30/08/2026
JESUS, THE CHRIST
SUNDAY SERVICE | 30 AUGUST 2026
Speaker: Elder Gabolekwe
MATTHEW 16:13–18
Elder Gabolekwe opened the sermon with Jesus’ question to His disciples: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” After hearing different answers, Jesus asked the question that matters most:
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This was more than information. It was revelation.
But something powerful happened in that same encounter. Peter did not only receive revelation about Jesus; his own identity was also revealed and changed.
Jesus said to him:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.” Matthew 16:18
Peter was known as Simon Bar Jonah, but Jesus called him Peter.
He entered the encounter as Simon, but Jesus spoke to the identity He was going to build.
Simon was associated with instability, but Jesus saw Peter, the rock.
The man who would later deny Jesus three times would eventually stand boldly and preach Christ before rulers.
This shows us something powerful: when you encounter Jesus, He does not only change your circumstances; He changes you.
Elder Gabolekwe emphasised that there is a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. A person can know theology, attend church, read the Bible, sing about Jesus and even preach about Him, yet still lack a personal revelation of who He truly is.
Drawing from Apostle Ezekiel Guti’s Two Ways of Knowing God, Elder Gabolekwe spoke about knowing God through theology and knowing Him through personal experience and revelation. Knowledge can inform us, but an encounter with God transforms us.
Elder Gabolekwe shared from his own testimony of prayer, fasting, seeking God and searching the Scriptures. His declaration was simple:
“I don't just know about Him. I know Him.”
He reminded the church of Paul’s words:
“For I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12
When everything else is shaken, Jesus remains.
When doors close, Jesus remains.
When our strength is gone, Jesus remains.
Elder Gabolekwe further showed that an encounter with Jesus changes a person. Abram became Abraham. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul. Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and his character changed.
When Jesus enters your life, something must change.
He changes your thinking, your character, your direction, your desires and your purpose.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
Elder Gabolekwe reminds us that the old life cannot remain in control when Christ becomes Lord.
And there is something else we must understand: there is power in the name of Jesus.
In Acts 3, Peter looked at the lame man and declared:
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
It was not Peter’s name.
It was not John’s name.
It was the name of Jesus!
Acts 4:12 declares that there is salvation in no other name. Philippians 2:9 to 11 tells us that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name above every name.
Your problem may be big, but Jesus is bigger.
Your storm may be violent, but Jesus is Lord over the storm.
Your situation may look impossible, but Jesus has the final word.
Daniel faced the lions. The three Hebrew men faced the fire. The woman with the issue of blood faced sickness. Bartimaeus faced blindness. Lazarus faced death.
But they encountered Jesus.
You may enter the fire, but the fire will not have the final word.
You may enter the lions’ den, but the lions will not have the final word.
You may walk through the valley, but the valley will not have the final word.
JESUS HAS THE FINAL WORD!
Elder Gabolekwe then brought the sermon to the cross, the greatest demonstration of Christ’s love. Jesus was rejected, beaten, crucified and buried, yet He still prayed:
“Father, forgive them.”
But the grave could not hold Him.
JESUS ROSE!
Because He lives, we have hope.
Because He lives, we have salvation.
Because He lives, we have victory.
The sermon ended with the same question Jesus asked Peter:
WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?
He is the Christ.
He is the Son of the living God.
He is the Saviour.
He is the Healer.
He is the Deliverer.
He is the Resurrection and the Life.
And Elder Gabolekwe declared:
“I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED.”
When the storm comes, CALL JESUS.
When the battle comes, CALL JESUS.
When you are weak, CALL JESUS.
When you don't know what to do, CALL JESUS.
For the name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
JESUS IS ENOUGH.
JESUS IS OUR VICTORY.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! 🙏🔥