11th June 2006 AM

THE CONFESSION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING! Pastor Linton Smith

In September last year we were in Sydney. We were waiting to board a ferry when we found ourselves surrounded by people in red and white caps, scarves and other clothing. Yes – it was AFL grand final day.. and these people were on the way to the match between Sydney and West Coast. We made polite conversation about the season, the form of the teams.. and commented that we were visitors from WA. Then we sensed the question coming, ‘Which team do you support?’ That changed everything. Now we had to stand up and be counted!

One day the friends of Jesus found themselves in a similar but far more serious situation.

In Luke 9:18-20 we read..

Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’

Peter confessed or declared that Jesus was the Messiah. He probably had in mind the kind of Messiah most people were looking for – someone like King David who would lead them to freedom and prosperity.

Jesus strictly warned Peter and the others not to tell anyone about this. Why? Because people would probably come from everywhere… band around Him.. and expect immediate action to get rid of the Romans and set them free.

This was not what Jesus had in mind.

He knew that the Messiah must first of all suffer.. be killed.. rise again.

As He looked at Peter He must have been thinking, Have you any idea what you have just said, what your confession involves?

Have you any idea what you have just said, what your confession involves?

He goes on to tell Peter what it does involve.. to speak of..

o THE CONTENT OF THIS CONFESSION

In Luke 9:21,22 we read.. Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."

The Son of Man – another way of speaking of the Messiah – must be considered by the Jewish authorities and rejected. He must be killed.. and then on the third day be raised to life.

A little later He completes the picture..

Luke 9:26.. If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Peter, you have just called me the Messiah. This is what you are saying..

That I will be rejected… killed.. raised to life.. and at some future time return in glory!

Peter saw Jesus killed.. saw Him alive after He rose.. saw Him ascend to heaven.. saw the Holy Spirit come on the Day of Pentecost.. and then had this to say to a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem..

Acts 3:17-21.. “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

You acted in ignorance.. yes.. but this was how God fulfilled what He said He would do. Jesus is now in heaven.. and He will remain there.. until.. it is time for God to fulfil everything He has promised. Then He will come in power and glory.

This is what it means to say Jesus is the Christ of God.. the Messiah of God.

And it is so.. whether we believe it or not.. or say it or not. He is the Messiah.. He has come.. been killed.. raised.. ascended.. and will come again in great power and glory - in God’s good time!

Jesus then goes on to speak of..

o THE COST OF MAKING THIS CONFESSION

In Luke 9:23,24 He says.. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

He has just made it clear that He will be rejected and killed. Now He is telling these people – if you follow Me.. people will treat you in the same way. It will cost you. It will mean the end of your own ambitions and plans.. It will mean taking up a cross daily. Day by day you will have to say.. I will be true to Jesus.. and pay the price.. even if it means losing my own life.

And that is how it turned out to be. After Jesus had been killed.. raised.. had ascended.. had sent the Holy Spirit.. His followers suffered on account of Him..

In Acts 5:40-42 Luke tells us.. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Stephen later made a strong stand for Jesus.

In Acts 7:57,58 we are told.. At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.

He was the first to lose his life.. and then James the brother of John..

In Acts 12:1-3 we read.. It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.

About 30 years after this.. Paul was in prison in Rome.. wrote..

Philippians 1:27-30.. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him! That is how it has been for 2,000 years. More than 43 million believers have been martyred since the crucifixion of Jesus. Today.. 150,000 to 160,000 are martyred each year.

Jesus told them.. tells us.. the cost of making this confession could be a high one.. and asks, Are you prepared for this?

Then He speaks of..

o THE COST OF NOT MAKING THIS CONFESSION.

In Luke 9:25-27 He says.. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

If you do not make this confession you could gain the whole world and lose your very self. He goes on to explain what He means. If you are ashamed of me.. when I come in glory I will be ashamed of you.

No one is really sure what He means when He says.. some who are standing here will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.

I wonder if He means.. some will not taste death at its worst.. the second death [Rev 20:14].. until that time.. and then they will! I will disown them and they will be thrown into hell.

A destiny too awful to contemplate - but it does not have to be like that. If we do confess Him.. we will be like Stephen.. and Paul..

Acts 7:59,60.. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Philippians 1:20-24.. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Make this confession.. and look forward to being with Christ!

And if we worry about what it might cost us.. take to heart the words of Jesus..

Luke 12:4,5.. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Jesus is the Messiah. He came.. was crucified.. was raised.. ascended to heaven.. and one day will return in glory.

It costs to believe that.. confess that.. but the cost of not making that confession.. is too awful to contemplate.

Have you made that confession? Do you make it day by day? Start again today!

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