In my role as preacher I hope to convey to each and every one who hears my sermons the message we see in the Lectionary reading from Matthew 16:13-20 for 8-24-14 where Jesus asks the question “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Of course we should all be able to answer that question with the same words Peter used when he said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Do you remember what it meant to you when you made your profession of faith before the congregation? I know that when I think or speak those words it gives me a chill. Those words mean something to me as well as they should to each and every one who sits in a Christian church whenever services are held. But more than just that weekly service that you attend, those words should mean something to your life lived as a Christian.
Everything we do and say should reflect that belief. When I speak to my friends, family, acquaintances or strangers I should reflect those words to them in my actions, thoughts and deeds. So should we all.
There are many who will deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Muslims will say that he was a prophet. Jews will say that He was a great teacher. Liberal protestants and religionists of various stripes will say “Exemplary man, yes, Divine, no!” Over a billion people out in the world will deny the divinity of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
For many reasons I refuse to be one of those people. Do you? The more we refuse to proclaim to people that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, the more people turn to other faiths. The more we deny Him through our actions and words people will turn to something else. This sounds like a heavy burden but when we feel that Holy Spirit leading us it becomes light and easy to carry. For all who say they just cannot get the words out remember the disciples. While Peter spoke up, he temporarily failed, as did the others. We can only run from our duty so long. Sooner or later we must profess our faith to someone.
Try something for me. Say to yourself three times, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Then turn to your spouse or another loved one and say to them three times, “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!”
Now go out into the world and proclaim the way, the truth and the life to the world by showing and telling them that “Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God!”
Pastor Randy
Wesley United Methodist Church, Orange TX 