Who Do You Say You Are

January 15, 2017

Stetson Memorial UMC

Sermon Series:

 “Becoming You…”

“Named”

Adapted from Marcia McPhee’

“Who Are You?” Sermon Series

Psalm 40:1-7 TLB

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV Bible

John 1:29-32, 37-41 NLT

1 Cor. 1:11-12 NIV Bible

Isaiah 64:8 NLT

“Who Do You Say You Are…”

Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me or in-spite of me…

Please stand for the reading of the Gospel according to John, the first chapter, verses 29-31 and 37-41…Listen to the Word of God for His people…you and I…

Jesus, the Lamb of God

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31 I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.

37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”)

 (John 1:29-32, 37-41 NLT)

What name do you go by let people answer? Is there any other name that you go by let people answer? Who do you say you are let people answer? What or who gives you these names let people answer? Do believe what these descriptions of you (and that is what these are) or is there something else…so much more…?

God’s promises and truths, can be very hard to understand if we don’t realize who we are in Christ Jesus. Who are we really…how does God equip us…what are we supposed to do…? We have begun to look at who we are in Christ…we have begun a deep journey into these questions and more. I truly believe that we all want to become the “you” God wants us to be. Let’s see what transformation happens as we become who God says we are and not who the world thinks we are. 

On our journey, we have discovered one fact…you and I are God’s beloved. You and I are cherished, favored, and loved by God. Even in this world of rejection and exclusiveness, there is One who never reject us…flaws and all…no matter how far we may fall. We have gone to the river with Jesus and remembered our baptism and the promise found there. How are you and I doing living the life of abundance of grace and acceptance?

We talked about the different names that we go by, how we are identified. Last week we talked about how we are the beloved of God. That is one of the names we go by…if we choose to accept and believe… In the John Scripture that I read this morning, we hear some of the names that Jesus was called by…there are many others but let’s talk about the ones from this morning.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. With John…even before his birth…he knew who Jesus was. Remember how he leapt in his mother’s womb at just the sound of Mary’s voice. He knew that Jesus was the One who would redeem the world of its sin and shame. Without this name, there is no Easter Sunday…Resurrection Sunday… Without this name, there is no forgiveness of sin and no restoration of humanities relationship with God…

Rabbi…Teacher...Jesus taught on hills, in meadows, by the seashore, gy a well…and so many other places. He taught about the loving God who wanted to redeem His children. He also taught humanity how to love each other and how to love God…through His actions and thorough the words He spoke. We are still being taught about His and about God through the Holy Spirit. Without this Name, we would not be able to please God…we would not have the example we, as humanity, needs to do what God wanted and be who God would have us be…

Messiah…if it were not for this name…well there would be no freedom from sin…there would be no new life with God…there would be no Forgiveness of sins…praise God that Jesus wore that name to the cross for you and for me.

Unfortunately, we argue and fight about the name we have…whose name is correct when it come to the things of God. This has been going on for centuries. Even Paul had to deal this sort of division…that still is prevalent today. In 1 Corinthians 1:11-12, we hear of an account such as this…

11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”                             (1 Cor. 1:11-12 NIV Bible)

I am not sure why we seem to have a need to always be right…because that is what it boils down too. Why can’t we agree to disagree…why can’t we have an open mind to be taught by each other…why can’t we get by this and get on with the work we are called to do together as “one” body of Christ.

It is all in the name…hope, love, joy, peace…but there is also despair, hopelessness, fear, hatred in a name. I think my most favorite piece of scripture that gives me hope being named is Isaiah 43:1-4…let me read it to you…perhaps maybe we should all put this in a place where we can read it in those times of trouble and hopelessness…

Isaiah 43:1-4

43 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

    Cush and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,

I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

(Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV Bible)

Potter and clay (And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand… (Isaiah 64:8 NLT)) The One who knows our name, the One who teaches us, the One who has redeemed us and called us their own, the One who takes away our sins and we bare them no more…molds us into the image…into the name…that He has given us…that He continues to call us…Letting ourselves to be molded by God and not the world, (Image of a potter swirling the clay on the Potter’s Wheel) we are broken vessel that can only be repaired by the Potter…( talk about the bowl from Shanequa) the one who created us for  purpose and gave us the name of children of the Most High God and we bear the name of His Son as we are called “Christ”ian…a Christ Follower.

Who do you say you are? What do you call yourself? By what name do you go? Who are you or should I say whose are you? What does He call you? How will that realization change our lives…yours and mine? Beloved…and we have learned that we are just that to God…How are you and I going to live our lives? Will we choose the Wheel of Life or the Wheel of chance that the world offers us? How will we fill our lives? With the trappings of this world or is there a better way? The choice is ours to make. I would suggest that we choose wisely because the alternative is …well…let’s not go there…

Amen