Austin CFC - Josh McGuire - Which Jesus?
Austin CFC sermon
Summary
The speaker explores themes related to names and identity in scripture, drawing parallels between naming conventions (like 'son of') and divine revelation. He highlights instances where a person's name reveals lineage or calling, such as Peter being Simon son of Jonah. The central point is illustrated by the passage from Matthew 27:17, which originally presented two men both named Jesus—one associated with Barabbas and one who was the Messiah—suggesting that identity can be complex and misunderstood.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does a name reveal?The speaker examines his own last name, McGuire, meaning son of Dwyer, and explains how many cultures identify people through their fathers.
Simon BarjonaLooking at Peter's lineage, Jesus addresses him as Simon bar Jonah, meaning the son of Jonah.Matthew 16:17
Two men named JesusPontius Pilate offers the crowd a choice between two men named Jesus: Jesus Barabbas and Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Crowd number one: welcoming JesusThe speaker imagines himself in the first crowd joyfully welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem and crying out Hosanna.
Jesus enters the templeUpon entering Jerusalem, Jesus first looks around the temple and leaves, returning the next day to drive out those buying and selling.
A house of prayerJesus rebukes the crowd by stating that His house should be a house of prayer rather than a robbers den, reminding believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
Offended disciplesMany disciples turned away when Jesus challenged their internal lives, showing how easily people are offended when the Lord confronts the heart.
Crowd number three: the choiceThe religious crowd in Jerusalem is faced with a choice between Jesus Barabbas, who would fight earthly oppression, and Jesus the Messiah.
What each Jesus offersThe first Jesus promises to save people from external circumstances and fight political oppression, whereas the true Jesus points out that the real problem is internal sin.
Which Jesus do we choose?Most people prefer a Jesus who makes life comfortable, but the true Jesus goes into the deep inner core to deal with sin and offer true fellowship.
A prayer for the true JesusThe speaker prays for revelation and humility, acknowledging human weakness and the need to be saved from sin by the true Jesus.
