Liar, Lord, or Lunatic: Examining Jesus' Identity

The Trilemma of Jesus' Identity

• 💡 CS Lewis's concept of Liar, Lord, or Lunatic is presented as the core choice when considering Jesus' claims and actions.
• 🎯 The sermon explores how three Old Testament passages and the Gospel of Mark illustrate people making poor choices regarding God and Jesus.

Adam and Eve's Choice

• 🐍 In Genesis, Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan over God, distrusting God's word about the tree of knowledge.
• ⚠️ This decision led to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, highlighting the danger of trusting the "father of lies."

Israel's Rejection of God as King

• 👑 The people of Israel demanded a king like other nations, rejecting God as their Lord and King, despite Samuel's warnings.
• 📉 This choice led to a history of mostly poor kings, with only a few exceptions, demonstrating the negative consequences of seeking human leadership over divine.

Family's Doubt of Jesus

• 🤔 Jesus' own family, including his mother Mary and brothers, came to take him home, believing he was crazy or acting erratically.
• 🤯 This reaction stemmed from Jesus' challenging teachings, such as loving enemies, turning the other cheek, and the concept that the meek inherit the earth.

Redemption and Restoration

• 🌱 Despite poor choices, God's plan for redemption is evident in each story, offering salvation through Jesus.
• 🤝 The sermon emphasizes that true followers are those who do the will of God, not just believe.
• 🌟 The example of James, Jesus' brother, who became a leader in the early church, shows transformation and belief after initial doubt.

The Role of a Pastor

• 🐑 When calling a pastor, the focus should be on them shepherding and equipping the congregation, not doing the church's work.
• ✅ The congregation is called to actively do the work of God, including forgiving, loving, and caring for others.