and claimed to be God Himself! That's the claim that we saw in the first passage that we read this morning from John – The Word was God! That's why He was so violently opposed by the Jewish leaders in John 8:53-58 (NIV)...

"Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" (54) Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. (55) Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. (56) Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

(57) "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" (58) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

And Jesus knew full well that those listening would recognize that phrase as the very name God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:13-14 (NIV)...

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" (14) God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

They understood Jesus' claim as being God in the flesh and again reacted! They didn't believe His claims, but at least they reacted strongly and passionately about this inconceivable claim understanding that Jesus was saying that He was like no one else that had ever been or ever would be - period.

What am I going to do about Jesus? Are we going to respond – or are we going to be just like the rest of the world and intellectually acknowledge the facts - but then live like they don't really matter all that much. There's a reason I'm going through all of this. I want to make sure we remember why it matters.

What Jesus said, what He claimed about Himself – some might ask, 'Why does it really matter what you believe? I mean, Jesus lived, He died – it all happened 2,000 years ago – what does it matter?' Well it doesn't – unless it's true. And judging by the historical fact that Jesus rose from the dead – I'd say it's pretty likely that Jesus actually is who He said He is.

So What?

What you believe about Jesus matters because Jesus is coming back! I know there are many in the world who would argue with me – but the truth is - Muhammad, Confucius, Buddha – they are all dead and you can believe whatever you want about them, and you will never be confronted by them regardless of what you believe. But that's not the case with Jesus.

I have no idea when Jesus will return – but Jesus is coming back! When Jesus returns, history as we know it will be over and those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity in Heaven with Him. – And those who reject, or ignore Jesus will spend eternity separated from Him and all of God's blessings.

Jesus' return is a real event that will take place at some point. - Imagine if it happens in 2024? What might that look like in today's modern culture? And you ready for it? Is your family?

If your family is not ready, I don't want to encourage you just to make another commitment to 'buckle down and try harder'. If you haven't been able to persuade those you love to be ready for Jesus' return - what makes us think that if we just 'try a little harder' that'll work?

In your efforts to reach others for Jesus - put your focus on prayer! No amount of my words can persuade anyone of much - but the power of God's Holy Spirit can convict, persuade - God's spirit can soften hearts and move mountains! Many of you have seen it in your own lives! God moved mountains in your life and changed many of you from skeptics to believers.

Please – this week, decide what you believe about Jesus and then do something about it - pray and speak. Jesus is coming back and there are a lot of people who are not ready for that return. I will continue to preach the superiority of Jesus Christ, not out of arrogance or any other motivation than truth! I can do nothing else. Share Jesus!