Pulpit Speech II KL Paulson Preacher Silcox 4-20-1999 What Think You Of Christ? TEXT: Mark 8:27-29 INTRODUCTION:    -- Many today have opinions about many things.        [Especially on Sports, Education and Politics]    -- Talk-News radio. . .Television. . .Internet Chat-rooms.        [Rush Limbaugh, etc.]    -- Consider the Opinion page of the Fargo Forum any day of the week.    -- Stop and think. . . Are man's opinions really worth that much?        How useful?    -- MUCH MORE IMPORTANT: What do you think of Christ?        "Whom do men say that I am?"    -- CHRIST has always had both FRIENDS and ENEMIES.    -- Let's look at what the BIBLE SAYS: our Final AUTHORITY on SPIRITUAL matters. I. The ENEMIES of Christ    A. 'PHARISEES, with what would ye reproach Jesus?'        ["he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners[.]"] Matthew 9:11; Mark 2:16-17        [Many Pharisees were HYPOCRITES. . .it is no different today.]    B. 'And you, CAIAPHAS, what have you to say to Him?'        [He is a blasphemer, because He said, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."] Matthew 26:64        [Jesus was able back up His words . . . Caiaphas couldn't.]    C. 'PILATE, what is your opinion?'        ["I find no fault in this man."] Luke 23:4; John 18:38        [Pilate had gone too far and couldn't turn back even if he wanted to.        A REPROBATE may do the same thing. See Romans 1.        Be very careful when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sins.        Pilate was WARNED even from his own wife who had a dream.        Pilate didn't take heed at least right away to good counsel.]    D. 'And you, JUDAS, who have sold your Master for silver -- have you some fearful charge to hurl against Him?'        ["I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood."] Matthew 27:4        [Have you betrayed the Lord's words by speaking against Him and/or His churches?        Traded Money, Fame & Fortune for everlasting life.        Are you willing to confess openly and honestly your sins whatever they may be to God?]    E. 'And you, CENTURION AND SOLDIERS, who lead Him to the Cross, what have you to say against Him?'        ["Truly this was the Son of God."] Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39        [Many, today, make remarkable statements about Jesus saying that He was a great prophet, teacher and miracle worker.        BUT deny His Sonship in their deeds and other words.]    F. 'And you, DEMONS?'        [He is "the Son of God."] Luke 4:41        [The demons also believe and tremble. -- James 2:19        BELIEF ONLY with the head with not escape the WRATH to come.        The Devil and his misery will love some more company in HELL.        This includes the growing 'no repentance' crowd.        This includes many of the 'neos' with their limited message.] II. The FRIENDS of Christ    A. 'JOHN the BAPTIST, what think you of Christ?'        ["Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29,36)]        [John believed Jesus could FORGIVE ALL our SINS.        John preached UNlimited atonement.]    B. 'And you, JOHN the Apostle?'        [He is "the bright and morning star."] Revelation 22:16; 2:28    C. 'PETER, what say you of your Master?'        ["Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."] Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29; John 6:69        [He was the Messiah indeed.        The Immanuel -- God with us in flesh        SONG: HE LIVES        Jesus lives for the saints.]    D. 'And you, THOMAS?'        ["My Lord and my God."] John 20:28        [Thomas knew God, his Lord, PERSONALLY . . .            Do you know GOD personally?            Does His SPIRIT dwell in you?            Are you happy to OBEY Him no matter what you think or want to do?]    E. 'PAUL, you have persecuted Him; what testify you against Him?'        ["I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:"] Php 3:8        [Paul was a CONVERTED religionist.        Paul had been sincere thinking he was serving God by killing Christians. Could you be sincerely wrong?        His life CHANGED drastically (II Corinthians 5:17)        Paul treated Christ better than any human royalty once he was SAVED.        ALL Born-again Christians should too.]    F. 'ANGELS of Heaven, what think ye of Jesus?'        ["unto you is born...a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."] Luke 2:11        [Here . . . There is no better message than this to tell other.        SONG: JESUS SAVES!]        [Jesus came to be born, live and DIE just for YOU.        Have you admitted your NEED for the Saviour of SINNERS?        You will continue to be LOST without Him RESCUEING you.        What have you done with God the Son?]    G. 'And, Thou, FATHER in Heaven, who knowest all things?'        ["This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."] Matthew 3:17; 17:5        [God wants you to repent and to trust in His worthy Son (Acts 20:21)        The Heavenly Father LOVES YOU also (John 3:16)] CONCLUSION:    -- Dear LISTENERS, what think you of Christ?    -- Are you willing to FORSAKE your opinions, philosophies and religious traditions for what the Bible declares as FACT?    -- What about your WORKS? (Ephesians 2:8-9)    -- What about your PRIDE, WORLDLY WISDOM?    -- There are many voices out there, today.        WHO are you willing to BELIEVE and FOLLOW?