Ep 09: What You Believe About Change Will Change How You Live-Part 1

0:00 [SPEAKER_00]: This episode is different, I'm not going to talk to you about what the church or counseling industry or my journey or culture would say about Christianity or relationship with God. [SPEAKER_00]: I haven't talked much about what you believe about the man Christ Jesus I will today. [SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, think about your years of growth, failure experience, scripture study, reflection, you know, I'm curious about what type of conclusion or conviction you, my friend, have about the man, the Messiah, Christ Jesus.

0:43 [SPEAKER_00]: And there's a story in a conversation about a follower's conviction about Christ based on his experience with Christ that we're going to dive into that I think it's going to be really good. [SPEAKER_00]: And his experience was really challenge. [SPEAKER_00]: His convictions were challenged about who he thought Christ was. [SPEAKER_00]: And I want to challenge yours today. [SPEAKER_00]: So as I said, this episode will be different. [SPEAKER_00]: With some of you, it will resonate deeply. [SPEAKER_00]: With others of you, it won't. [SPEAKER_00]: Hey, both outcomes are okay. [SPEAKER_00]: Because my goal isn't to attract everybody.

1:23 [SPEAKER_00]: It's to find the people who are genuinely aligned with the work and conviction that I have as I do this podcast. [SPEAKER_00]: And I want to welcome you to the biblical film room where we examine our lives through the lens of Scripture so that we might heal emotionally, connect relationally, and grow spiritually. [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Michael Jerome, thanks for joining me. [SPEAKER_00]: It all started with a conversation. [SPEAKER_00]: Most change do. [SPEAKER_00]: It conversation that Jesus had with His disciples. [SPEAKER_00]: and a conversation that I would like to have with you today.

2:04 [SPEAKER_00]: And I hope that it would be a conversation that leads to other conversations that you have with friends and family, that will impact not only what you believe, but who you believe and why you believe it. [SPEAKER_00]: And so we're going to look at this conversation [SPEAKER_00]: in the book of Matthew, chapter 16. [SPEAKER_00]: And if you're at a place where you could sit and look at the verse, I would love for you to look at it with me. [SPEAKER_00]: And Matthew 16, verse 13, there's a conversation that's going on with Jesus and his disciples. [SPEAKER_00]: And Jesus was kind of curious about something, and so I think it's a conversation that it was really great to have at this time in the ministry.

2:48 [SPEAKER_00]: And it says, when Jesus came to the region of Cecilia Philippi, he asks his disciples, who do people say the Son of Man is? [SPEAKER_00]: They reply, some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and so others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. [SPEAKER_00]: But what about you, he asks, who do you say I am? [SPEAKER_00]: Simon Peter answered, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [SPEAKER_00]: Wow, have you think about that? [SPEAKER_00]: You know, Jesus was curious, sort of. [SPEAKER_00]: because there's all these ideas going around about who he is, and they reply, you know, some people say, you're this or this or that, and other people say you're this or that, and I think there's a lot of, you know, misconceptions about who Jesus is, and there are a lot of people with a lot of opinions, right?

3:46 [SPEAKER_00]: A lot of opinions about who he is. [SPEAKER_00]: And so I think Jesus was kind of testing him. [SPEAKER_00]: He was sort of curious about what others thought. [SPEAKER_00]: I don't think he was too concerned about that. [SPEAKER_00]: And like I said, [SPEAKER_00]: There's a lot of things. [SPEAKER_00]: There's a lot of opinions about Jesus and about God, the Bible, religion, art there. [SPEAKER_00]: A lot. [SPEAKER_00]: And those opinions can influence us, can influence faith and many of these opinions are inaccurate or incomplete. [SPEAKER_00]: They're not really founded on truth, okay? [SPEAKER_00]: And so, [SPEAKER_00]: He's engaging with these guys and they're giving them all these different individuals.

4:29 [SPEAKER_00]: So I'm saying John the Baptist others say Jeremiah and it makes me think there's so many religious leaders and gurus and teachers. [SPEAKER_00]: We can get interaction with those individuals confused with who the Bible says Jesus [SPEAKER_00]: And we have misunderstandings with the Bible, and then there's these arguments about interpretation and all these kind of things. [SPEAKER_00]: Trying to understand who Jesus is can be really muddied. [SPEAKER_00]: And like I said, there's so many individuals that have so many opinions about who he is.

