RAP SHEET 4/6/25

SERIES: Make-Believe

SERMON: Myth or Messiah?

SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:16–18, 1 Corinthians 15:3–6, Luke 1:1–4, Matthew 16:13–16

Review

We kicked off a brand-new series called MAKE BELIEVE, where we’re asking some of the deepest and most important questions about our faith—starting with Jesus Himself.

Is Jesus just a myth, like so many ancient religious figures? Or is He the Messiah, the one who changed history and is still changing lives today?

We heard from the apostle Peter, who made it clear:

“We did not follow cleverly contrived myths… we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16)

We also looked at the eyewitness evidence in Scripture:

• Paul said over 500 people saw Jesus alive after the resurrection.

• Luke wrote his Gospel not as a legend, but as an investigated history.

• Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” and Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

This isn’t about blind belief—it’s about choosing to trust the credible, historical claims of Jesus and the transformation that has happened in countless lives ever since.

Jesus isn’t just a figure from the past—He’s alive, and He’s still transforming lives. He didn’t just come to teach us how to live—He came to rescue us from sin and restore our relationship with God.

C.S. Lewis put it this way:

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance. And if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

If Jesus is a myth, His movement means nothing

If Jesus is the Messiah, His movement means everything

Apply

Jesus asked His followers:

“Who do you say that I am?”

That question still hangs in the air today. Before going to our application question, try to answer this question in your own words: Who is Jesus to YOU?

What is ONE way you will respond to who Jesus is this week?

Maybe it’s saying yes to Him for the first time.

Maybe it’s sharing your faith with someone who needs hope.

Maybe it’s taking the next step to sign up for baptism.

Pray

• Thank God for not leaving us with cleverly made-up stories, but for giving us a Savior we can know and follow.

• Ask Jesus to reveal Himself more clearly in your life, so you can live as a witness to His truth.

• Pray for boldness to live like His movement matters—and invite others into that same hope.