The Son, Not A Stranger

This sermon centers on Jesus' identity as the divine Son of God and the Messiah, revealed through His impending suffering, death, and resurrection, which He repeatedly foretells to His disciples to prepare them for the coming tragedy. The narrative in Matthew 17:24–27, though seemingly about paying the temple tax, is a profound teaching moment where Jesus uses a miraculous fish with a shekel in its mouth to illustrate His unique relationship to God—free from earthly obligations as a Son, yet choosing to comply to avoid scandal and maintain witness. The passage underscores that Jesus' mission is not about legalistic compliance but about revealing His divine nature and calling His followers to know Him deeply, not just know about Him. The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship involves intimate knowledge of Christ, transforming believers into sons and daughters of God and brothers of Christ, empowering them as ambassadors to proclaim His glory. Ultimately, the message calls the church to a life of knowing, loving, and boldly declaring the true identity of Jesus—King, Savior, and Son of the living God.