5:12 [SPEAKER_00]: And that's why I think it was a great conversation for Jesus to have. [SPEAKER_00]: You know, who do people say that I am? [SPEAKER_00]: And so one conversation, friend, I would love to have with you is, who do people in your circle, maybe who you work with, or exercise with, who do they say the son of man is? [SPEAKER_00]: And are you careful with making sure that their views doesn't impact how you see him? [SPEAKER_00]: And Peter, of course. [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, Jesus hears all the different options that they throw out. [SPEAKER_00]: And he says, but what about you? [SPEAKER_00]: Who do you say?

5:52 [SPEAKER_00]: I am. [SPEAKER_00]: What about you? [SPEAKER_00]: And I would ask you, with all your challenges, experiences, failures in life, who do you say the Son of Man is? [SPEAKER_00]: What do you say about him? [SPEAKER_00]: And again, [SPEAKER_00]: because our life experiences can lie to us about who Jesus is. [SPEAKER_00]: I hope that makes sense. [SPEAKER_00]: And I think it was important for these guys because they were spending time with him to really understand who he was and they were having the conversation with him.

6:37 [SPEAKER_00]: He was having the conversation. [SPEAKER_00]: And you know what? [SPEAKER_00]: Peter got it right and I think you have to sit down and really examine this to make sure that you get it right. [SPEAKER_00]: And that's something I had to do. [SPEAKER_00]: I had to sit down and really examine this to make sure I get it right because again, life circumstances, people, politics, church tradition, all those things can influence how you see Jesus and it may or may not be accurate and so Peter got it right. [SPEAKER_00]: What about you and your life? [SPEAKER_00]: Are you getting it right? [SPEAKER_00]: Because Peter lived in a culture that wasn't sure.

7:18 [SPEAKER_00]: And so do we. [SPEAKER_00]: Again, as I talked about, we live in a culture they don't even know really who Jesus is. [SPEAKER_00]: They don't understand the impact that he's had. [SPEAKER_00]: They kind of have an idea. [SPEAKER_00]: but, but not really. [SPEAKER_00]: And I think that because Peter and the other guys walked with Jesus, they were pretty sure. [SPEAKER_00]: At least Peter was. [SPEAKER_00]: Now, what made him so sure? [SPEAKER_00]: What made him so sure is like, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [SPEAKER_00]: What do you think made him so sure? [SPEAKER_00]: And again, I think it was this interaction with Jesus, he saw how Jesus lived, because he was with him.

8:02 [SPEAKER_00]: He was impacted by the teaching, by the serving that Jesus did, the way he gave the others, the way he met people's needs, the way he was compassionate towards the poor and the sick and those that were less fortunate and all those interactions. [SPEAKER_00]: that he witnessed with his own eyes, they were able to impact how he saw Jesus and he was able to see Jesus rightly. [SPEAKER_00]: And that's what I'm talking about today, you know, really being able to see Jesus rightly. [SPEAKER_00]: And that's why in the biblical film room, you know, examining our lives through the lens of Scripture so that we can heal and connect and grow in ways that glorify God.

8:48 [SPEAKER_00]: And so above [SPEAKER_00]: I would say what make Peter sure above all else is that not only because he interact with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: But it was revealed to him, who Jesus was. [SPEAKER_00]: It was revealed to him. [SPEAKER_00]: Look at verse 17. [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus replied, blessed are you Simon Son of Jonah. [SPEAKER_00]: For this was not revealed to you by man, but by my father in heaven. [SPEAKER_00]: It was revealed to him by his father in heaven. [SPEAKER_00]: not because he was just hanging out at church or or doing the thing that was that most people who follow the word of God and do religious activities.

9:41 [SPEAKER_00]: And again, guys, nothing wrong with that. [SPEAKER_00]: But he had this kind of relationship where it was revealed to him by God. [SPEAKER_00]: It was something that that man just could not reveal to him. [SPEAKER_00]: And I love that Jesus noticed that. [SPEAKER_00]: It says, it was revealed to you by God. [SPEAKER_00]: And I think it's because God reveals things to us when we spend time with the sun with Jesus, when we spend intentional time with Him. [SPEAKER_00]: When we are focused on really growing in Him, and I believe these disciples, that's what they were doing.

