Second Baptist Baytown

“But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15

This question constantly haunts me to my inmost being. Who do I truly say that Jesus is? I feel as though most days I make this “Christianity” thing more about what others say Jesus is and what Jesus does. But isnʼt the very essence of Christianity about the question of, “Who do you say that Jesus is?”

C.S. Lewis coined the famous phrase in his classic work Mere Christianity, "Who do you claim that Jesus is: a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord?" I think he was spot on in this concept. He goes on to state that truly those are youʼre only three choices according to Christʼs claims in the Bible. You could possibly believe that Jesus was a gifted and elaborate liar that created this entire myth that has fooled literally billions of people over the centuries, that this whole Christianity thing is an elaborate lie told to capture the weak minded and weak hearted into believing a crutch that they needed. An alternative to that is that Jesus of Nazareth was just actually mentally insane, which I think outside of the third choice is the most logical. Jesus makes some of the most bizarre statements possibly ever recorded, including: "You must die so that you can really live" (Luke 9:23-25), "I am the way and the truth and the life... no one can experience God without me" (John 14:6), and that doesnʼt even touch the many metaphors he used to describe himself including: a shepherd, a vine, and even a door among others. This Jesus then went on to preach of a life he called people to that is even considered “radical” today by 21st century Christians!

The only other conclusion of this question is that Jesus is Lord. That Jesus was God, and the claims that He made were claims of truth... in fact, if true, they could be arguably some of the only claims that we can claim as being completely true. If this Jesus is anything other than Lord, then he requires limited time and sacrifice from us and minimal life change if any.

HOWEVER, if Jesus is Lord, EVERYTHING must change. Because, if Jesus is Lord, then He demands every second of every day, complete and utter sacrifice, and a radical love and obedience to HIMSELF.
For if Jesus is Lord, then He truly is sufficient and sovereign in and over all things. If He is Lord, then He can make statements like “If you follow me you must deny yourself, follow me, and be willing to die”, and “those that give their lives for my purpose of saving the world are really the only ones living a life worthwhile”.

In my own life, Iʼm beginning to find that Christianity is most exciting and fulfilling when we live it out based on a belief and obedience to HIS word. I think that Louisa M.R. Stead penned the theological depths of Christianity when she wrote, “Tisʼ so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take HIM at HIS word. Just to rest upon His promise. Just to say, ʻthus saith the Lordʼ”. What if we stripped American Christianity down from itʼs elegant irrelevance back to just trusting in Jesus and taking Him at His word?

What would our churches look like if we believed and practiced what is true to His word? The issue with the American Church currently has nothing to do with our pop culture in America nor is it rooted in sexuality, language, or immorality. The issue of the American Church is that the object of worship has shifted from Jesus to us. Therefore, we no longer follow nor claim the incredible, unstoppable power that is found in the name of Jesus from the Bible. We walk theologically in our “power” without considering what life might be like if we had his, we come to church so that we can get something, and leave feeling as though we have experienced Church. But what would happen if we experienced Jesus? What if we claimed and followed the Jesus that conquered sin, every power of darkness, and the grave? I want to be apart of a fellowship that knows who they say that Jesus is and take HIM at His word for He is the Lord.

All of that to say, who do you say that He is? Remember, the very essence of Christianity is rooted around this question, “Who do you say that Jesus is?”. If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, then your life cannot and will not look the same. Some will look at you and claim that youʼre lying about this Jesus thing, or that youʼve completely lost your mind and are a raging lunatic for believing everything of this Jesus....

However, I believe that youʼll just look at them and say, “You obviously donʼt know my Lord”.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Are you willing to live in such a way that reflects your answer to that question? 

I think that throughout this entire story I can so easily identify with Jesusʼ disciples. Jesus begins teaching and draws a massive crowd (I guess to be expected whenever you follow around the Son of God?). He then decides that because the disciples havenʼt eaten that they should go away and get some rest, so they leave. However, this crowd follows Jesus. Jerks. Unlike the common man, Jesus sees them and the state in which they stand... and He started teaching them again!

Can you imagine what the disciples are thinking now?? I mean they were already hungry! Theyʼve spent the last several days doing intense ministry themselves (Mark 6:7-13), they just spent all day under intense teaching, and now Jesus decides to teach again?! Finally, it begins to get a little late. Trying to talk some sense into Jesus, one of the disciples walks up to Him and decides to inform Him that they are in a remote place with no food with nothing to feed this hungry mass of people (we find out later that the number is around 5,000 men). I think itʼs somewhat hilarious that the disciples tell omniscient (all-knowing) Jesus the obvious. Like, “Um... Jesus... Just fyi, we are in the middle of nowhere with no food. Just thought you should know...”. And Jesusʼ response truly caught my attention. He answers, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37).

The omnipotent (all-powerful) Son of God asks His below-average (not very powerful) disciples to feed 5000 people with no food.

