Here are three things to remember when talking with a Muslim (or anyone for that matter) from Matthew 16:13-17…
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
I. Public Opinion – What do others say? (v13-14) – Muslims will often say like King Herod did or like the people from Jesus home town or like the rich young ruler or Nicodemus in John chapter 3, “Jesus was a prophet, a man sent from God. He did miracles and taught good things…” But that answer wasn’t sufficient, so Jesus goes on to ask…
II. Personal Question – What do you say? (v15-16) – In verse 15 Jesus asks a very personal question, “But whom say ye that I am?” and Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Not only is this one of the most important questions to ask ourselves, it is also the most important question that we must ask others. It is not enough simply to fight lies – we must focus on the Truth! If we never come to a point where we ask/share about Jesus Christ, then we are never really talking about the Gospel [the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins according to the Scriptures as is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4]…
III. Possible Success – How did Peter know? (v17) – But even if you do evangelize, give out Bibles, water the “seed,” there will be no success unless the Lord reveals it to them. We plant and water, but the Lord gives the increase and growth. Like the Psalmist says in Psalm 127:1-2, unless the Lord builds and keeps watch, it is in vain that the builder builds, the watchman keeps watch and in vain that people rise up early and go to bed late. For God gives his beloved rest and even with all of our discipline, our success must be fully dependent upon the Lord!
– posted by Fady