10:23 [SPEAKER_00]: They weren't just hanging out. [SPEAKER_00]: Now, what you think and know about Jesus, [SPEAKER_00]: is the most important thing about you. [SPEAKER_00]: And so I think here's something important to know about yourself, the time you spend with Jesus will reveal what you really believe, not only what you say you believe. [SPEAKER_00]: And there were times in my life when my time with Jesus was shallow, a very shallow, and it revealed what I really [SPEAKER_00]: And times when, you know, prayer, Bible study, worship, singing, just going through the motions, kind of reveals what you really believe.

11:10 [SPEAKER_00]: Now here's another thing, spending time with Jesus actually helps you go deeper and I think it helps Peter go deeper. [SPEAKER_00]: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. [SPEAKER_00]: Let me show you a snapshot of the likely reason for the depth of his knowing [SPEAKER_00]: who Jesus, who the Son of Man is, because there was a depth to that that a lot of people around them were in the culture that were religious were missing. [SPEAKER_00]: And I want to turn over or look at Mark chapter 13 because it's a great passage with Jesus again and it's disciples spending time together.

12:01 [SPEAKER_00]: And it starts out with Jesus being on a mountainside praying to God, because he's about to make a very important decision. [SPEAKER_00]: He's about to decide the 12 who would be his inner circle, the individuals that would spend the most time with him, the individuals that he would use to build his kingdom, his influence on the world. [SPEAKER_00]: Mark chapter 3, in verse 13, it says Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted and they came to him. [SPEAKER_00]: He appointed 12, designating them apostles.

12:43 [SPEAKER_00]: that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. [SPEAKER_00]: So Jesus is intentional about bringing people to him to spend time with [SPEAKER_00]: because being with Jesus brings about transformation, and I will tell you some of you, you have trouble being with Jesus before being honest.

13:27 [SPEAKER_00]: You have trouble with being with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: distractions, not knowing what that looks like. [SPEAKER_00]: But that's an important conversation to have. [SPEAKER_00]: And I hope that you feel a safe space here and not judgment because, if you've been listening to my podcast, guys, you know my story. [SPEAKER_00]: You know my story. [SPEAKER_00]: We're up in and where I'm going. [SPEAKER_00]: I have not arrived. [SPEAKER_00]: I'm on the move, but I haven't arrived. [SPEAKER_00]: I haven't got there yet. [SPEAKER_00]: It's like in football, you carry the ball, and the goal really is not so much to touch down, but you want to make a first down. [SPEAKER_00]: And one first down leads to another first down, you just want to move the sticks, right?

14:08 [SPEAKER_00]: You want to move the chains. [SPEAKER_00]: And that's what we're talking about in this conversation. [SPEAKER_00]: What is moving the chains look like if you're into football or a baseball, you're trying to not necessarily get a home run every time you come to the plate, but you just want to move the runners from first base, to second base, to third base. [SPEAKER_00]: And that's what we're talking about. [SPEAKER_00]: We're talking about being on the move and distractions keeps us from being on the move. [SPEAKER_00]: If that's you, identify the distractions that keep you from being on the move and being with Jesus, like it says here in Mark chapter three, it says he called them, a point at them that they might be with him, okay?

14:57 [SPEAKER_00]: And it's sometimes important to know what that looks like. [SPEAKER_00]: And I've talked about that in previous episodes. [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes spiritual activity doesn't equate spiritual maturity. [SPEAKER_00]: And people don't know what that looks like. [SPEAKER_00]: And so I think Mark III shows us what that looks like. [SPEAKER_00]: You know, when we're with him, it says, why that he might send them out to preach, [SPEAKER_00]: send them out the preach and to have authority to drive out demons. [SPEAKER_00]: Now think about those two things, send them out out the preach, and then have authority to drive out demons. [SPEAKER_00]: You know what comes to mind when I think about that passage, two things, influence and power, influence and power.

15:41 [SPEAKER_00]: The influence to be able to influence people, like when he says send them out the preach, [SPEAKER_00]: But the share your life and the gospel with influence because you've been with Jesus to share your life to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness because you've been with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: That's influence. [SPEAKER_00]: That's in a sense preaching, sharing the gospel. [SPEAKER_00]: And it says that they might drive out demons, have authority to drive out demons. [SPEAKER_00]: I like that the power to drive out demons.

