Synod Sunday

Luke 9:18-27
By Rev Peter Chan (13 July 2008)
 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of our faith….
(Hebrews 12:2)
 3
The Son is the
radiance of God’s
glory and the exact
representation of
his being,
sustaining all things
by his powerful
word. After he had
provided
purification for
sins, he sat down at
the right hand of
the Majesty in
heaven. (Hebrews
1:3)
“Who do the crowds say I am?”
(Matthew 9:18)
Movies
Books
Do our debates on the question lead
to definite decision to follow Jesus
and greater devotion to Him?
 “But what about you?” he asked.
Luke 9:20

“Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
What can we make of the confession by Peter?
•It comes by Divine revelation, not human diligence
and discovery (cf. Matthew 16:17−18). Not so much
of IQ and EQ, but of SQ (spiritual quotient)!
• It challenges the conventional ideas of the
Messiah: however, Jesus presented first a
suffering Servant, then a triumphant Saviour
(9:22).
• It concerns the cornerstone or foundation of the
Christian Church – Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
the living God! (cf. Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians
3:10, 11)
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of Hades will not
overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.”
Do we seal with our lives what
we say with our lips, the
absolute Lordship of Jesus
Christ?
Jesus provides three reasons for His disciples to deny
their selves and take up the cross daily (crucified
lifestyle or cross-bearing discipleship):
•Jesus’ path to glory through self-giving and suffering:
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to
serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark
10:45)
18
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
19
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20
Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater
than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute
you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours
also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for
they do not know the One who sent me. (John 15:18-21)
• Jesus’ point about paradox of life: Losing the body
but not the soul versus gaining everything in this
world but loses both body and soul for all eternity!
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain
what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot) We all live in the
great economic illusion or delusion!
• Jesus’ promise of
honour and
warning of shame
before the Father
and the holy
angels when Jesus
comes in His
glory! (9:26) Jesus
revisits the theme
of choosing God’s
approval over
human applause in
Matthew 5−7!
 5:1‒12 5:17‒47 6:1‒18 6:19‒34 7:1‒12
Redefining Redefining Redefining Redefining Redefining
Virtues Righteousness Honour & Treasure / Judgment &
Reward Ambition Grace
Salt & Light Imitating God Looking to Seeking God’s Condemning
(5:13‒14) as standard for unseen Father kingdom as our hypocritical
a righteousness in heaven who unseen / judgment;
that surpasses rewards us heavenly Contrasting
that of the (6:4, 6, 18) treasure and with God’s
Pharisees & when He sees trusting Him goodness thru
teachers of the us give / pray / for our earthly / prayer;
Law (5:16,48) fast in secret daily Commending
(i.e. not necessities the Golden
seeking (6:33) Rule for
applause from graceful
men relations
7:13‒29
Redefining Wisdom as Obeying the Voice of Jesus (i.e. Discipleship)
Taking the road less travelled
Going beyond skin deep (character transformation or fruit-bearing)
Acting on the knowledge of Jesus’ words (or God’s Word)
Let us answer the single most critical
question Jesus asks for our complete
commitment with one clear voice so
that the world may see and hear: that
Jesus is indeed the absolute Lord over
our lives and His Church!