MARK 8: Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

MARK 8: Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

FOUR PICTURES OF JESUS: 1. A locked gate. MYTH: God can’t be reached.

FOUR PICTURES OF JESUS: 2. A pile of luggage. MYTH: God doesn’t want me.

FOUR PICTURES OF JESUS: 3. An endless ladder. MYTH: God requires a lot of me.

FOUR PICTURES OF JESUS: 4. A free gift. The true picture of God.

EPHESIANS 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

HOW JESUS SEES YOU: 1. You are accepted.

ROMANS 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

JOHN 15:16 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

I PETER 2:9 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

PSALMS 27:10 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the L ORD will receive me.

HOW JESUS SEES YOU: 2. You are forgiven.

JOHN 3:17 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

MICAH 7:18 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

HOW JESUS SEES YOU: 3. You are invited.

REVELATION 3:20 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

REVELATION 22:17 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

JOHN 6: Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”