I feel as though in our lives we are often faced with “impossible”, or I guess Iʼd like to call them faith-testing situations. Situations where God calls us out of our comfort and into discomfort, out of easy and into difficult, out of our possibilities and into impossibilities. But, I believe that it is only in these situations that we begin to live a life of fulfillment, significance, and purpose. Itʼs almost like itʼs not until we come to the END of ourselves that we truly begin to live. Almost as though when we die to who we are we learn to live in who He is....

Back to the story, the disciples respond in the same way any psychologically sound person would by: Freaking Out. They come up with a thousand reasons why itʼs impossible (literally thousands of dollars worth of food!). Not only do they attempt to describe to Jesus exactly why what He has called them to do is impossible, but they also further begin an attempt to rationalize why it doesnʼt make sense... like, “Jesus, does that really make ministerial sense to spend that money on bread... I mean come on, thatʼs not how we are going to stay secure and build a ministry...”.

But Jesusʼ call does not waver. He simply asks what they have and asks them to “Go and see”. (what are you called to go and see?)

They come back with Five loaves and two fish (the greek word here means small fish... kinda almost like sardines). Jesus then proceeds to feed 5000 people with 2 small fish and 5 loaves of bread through the hands of the disciples.

I feel as though I am constantly forgetting that I serve a God that isnʼt shaken by the things of this world and sits sovereignly over my circumstances. I feel as though at SecondBaytown God is calling us as a church, as well as us individually, to great, big, “impossible” things. Like, feeding 5000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread things. But what will our response be?? Will we come up with reasons why it doesnʼt make financial sense to sacrifice right now, or rationalize that we obviously are hearing voices... because HE doesnʼt call normal people to abnormal things....

God calls weak people to do things strong people canʼt do. He enables the disabled, uses the unusable, and reveals that HIS will is made perfect in our imperfections. The beauty of the Gospel is that it is completely for all men at all times and we are saved into the Kingdom of LIGHT to bring others out of Darkness! He calls us to the impossible to show us the HE RULES over the impossible as well as the possible, and yearns for HIS CHURCH to rise and accomplish things that only HE can do. Iʼm sick of mundane living, shallow faith, and accomplishing things that i can do.

My prayer is that HE calls us outside our comfort zones and we have the faith to move, for HIS power is made perfect in our weakness for when we are weak HE is STRONG! Whoʼs strength would you rather stand in, yours or Godʼs? Strive so you can reach, Seek so that you can find, Die so you can LIVE. 

Discouragement and discouragement stemming from guilt is often one of the greatest weapons that the enemy chooses to use against todayʼs Christian (Christ-follower).

I know in my life many times I can forget the grace that Ephesians speaks of, and begin to live as though Iʼm saved by things that I may or may not accomplish. Therefore, my thoughts and feelings ride this roller coaster based upon my actions, thoughts, or emotions. I read my Bible and pray and then I feel great about myself and my walk with Christ! But then I sin, or forget to read my Bible, or fall asleep praying (yeah Iʼll admit it I fall asleep in mid-prayer...especially in the mornings or at night ha) and I feel awful about both my walk with Christ, relationship with Christ, and pursuit of God.

However, when we look at scripture, we find a completely different view of the Christian walk altogether. Paul speaks of us being saved “BY GRACE”, and “NOT ACCORDING TO WORKS”, therefore truly where are these feelings of discouragement, doubt, and discouragement stemming from doubt and discouragement come from? If they arenʼt from God or the Spirit living within me, then where are they coming from?

You see the Bible commands us to Joy (Galatians 2:22), and to walk in the Freedom that we have been liberated into (Galations 5:1). When I begin to test what I think in my mind as, “The walk of the Christian”, with scripture... I begin to find that the walk isnʼt even as much about our walk as HIS. For, “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8), and we were DEAD in our transgressions (Ephesians 2), but we were made completely ALIVE in Christ (also in Ephesians 2).

Therefore, my walk, relationship, and pursuit of God is not based as much on my pursuit of Him as much as it is on this Hurricane of love in which I find myself. Iʼm bending and swaying in HIS love, a love that nothing can separate me from... for, “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:37-39, I added the exclamation point :)).

So, I close with this...
Your relationship with Christ is secure, for it is based upon Godʼs character (LOVE) not yours. And honestly, you have been given a new spirit of LOVE within you, so I command you to walk in it! So, when you “mess up” or “fall”, God isnʼt waiting there to strike you with lightening, but rather love. However, does this mean that we can do whatever we want because God will forgive us no matter what? MAY IT NEVER BE! You are a new CREATION. You are now alive.... Why would you relinquish your life to submit back to the death from which you have been liberated? (Romans 6:1-2).

Discouragement and discouragement stemming from guilt is often one of the greatest weapons that the enemy chooses to use against todayʼs Christian. But take heart, for Christ has overcome ALL of your sin and death (John 16:33). Stand in HIS grace and chase passionately after Christ and the Lost, for any other pursuit is a waste of your life.

Chase HIM and them like it matters, because the Bible says that it does (Phillipians 3:12-21).

To Make HIM Known,

Jeremy