Trey H. Little

Sermon Text:  Matthew 16: 13-20

April 10, 2011  (Lent 5)

Albany, Texas

“Life’s Big Question:  But What About You?”

I want to put out a little disclaimer this morning—because we are about to read a text in Matthew that I preached on several years ago.  I tell you this because I know some of you write down in your Bibles the dates I preach on certain texts—so I just wanted to save you the effort of having to tell me I have already preached on this. 

Here is why I wanted to revisit this text—there is no way that we could look at “Life’s Big Questions” and not examine this one.  I think this particular section—and this particular QUESTION Jesus asks is extremely significant—so much so, I think it is important that we periodically revisit the question in order to keep it in the forefront of our thoughts as disciples of Jesus Christ.

With that, I invite you to turn with me to Matthew 16: 13-20 as we hear a familiar and convicting question from our Lord.

I had one of those weeks this week—what about you? 

For most of us—when we hear a statement like that we assume the worse.  We assume that it was a week where everything that could go wrong did.  We assume that it was a week where we would have seemingly profited if there were 28 hours in a day rather than a measly 24 hours. 

However, in my case, this past week was one of those weeks—but for a different reason.  Certainly it was a full week.  No question every day this week was filled with many meetings and counseling sessions; including trips to Stanford, Sweetwater and Lubbock.  Yet—it was still one of those weeks.

I had one of those weeks where I found myself deeply moved by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.  I had one of those weeks where no matter how hard I might have tried to throw myself a pity party—I just couldn’t—I was simply too overwhelmed by how much the Lord has blessed me.  I had one of those weeks when the only way I could possibly have made it was for Jesus to increase and me decrease.  I had one of those weeks where I was convicted that I should remember that every week should be one of those weeks.

If you think about it—every day has the capacity to lead to one of those weeks.  That’s why I think it is so important for us to approach each day with a deliberate effort to make the most of it rather than allowing “it” (whatever “it” is) to get the most of us.  Imagine how crazy people would think you were if you said every Monday morning, “I am going to have one of those weeks”—and you were excited about it!  If nothing else, it sounds interesting, doesn’t it?

Are you interested in a relationship with Jesus Christ?  Now, that may seem like an obvious question for a preacher to ask—but really, are you?

I know you have the capacity to be interested—it is our very nature—we are interested people.  We live in a world that is consumed with wanting to feed our interests.  We watch motivational videos, we listen to tapes, we subscribe to trade magazines, and we read self-help books all with the hopes they will tell us what we are supposed to do and believe and how to do so.  Those of us with children—we rush from one event to another because our kids are interested in various things. 

But here is what I have been wrestling with—when does our interest become a commitment?

I wonder—could that be what Jesus was searching for that day?  Could it be that He really wanted to know if there was any passion in the hearts of the people?  Sure, the disciples were interested in Jesus; sure many people in the region were interested in Jesus; but were any of them truly committed to Jesus?  Were there people who would actually live for Him?  Were there people who would actually acknowledge that Jesus was Lord of all and King of kings?

Consider the setting—better yet, picture yourself there with Jesus and His disciples—you all are gathered around for a team meeting on the slopes of Mount Hermon in Caesarea Philippi—a region that was predominately pagan—and Jesus asks, “Who do the people say I am?”

Jesus wanted to know—were the people getting it?  Did they grasp in their hearts who He really was?  Were they ready for the Truth—ready to accept Him for who He was—the long awaited Messiah—the Christ—the One who came to give them freedom, forgiveness, hope, a future, life abundant?  Because to receive the promises they must profess their trust in Him—they must confess their need for the Son of the Living God.

Some thought Jesus was a resurrected John the Baptist.  Others thought He was Elijah.  Still others Jeremiah and others threw out names of other prophets.  Yet the surprising reality is that no one was suggesting Jesus was the Christ.  They didn’t get it!

But what about His disciples—was there any passion in their hearts?  And so He pushed it a little further—He made them answer for themselves—He made it personal.  Jesus asked Life’s Big Question:  “But what about you?  Who do you say I am?”

He made it personal!

I had one of those weeks this week where each day seemed to be filled with meetings.  Some of the meetings I led and others I was a guest.  But in each meeting—after considering the various issues on the table—inevitably there came a time when I had to share my thoughts.  I had to say what I believed.  I had to step out and voice my position.  And once I did—I was no longer simply an interested party—I instantly became invested because my words and actions articulated my convictions. 

Who is Jesus to you?  Is He just an idea; a concept, a way to restore glory, a name among many?  Is He just a day on the calendar; a name you think about from a certain pew in a particular church; a name you use in certain settings to impress certain people?  Is He a ticket; a free pass; a valuable coupon to be used one day in the future when tragedy strikes or life slows down?  Is this worship service this morning simply another meeting in your week or will today be one of those days—perhaps the day you you’re your relationship with Jesus personal—perhaps the day that leads to one of those weeks?

Friends, I don’t know where you are today.  I don’t know exactly what kind of week you had.  I don’t know what’s on your mind, I don’t know what you carried in here with you, I don’t know what you came hoping to hear this morning nor do I know what you will take with you. 

But I do know this—answering Jesus’ question, “But what about you? may be the single most important question you could ever answer.

Because when you answer it with all of your heart you begin to profess that He is more than a title but a transformation; He is more than what people say but what they do; He is more than a practice but a person; He is more than a religion but a relationship.  You make Him personal. 

Is He your Savior?  Is He your Redeemer?  Is He your Lord?  Is He the Christ? 

No, I mean really?  You must answer!  There is no middle ground here.  Is there any passion in your heart for Jesus?  Is your relationship with Him personal? 

I want to close with a story about a minister who waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend.  The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him.  Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.  “Reverend,” said, the young man, “I’m sorry about the delay.  It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”  The minister chuckled and said, “I know what you mean.  It’s the same in my business.”

Friends, don’t wait!  Don’t wait to make your relationship with Jesus personal!

Don’t wait for an emergency; don’t wait for a long weekend, don’t wait for Easter Sunday; don’t wait until you have enough money saved up; don’t wait for everything to be just like YOU like it in the church or denomination; don’t wait for The Master’s to be over; don’t wait for one of those weeks; don’t wait for your life to “slow down.”  Get interested in your relationship with Jesus Christ now. 

Life’s Big Question—But What About You? 

Life’s big challenge—procrastination—“procrastination is the grave where opportunity is buried” someone once said. 

Life’s big mistake—never making your relationship with Jesus personal.

AMEN.