Sermon on February 10 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture: Mark 8:22-30

Following the Jesus who calls us to come and die requires very clear focus and very sharp vision.

To step on the road with Jesus you need:

1. A CLEAR AND FOCUSED VISION! (v22-26)

• How you see Jesus determines how you follow
  Jesus heals the blind man in a strange way. In two stages, out of public sight and to give his disciples clear vision as well.
  In a world that loves to be vague, Jesus calls us to be sharp and clear about who we believe Him to be.
• How clearly you see Jesus affects how far you go
  Weak faith leads to fuzzy- thinking. Strong faith will send you into the battle with Jesus.
  Have you moved over from simply identifying with Jesus to say ‘count me in to die for Jesus?’

2. A BOLD AND PERSONAL CONFESSION!

• Before Jesus you cannot be neutral (v27-28)
  ‘Who do people say that I am?’ is an outrageous question – especially in a pagan city like Caesaria Philippi.
  It is Peter who once struggled to see clearly who later says:
  ‘We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty’
  (2 Peter 1:16)
• If Jesus is not the Christ we have nothing to say (v29-30)
  Peter’s confession is the hinge that transitions us from the reality that Jesus is the promised King to what kind of King He is.
  It is possible to profess Jesus, but not have a true confession of faith.

When you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, following Him will cost you everything.

‘But if it is really true that that I am a sinner saved by sheer grace, at God’s infinite cost – then there’s nothing he cannot ask me’
(a young lady who understood what confessing Jesus means)

Remember! What you think about Jesus is more important than what you think about the politics of your country, your plans for the future and anything else on your mind. Sine Jesus is the promised King, we cannot do other but follow Him wherever He calls us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. Why is it inadequate to consider Jesus as only a great moral teacher or simply an example to follow?
2. What kind of King did the Jews of Jesus day expect the Messiah to be? How do we sometimes expect Jesus to do the same for us?
3. What is the difference between professing Christ i.e. saying you know who Jesus is and confessing Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? What would mark out the confessing disciple?
4. Who is Jesus to you and in what way is He molding your life? Are there any areas in your life where you need sharper focus to see Him more clearly and love Him more dearly?

 

Photo credit FreeImages.com/paul krasovic