“He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?'” (Matthew 16:15)
Savior. Messiah. Son of the Living God. More than a book or words upon a page, You are the Word—creating, sustaining, and naming.
Transcendent One, ineffable in glory, wrapped in light and shrouded in clouds, upon whom we cannot look. yet also Immanent One, closer than our thoughts and desires, incarnate in flesh and bone—Immanuel.
I AM—the One who is— is the Bread of life, is the Light of the world, is the Good Shepherd and the Gate for the sheep, is the Vine, is the Resurrection and the Life, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life— the One who makes me who I am, who I was, and who I am becoming.
Peace-Giver and Contentment-Provider. Spirit-Sender and Soul-Satisfier. The Beginning and the Ending. The Crucified Lamb of God who takes away our sin and the Victorious King who tramples the serpent’s head.
The Love of our souls with an everlasting love and the Refiner of our lives with a purifying flame. The One through whom all things were created and the One before whom all things will worship.
You are Jesus, the Savior, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
This past weekend at Eastbrook, we concluded our preaching series, “Who Do You Say I Am?”, by finally drawing near to the text from which the title of the series arises: Matthew 16:13-20. In this dramatic turning point in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asks His disciples a series of questions, including “Who do you say I Am?” Peter’s bold declaration of Jesus’ identity leads to an exchange between them. In a sense, Peter “names” Jesus, but in a deeper and more true way Jesus names Peter.
You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew 16:13)
Jesus’ First Question (Matthew 16:13-14)
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
Who Have People Said Jesus Is?
John the Baptist (Matthew 14:2)
Elijah (11:14)
Jeremiah or one of the prophets (12:41)
Jesus’ Second Question (Matthew 16:15)
“But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
How had the disciples previously named Jesus?:
Rabbi with authority to teach (4:18-22; 7:28; 13:10-17, 36)
Healer and miracle worker (8:14-15; 14:18-21, 25-27)
Enigma: “What kind of man is this?” (9:27)
Friend of Sinners (9:11-13)
Son of David (9:27)
Awesome one: “Truly you are the Son of God” (14:33)
Peter “Names” Jesus (Matthew 16:16)
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
Jesus is the Messiah
Jesus is the Son of the Living God
Jesus Names Peter (Matthew 16:17-20)
Jesus’ naming of Peter: “you are Peter”
An aside about Jesus’ command for silence on the matter
Encountering Jesus Today
Hearing Jesus ask us: “who do you say I am?”
“Naming” Jesus personallyHearing Jesus name us
Dig Deeper:
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
Memorize Matthew 16:15-16
Read through the Gospel of Matthew up to this point and note any way that Matthew records or describes titles of Jesus that would answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” Step back to reflect upon all the titles of Jesus given thus far in the Gospel of Matthew.
Take some time in stillness to reflect on Jesus’ question: But what about you? Who do you say I am?” How are you answering that right now? How might Peter’s answer or other titles of Christ in Scripture give shape to your answer?
Join us for worship with Eastbrook Church through Eastbrook at Home at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM.
This weekend we conclude our series, “Who Do You Say I Am?,” as I preach from Matthew 16:13-20 about Jesus’ piercing question from which the title of our series takes its name and Peter’s bold response to that piercing question.
We also continue in-person services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM this weekend at the Eastbrook Campus, and you no longer need to RSVP ahead of time.
If you are new to Eastbrook, we want to welcome you to worship and would ask you to text EBCnew to 94000 as a first step into community here at Eastbrook.
Each Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, you can participate with our weekly worship service at home with your small group, family, or friends. This service will then be available during the week until the next Sunday’s service starts. You can also access the service directly via Vimeo, the Eastbrook app, or Facebook.
If you are not signed up for our church emailing list, please sign up here. Also, please remember that during this time financial support for the church is critical as we continue minister within our congregation and reach out to our neighborhood, city, and the world at this challenging time. Please give online or send in your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of Eastbrook Church.
This past weekend at Eastbrook, as we continued our preaching series, “Who Do You Say I Am?”, Fred Pierce preached on an interesting passage from Matthew 16:1-12. This begins with the religious leaders’ request for a sign from Jesus and then veers into a discussion with the disciples about their missing the point of what Jesus is doing.
Here’s a line from the message that really stuck with me: “Whatever we treasure our prioritize will captivate our hearts.”
You can find the message video and outline below. You can also view the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.
“‘Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, it wasn’t about bread?’ Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:11-12)
Jesus tested by Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:1) They were Jewish religious groups who did not have much in common They disagreed about significant theological matters The only thing that they agreed on was not liking Jesus
Jesus responds to their questions (Matthew 16:2-4) Jesus uses a simple parable about the sky Jesus calls them out as evil and adulterous They missed the Kingdom of God through Jesus Jesus speaks of the greatest sign that would be given Reflect on Matthew 12:39-40 Jesus left
Jesus warns the disciples about the Pharisees/Sadducees (Matthew 16:5-12) The disciples were worried about their bread Jesus warns the disciples of the leaven The disciples were seeing the natural/not the spiritual The disciples were missing what was right before them The disciples were falling into a similar trap (vss8-10) Watch out for self-righteous religion that pulls away from relationship with Jesus
Dig Deeper:
This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:
Meditate on the message of Jesus in Matthew 16:11-12
Journal or reflect about times when you have allowed the systems and norms of this world to distract you from what the Word of God says.
How can you grow deeper in relationship with Jesus this week?
Read more about this weeks message in the following passages:
Join us for worship with Eastbrook Church through Eastbrook at Home at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM.
This weekend we continue our series, “Who Do You Say I Am?,” as Fred Pierce, the Head of School at Eastbrook Academy, preaches from Matthew 16:1-12 about Jesus’ response to the religious leaders’ request for a sign.
We also continue in-person services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM this weekend at the Eastbrook Campus, and you no longer need to RSVP ahead of time.
If you are new to Eastbrook, we want to welcome you to worship and would ask you to text EBCnew to 94000 as a first step into community here at Eastbrook.
Each Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM, you can participate with our weekly worship service at home with your small group, family, or friends. This service will then be available during the week until the next Sunday’s service starts. You can also access the service directly via Vimeo, the Eastbrook app, or Facebook.
If you are not signed up for our church emailing list, please sign up here. Also, please remember that during this time financial support for the church is critical as we continue minister within our congregation and reach out to our neighborhood, city, and the world at this challenging time. Please give online or send in your tithes and offerings to support the ministry of Eastbrook Church.
Renovate 