August 7. What Do You Think of Christ?
J.R. Miller emphasizes the vital importance of personally recognizing and trusting in Christ's divine nature for salvation and daily help, beyond mere doctrinal knowledge.
In this devotional sermon, J.R. Miller challenges listeners to examine their personal understanding and relationship with Christ. He highlights the crucial difference between merely knowing about Christ and truly trusting in Him as divine Savior and Helper. Miller calls for a living faith that goes beyond orthodox opinions to a heartfelt commitment that transforms daily life and secures eternal salvation.
Text
"But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Matthew 16:15
It is to us a great deal more important question what we think personally about Christ — than what the world thinks about Him. We may be able to state the doctrines of all the creeds of Christendom concerning His person; and yet the question remains: "Whom do you say that I am? What do you think of Christ?"
It is vitally important that we have right views of Christ. Who is He? Is He divine, or only human? If He is only human, we may get much profit from His teachings and from His example — but that is all. In our days of struggle and temptation — we cannot turn to Him for personal help. The holiest saints in Heaven cannot impart to us any strength in our weakness. They cannot reach down their hands to lead us, to defend us, to help us over the hard places. If we fall — they cannot lift us up again. We can get no help from John or from Paul.
If Jesus was no more than a good and holy man — He can do nothing for us now — excepting through His teachings and His example; but if He is divine, He can be to us all that we need as — friend, helper, guide, comforter, refuge. So we see that it does matter what we believe concerning the Person of Christ. Doctrines are important.
Then, when the doctrinal question has been answered, there are other questions that come still more closely home: "What is Christ to you personally? Is He only in your creed? Is He only a person about whom you believe a great many blessed and glorious things? Is He in your thoughts only as the mighty Savior of all who believe on Him? Is He anything to you personally? Is He your Savior, your Friend, your Helper?"
These are the questions that tell just where we stand with regard to Christ and eternal life. Opinions about Christ, though ever so true and orthodox — are not enough; only living faith in Him saves!
Sermon Outline
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I
- The critical question: Who do you say Christ is?
- The difference between worldly and personal views of Christ
- The necessity of having a right view of Christ's person
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II
- The implications if Christ is only human
- The insufficiency of Christ as merely a moral example
- The inability of saints to help us as Christ can
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III
- The power and help available if Christ is divine
- Christ as friend, helper, guide, comforter, and refuge
- The importance of doctrinal truth about Christ
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IV
- Personal application: Is Christ real to you?
- Faith in Christ as the key to salvation
- Living faith versus mere orthodox opinion
Key Quotes
“But what about you? Who do you say I am?” — J.R. Miller
“If Jesus was no more than a good and holy man — He can do nothing for us now — excepting through His teachings and His example.” — J.R. Miller
“Only living faith in Him saves!” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Evaluate your personal belief about who Christ is and what He means to you.
- Develop a living faith in Christ that goes beyond intellectual assent to personal trust.
- Rely on Christ as your daily helper and refuge in times of struggle and temptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to have a right view of Christ?
Because only if Christ is divine can He provide personal help, guidance, and salvation, beyond being just a moral example.
Can we rely on saints or holy people for help instead of Christ?
No, the sermon explains that saints cannot help us as Christ can; only Christ can lift us up and provide strength.
Is believing correct doctrine enough for salvation?
No, the sermon stresses that living faith in Christ is necessary for salvation, not just correct beliefs.
What does it mean to have Christ personally?
It means Christ is not just a theological concept but your Savior, Friend, Helper, and refuge in daily life.