16:23 [SPEAKER_00]: We can connect that to your context, your life context today, that would look like the power to maybe change it, change and transform the demons that's in your own life, about that, what are the demons that are in your own life that need to be driven out. [SPEAKER_00]: And once we're able to do that through what spending time with Jesus, we're the power to change the lives of other people, the people that you love and care about, the people that you see at the gym or in your workplace. [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe you don't love them, but maybe you'll grow to love them.

17:04 [SPEAKER_00]: But again, [SPEAKER_00]: the power to change your life and the lives of the people because you've been with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: And this passage talks about how Jesus was very intentional about this and we need to be intentional about spending time with him. [SPEAKER_00]: I would say another benefit of this spending time with Jesus, and actually it can be for their benefit, until God's glory, people notice when you have been with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: They notice.

17:45 [SPEAKER_00]: They may not agree. [SPEAKER_00]: with your position on Jesus, but they notice. [SPEAKER_00]: And we see this in the life of this dude, Peter, again, another great example of this disciple. [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, this dude was asked, what about you? [SPEAKER_00]: Who do you say the son of man is? [SPEAKER_00]: And he says, man, you are the Christ. [SPEAKER_00]: You are that dude. [SPEAKER_00]: You are the goat, the true greatest of all. [SPEAKER_00]: The true greatest of all time. [SPEAKER_00]: And so next chapter four, verse 12, he and John are encountered.

18:28 [SPEAKER_00]: They encountered the religious leaders who weren't too happy about the impact that they were having. [SPEAKER_00]: In verse 12, [SPEAKER_00]: They're talking about Jesus, and Peter says salvation is found in no one else. [SPEAKER_00]: For there is no other name under heaven, given to men by which we must be safe. [SPEAKER_00]: When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled or nearly men, [SPEAKER_00]: they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

19:09 [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, since he knows this Jesus, because he spent time with him, intentional time, purposeful time with him, he's preaching in the name of Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: He says salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given unto heaven. [SPEAKER_00]: And these leaders, it says, when they saw the courage, the fearlessness of these guys, they took note, realize these guys, even though they were unschooled or neary men, they took note. [SPEAKER_00]: They didn't have these Bible degrees and they didn't go to seminary school and by the way, hey, you don't need to go to seminary school, have a Bible degree certificate.

19:59 [SPEAKER_00]: For people to take note that you've been with Jesus. [SPEAKER_00]: They were unschooled, they're ordinary, but it says these guys were astonished. [SPEAKER_00]: They took note. [SPEAKER_00]: astonished and took note. [SPEAKER_00]: Now I've said that several times because I want you to take note I want you to be aware. [SPEAKER_00]: These leaders, they were placed on notice. [SPEAKER_00]: Peter and John's like, hey, we got receipts. [SPEAKER_00]: We have receipts, okay? [SPEAKER_00]: We've been spending time with Jesus and we want you to know that salvation is found in no one else. [SPEAKER_00]: We've been hanging with the Messiah, and He has commissioned us, and He has empowered us, and He has given us authority to preach the word boldly for our lives having impact.

20:45 [SPEAKER_00]: And it was noticeable. [SPEAKER_00]: Let me ask you, friend, how would you like to have an impact that your family notices your spouse, your kids and the people in your workplace? [SPEAKER_00]: Your household if you have roommates, your campus. [SPEAKER_00]: I mean, this confession of Peter's faith. [SPEAKER_00]: It says, this belief who Jesus was was revealed to him by God, as I said earlier, not by pastors, religious gurus, it wasn't.

21:27 [SPEAKER_00]: Because there are certain things that God will reveal that He only reveals through us spending time with Him. [SPEAKER_00]: And we get it by the time that we spend with God. [SPEAKER_00]: So, let me think of it that way. [SPEAKER_00]: God only reveal certain things by the purpose of time that we spend with Him and that's mind blowing. [SPEAKER_00]: That's mind blowing. [SPEAKER_00]: I love that. [SPEAKER_00]: Here's the second thing that I would say that's for me, at least, is pretty mind-blowing about this, is that the confession was the foundation upon which the church was built.

