Sunday October 19, 2025

Sermon Title: Who Do You Say Jesus is?

Series Big Idea: Emphasizing the culmination of God’s promises in Jesus and the Church’s mission  

Sermon Big Idea: Jesus is Messiah and following Him requires surrender

Introduction:

All of Scripture points forward to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises and the answer to our deepest longings. Today, we confront the question every page of the Bible ultimately asks: “Who do you say Jesus is?”

Luke 9:18-26

18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”, 20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” 23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.

The Most Important Question Ever Asked (18-22)

Jesus stands at the center of God’s plan as the promised Messiah, more than a prophet, He is God’s Anointed One who fulfills all Scripture. Recognizing His true identity means accepting that the road to glory leads through suffering, the cross, and resurrection.

The Inescapable Call to Follow (23-26)

To follow Jesus requires more than belief; it means daily surrender, self-denial, and wholehearted loyalty to Christ. He calls us to lose our lives for His sake, promising true life in return, even if the world misunderstands or rejects us.

Conclusion

Jesus still asks each of us to make a personal decision about who He is. True commitment means not just confessing Him with our lips, but surrendering our lives to follow Him wherever He leads.

Luke 9:18-26 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Victor Books, 1985.

Rydelnik, Michael A., and Michael Vanlaningham, editors. The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers, 2014.

Carson, D. A., et al., editors. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed., Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

Cabal, Ted, et al. The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. Holman Bible Publishers, 2007.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, editors. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Spurgeon. The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Bell, James Stuart, editor. Ancient Faith Study Bible. Holman Bibles, 2019.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Easley, Kendell H. Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding the Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2002.

George, Jim. The Basic Bible Pocket Guide: *Book by Book Summaries *Key Verses *Life Applications *Life Applications. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2016.

Marshall, I. Howard. “Luke.” New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed., Inter-Varsity Press, 1994, pp. 978–1020.

Mangum, Douglas, editor. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Press, 2020.

Butler, Trent C. Luke. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Synoptic Gospels. George H. Doran Company.

Carey, Greg. Luke: An Introduction and Study Guide: All Flesh Shall See God’s Salvation. Edited by Tat-siong Benny Liew, vol. 3, Bloomsbury T&T Clark: An Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2017.

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