Who Do you Say I Am?

Short Talk (SHT218) Jesus asks us: “Who do you say I am?” © Jane Hulme 2020 SHORT TALK: “Jesus asks us: “Who do you say I am?”” Aim of Short talk: Use of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Lectionary: To challenge people to answer Jesus’ question: “Who do you say I am?” This is a short All Age talk picking out one issue from the Lectionary Gospel reading of the Sunday main service. The talk stands alone and assumes that the Gospel Bible reading may not yet have been read to the congregation. It could be used for example, for the whole congregation before the children go out to their age specific groups, leaving the adults with a full sermon later. Jesus, Messiah Matthew 16:13-20 Year A – The 11th Sunday after Trinity .................................................................................................................. I am going to read out some facts about a well-known person now and I want you to see if you can guess who I am describing. [Substitute for local people if you are not in the UK] This person is an Arsenal fan. • Who are they? (Receive responses) This person is a sportsman • Who are they? (Receive responses) This person is a multiple World Champion. • Who are they? (Receive responses) This person is a British formula one racing car driver. • Who are they? (Receive responses) As you have guessed, the person I was describing is Lewis Hamilton. Let’s try one more person. This person is one of Britain’s best dressed people according to the magazine Tatler (in 2018) • Who are they? (Receive responses) This person is a patron of a number of different charities. • Who are they? (Receive responses) © Jane Hulme 2020 2 This person is a mother of three children • Who are they? (Receive responses) This person is married to the future King of England. • Who are they? (Receive responses) As you have guessed, the person I was describing is Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. Now when Jesus was walking this earth over 2000 years ago, people tried to work out who He really was. Jesus’ disciples, who spent the most time with Him, saw what Jesus did and heard what He said. • They knew that Jesus was Mary’s son. • They knew that Jesus was a carpenter. • They knew that Jesus was a miracle worker. • They knew that Jesus was a prophet, a preacher and a teacher. One day Jesus turned to them and said: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) The disciples replied: “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14) Jesus then made it personal and said to them: “Who do you say I am?” • Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16) The only way that Peter could have known that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God was by God the Father showing this to Him. • It wasn’t something that he could work out on his own. I wonder how you will answer Jesus’ question: “Who do you say I am?” • Will you say that Jesus was a good man? • Will you say that He was a miracle worker? • or have you been shown in your heart by Father God that Jesus is actually the Son of God? • How you answer this question will dramatically affect your life! © Jane Hulme 2020 3