Who Is Jesus to You? by Brother Duke Hansen

         Good morning. Before we start reading from the scripture and get into the message laid upon my heart this morning, there are two things which you and I need to keep in mind. These are two questions which matter in your relationship with Jesus that you should know the answer to in your life. The first question is who is Jesus to you personally and the second question is Do you know who you are in life? Our first scripture reading is going to come from the book of Luke chapter 9. We will begin to read at verse 18. This is a passage very familiar within our church.

        18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people I am?

        19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

        20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

        21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

        When Jesus was on the earth he spoke in parables to the masses, charged to his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the messiah. There's this conventional wish out in the world that there is a majority rule and all things should be fair and equal. The reality is that the majority does not rule and understanding is not for everyone, especially in this walk. This is why to some it is considered a great mystery. 

        22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised on the third day.

        23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

        24 For whosoever save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

        There are differences between titles and names in this world. Who is Jesus to you? The apostle Paul's conversion story on the road toward Damascus tells you who God is. People love evil and darkness more than light. This is explains the splintering of the christian faith into denominations. Our flesh likes to speak about "good people" at times, yet spend a lot of time walking in darkness. It is our flesh.

        Jesus did not come to unify everything in love but he came to bring division. When John the Baptist was baptizing people, how did he go about it? Was it in the trinity? No he baptized people under repentance. The story of Jesus on the earth, he had 12 men who walked, talked, ministered, and yet only one person knew who he truly was on earth.

        We have a tendency in imitating what we like in life. It could be a look, or a way a person speaks, it could be different things, but if the pull is great enough, the compulsion to mimic and imitate that will be overwhelming. The same can be for imitating Jesus. How do we do that? We seek God's face, chase after him, dig into his word. When you attach and live as he lived, you will have rejection, ridicule, denial, anger follow with you. Just the very name of Jesus will bring division to your immediate family.

        Let's go to the statement of denying yourself. What does that mean? When we discussed the difference of iniquity and sin, we realize that iniquity is doing things our way. When you do things your way your plans, thoughts, ideas, lists, way forward you see yourself moving in life never leads you in a direction you want to go. There are those who have claimed to have had a spiritual life and since walked from the faith, but, if there are no fruits to show from that faith, you cannot have a spiritual death if you have never been truly spiritual. Take up your cross. What is your cross? If you don't know your strengths and weaknesses in your life, how do you know what is on your cross? Take up your cross everyday. This isn't a one time thing or once a year thing but it is a daily act. Your flesh will take, steal, and ruin your life spiritually. To be set apart that is joining yourself to a spirit that the world already despises. 

        Now turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 4. We will start reading at verse 17.

        17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

        18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

        19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

        20 But ye have not so learned Christ.

        21 If so be that ye have heard him, and being taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

        22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

        How do you put off the old man exactly? First there is true repentance. Second is to be baptized in Jesus name. As the bride of Christ, you are taking his name. You take that name in the way you think, and what you do through out your day past Sunday.

        23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

        24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

        A good analogy for man is that he is like a sponge. Whatever is in front of him spilled out, man will soak up. There is no discernment to it.

        Let's talk about the death of the flesh man. It is important to take advantage of the time we have here. We don't know when our final breath falls. Look at the process of sowing and reaping. It is about giving and the humility to receive. If you sow love, you should reap love. When you eliminate something from your life as God instructs you to do, you are sowing into your relationship. Every bit of the flesh you put off and kill, you reap in the spirit.

        The things you hold onto which God hates outweighs on a scale the things God wants you to do, you are not truly his nor saved. He wants a full commitment from you and I. Discontent comes from a mind that is not made up. If you go about sowing evil and selfish intent, you will reap personal destruction.

        Your identity is important in life. If you want to please God, it is no mystery laid out before you. All your answers are within the word of God. You have to make time for what is important. You can sow into pain and reap victory. Suffering can reap understanding. Sow with humility before God.

        The book of Acts can occur for your life when you subject your flesh and be led by the Holy Spirit. This is a process, not done in an instant or an overnight event. You have to press forward and don't stop. It is not on God to change you, it is on you. It's a life and relationship for life with Jesus, and not some passing romance or flirtation.