22:13 [SPEAKER_00]: As you know that, look, I'm going to look back at Matthew 16 again, and he says in verse 18, [SPEAKER_00]: And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church in the gase of Hades when not overcoming. [SPEAKER_00]: He said, upon this rock, what rock? [SPEAKER_00]: The confession that he made that you are the Christ of Son of the Living God. [SPEAKER_00]: Now, [SPEAKER_00]: This can be a stumbling block. [SPEAKER_00]: We can have a conversation as we look at the church today. [SPEAKER_00]: We don't see this rock. [SPEAKER_00]: We don't see this this strong foundation. [SPEAKER_00]: We see a lot of broken men like you and I, broken men and women and there's a lot of stuff with church.

22:53 [SPEAKER_00]: But again, I want to bring you back to who do you say? [SPEAKER_00]: The sun of man is. [SPEAKER_00]: Because it says, the gates of Hades, because of this confession of you or the Christ, the son of the living God, I'm going to build my church upon that, and the gates of hell were not prevailing against it. [SPEAKER_00]: Even with all the faults of the church, and the church still around, and it's not going to be where because we make up the church. [SPEAKER_00]: And a church is only as strong as the weakest link in it. [SPEAKER_00]: And so you can be a part of a fellowship and really be instrumental in strengthening in it by you also having this intentional time that you spend with Jesus.

23:41 [SPEAKER_00]: Because this kind of faith, this kind of belief my friend changes lives, changes lives, changes destinies. [SPEAKER_00]: And in the biblical film room, [SPEAKER_00]: this kind of faith that can have a similar impact that we read about and scripture. [SPEAKER_00]: So I hope my friend, I hope this episode was different. [SPEAKER_00]: I hope it resonated with you and challenge you. [SPEAKER_00]: It may not have, and that's okay too.

24:22 [SPEAKER_00]: My podcast is meant to reach an inspired people who are willing to more closely examine their lives through the lens of scripture so that they might hate healing emotionally, connect relationally, and grow spiritually. [SPEAKER_00]: To their benefit, to the benefit of others and to God's glory. [SPEAKER_00]: If you're sitting there driving or working out in this episode, spoke to you and you feel like there may be something holding you back from living out this walk that we've just discussed. [SPEAKER_00]: I want to invite you to book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call with me and we can discuss where you are in your journey.

25:07 [SPEAKER_00]: What's keeping you stuck and whether biblical counseling [SPEAKER_00]: There's no pressure or obligation, just a graceful space for you to impact your pain points. [SPEAKER_00]: You'll find the scheduling link in the show notes. [SPEAKER_00]: Got a few film room takeaways for you. [SPEAKER_00]: Hey, everyone has opinions about Jesus and experiences with religion and Christianity, but the convictions and experiences you have with Jesus matters the most. [SPEAKER_00]: Secondly, the way you view Jesus through spending intentional time with him determines the impact you'll have for him on the lives of those.

25:53 [SPEAKER_00]: You care about the most. [SPEAKER_00]: And then lastly, what God gives you, like a gay Peter, isn't just for you, is something you can steward and give away to others. [SPEAKER_00]: What about you? [SPEAKER_00]: Who do you say the son of man is? [SPEAKER_00]: Not your spouse or your pastor or your friends would say. [SPEAKER_00]: But what about you? [SPEAKER_00]: And if you have trouble answering that question, that's okay. [SPEAKER_00]: Hey, keep listening to the broadcasts to this podcast.

26:33 [SPEAKER_00]: And in fact, be sure to tune in next week because I'm going to break down to core beliefs that I have that have shaped why I strive to be with Jesus and walk with him as close as I possibly can. [SPEAKER_00]: And why I continue to do this podcast? [SPEAKER_00]: Cause it takes time. [SPEAKER_00]: So hit that subscribe button so that you don't miss an episode. [SPEAKER_00]: And please share the podcast with a friend or a family member who you think might benefit from listening. [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks again for joining me. [SPEAKER_00]: Now, it go be a world changer, but not a stranger. [SPEAKER_00]: So I'll see you next time in the biblical film room where God's Word becomes the replay that changes your life.

27:19 [SPEAKER_00]: God's speed. [SPEAKER_00]: Adios.