WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?
Matthew 22:42
Introduction: I have presented you a big question mark. I want to you to think today. It is the most important question of the world. What think ye of Christ? In your answer, you will reveal your heart. In your answer, you will reveal if you are His child or just coasting through life.
I want to take a few moments to speak today and let you ponder that question. I am not going to call upon you to embarrass you or turn you against Christ. But what think ye of Christ? Throughout the message, I will bring this question to your attention. What think ye of Christ? In fact, you cannot be asked this too much either. What think ye of Christ?
I have only a few points to make but all of them will point to our question. What think ye of Christ?
I. COMMON MISINFORMATION
Matthew 16:13-17
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
Jesus had been with these twelve men for almost three years when He asked what other men thought who Jesus was. One answer was given. It was given from a heart that loved the Lord.
A. Religious World’s opinions
1. Good man is what some religious world leaders think.
2. Good teacher is what some religious world leader think.
3. Great healer is what some religious leaders think.
B. Others
1. Think of Him as a by word or curse.
2. Don’t think of Him.
“We have no time in a world like this to be thinking of Christ." Such is the talk of thousands in this country. They never go either to church. They never read their Bibles. The world is their god. They think themselves very wise and clever.
II. CORRECT INFORMATION
Let me give you a few thoughts along this line.
A. What men ought to think of Christ
All men ought to think of Christ, because of what Christ has done for all men. He thought upon man, when man was lost and helpless by the fall of man, and undertook to come into the world to save sinners. In His time He was born of the Virgin Mary, and lived for man thirty-three years in this evil world sinless. At the end of that time He suffered for sin on the cross, as man's substitute. He bore man's sins in His own body, and shed His own lifeblood to pay man's debt to God. He was made a curse for man, that man might be blessed. He died for man that man might live. He was counted a sinner for man that man might be counted righteous.
B. What true Christians think of Christ
True Christians have high thoughts of Christ. They see in Him a wondrous Person, far above all other beings in His nature,—a Person who is mighty to save, and perfect Man. They see in Him an All-powerful Redeemer, who has paid their countless debts to God, and delivered their souls from guilt and hell.—They see in Him an Almighty Friend, who left heaven for them, lived for them, died for them, rose again for them,—that He might save them for evermore.—They see in Him an Almighty Physician, who washed away their sins in His own blood, put His own Spirit in their hearts, delivered them from the power of sin, and gave them power to become God's children.
True Christians have trustful thoughts of Christ. They daily lean the weight of their souls upon Him by faith, for pardon and peace. They daily give the care of their souls to Him. They daily cling to Him by faith, as a child in a crowd clings to its mother's hand. They look to Him daily for mercy, grace, comfort, help, and strength.
True Christians have grand thoughts of Christ. The things that they think of Him, they do not merely think with their heads. They have not learned them from schools, or picked them up from others. They think them because they have found them true by their own heart's experience. They have proved them, and tasted them, and tried them.
True Christians have loving and reverent thoughts of Christ. They love to do the things that please Him. They like to show their love to Him by keeping His words. They love everything belonging to Him.
Conclusion: What think ye of Christ? You need Christ in order to go to heaven. Religion cannot help you go to heaven. Only Jesus Can. John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
What think ye of Christ?