Brian's Sermons

Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”   Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”   As we begin these forty days of Lent, the preparation for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I am arranging my sermons around the topic “Seven Essential Questions.” These are questions that are most important in the life of Christians. The first question we will look at is “who is Jesus?” I get confused for different people all the time. Last year, when I was in the USA, I got an American SIM card for my phone. Instantly, I started getting SMSs. “Happy Birthday!” “I haven’t seen you in a long time. Just wanted to make sure you’re ok. And Happy Birthday!” “Hey man, wanna party...

Did Jesus offer credible credentials to back up his divine claims? Yes! Miracles: John 10:37 told John to look for his miracles. Isaiah said Miracles would be one way the Messiah would authenticate himself. Power over nature: walking on water Power over sickness: healing leprosy & blindness Power over death: raising Lazarus Jesus’ opponents never denied his miracles. Even the Talmud admits miracles, and Mohammed, the founder of Islam, admits Jesus’ miracles and his virgin birth. Character – often the closer we get to others, the more we see their flaws, but the opposite happened with Jesus! John & Peter saw him up close and personal: their assessment: 1 John 3:5 – in Him is no sin 1 Peter 2:22 – committed no sin, no deceit was in him. Who can have the same said about them? The way he fit the fingerprint of divine prophecy. Only the Messiah could fit this fingerprint: He was: Born of a virgin Of the seed of Abraham Of the tribe of Judah Of the house of David Born in Bethlehem ...