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Who Do You Say That I AM? Who Do You Say that I Am? Matthew 16:1316 Katie Fisher, 17, entered the Madison County Ohio Junior Livestock Sale hoping the lamb she had for sale would get a good price. For months Katie had been battling cancer. She had endured hospital stays and been through chemotherapy a number of times. Before the lamb went on the block, the auctioneer told the audience about Katie's condition, hoping his introduction would push the price-per-pound above the average of two dollars. It did-and then some. The lamb sold for $11.50 per pound. Then the buyer gave it back, and suggested the auctioneer sell it again. That started a chain reaction. Families bought it and gave it back; businesses bought it and gave it back. Katie's mother said, "The first sale is the only one I remember. After that, I was crying too hard." They ended up selling the lamb thirty-six times that day, raising more than $16,000 in the process. It matters how one is spoken of by others. Have you ever given thought to how you speak of Jesus in your everyday life? Not whether you try to convert everyone you meet but do you speak of Jesus, do you give the Lord the credit he deserves. Do you confess him before men on a daily basis? It matters how one speaks of Jesus. MAIN BODY I. The Worlds Testimony of Jesus A. In Jesus' day, the people had a false view of who Jesus was. 1. They thought he was John the Baptist or one of the Great Prophets 2. Some thought he was a blasphemer speaking from Satan. (Luke 11:15) B. Things havent changed all that much today. 1. Some "religious" people do not speak of Jesus as the son of God but simply as a "good man" or as a "prophet from God" or one who "became God." 2. Some even claim that Jesus is a myth. II. Confessing Christ is essential to Salvation A. Jesus promises to remember those who confess him. Matthew 10:3233 B. Confessing Christ is essential to salvation. Romans 10:1113 C. An example of confessing unto salvation. Acts 8:3539 III. Lifelong Confession A. There is Power in our witness of Christ. 1. Acts 1:8 2. Romans 1:1617 B. We are Persuaded to give our witness for Christ. (1 Peter 3:15) C. We should be Persistent in our witness for Christ. 1. Matthew 5:1416 2. Hebrews 2:23 Mitchell Skelton, Minister Midway church of Christ http://www.TheLordsWay.com/Midway |