Who Is Jesus? (Creed Part 2)
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Big Idea
Jesus isn't a good option — he's either who he said he is, or he's irrelevant.
Hook — Who's the Greatest?
Bring up a "greatest of all time" debate — LeBron vs. Jordan, Messi vs. Ronaldo, or whoever fits the group. Let them argue for 60 seconds. Then pivot: "Okay, but none of those guys claimed to be God. Jesus did. And he lived 2,000 years ago, and we're still talking about him. So either he's the most arrogant person in history, or he's telling the truth. There's no middle ground."
Scripture — Philippians 2:5-11 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
- Philippians 2:5-11 — The "Christ Hymn." Possibly the earliest Christian creed — older than the Apostles' Creed itself. It's poetry. Read it like poetry. The Creator became a servant. The King washed feet. The immortal died. The Greek word is kenosis — self-emptying. He didn't just come down — he emptied himself. For us.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 — Paul lists the eyewitnesses. Peter. The Twelve. 500 people. James. Paul himself. "I saw him alive with my own eyes." And Paul was a skeptic — he was killing Christians before this. He didn't want to believe. He had to.
Connect — Superhero Origin Stories
Every superhero has an origin: something happens that changes them, and they use their power for others. Spider-Man (great power, great responsibility). Superman (sent from another world to save this one). Iron Man (literally gives his life to save everyone in Endgame).
The difference: Superheroes are fiction. They save people in stories. Jesus claimed to be real, in real history, and to actually defeat real death. Paul's point in 1 Corinthians 15: "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Christianity stands or falls on a historical event, not a nice story.
Ask: "What's the difference between a superhero movie and the gospel? Both have someone who saves people. What makes one real?"
Land the Plane
"Jesus didn't say 'follow my teachings.' He said 'follow ME.' He claimed to be God, he died on a Roman cross, hundreds of people saw him alive three days later, and it changed the world forever. That's not a myth. That's history. And if it's true, your response to him is the most important decision you'll ever make."
Discussion Questions
- If someone asked you "who is Jesus?" right now, what would you say?
- Paul was killing Christians before he met Jesus. What do you think it would take to change YOUR mind about something that dramatically?
- What's keeping you from following Jesus — if anything?
Handout
One Thing to Remember: Jesus didn't say "follow my teachings." He said "follow ME."
The Christ Hymn — Philippians 2:5-11
This passage is one of the oldest pieces of Christian writing — possibly older than the Apostles' Creed. The pattern: the lowest point becomes the platform for the highest glory.
- He was EQUAL with God
- He EMPTIED himself (kenosis)
- He became a SERVANT
- He DIED on a cross
- God EXALTED him above everything
Exercise: The Kenosis Challenge
Kenosis means "self-emptying." Jesus didn't just come down — he poured himself out. Where are you holding on to something you don't want to let go of? Control? Pride? A relationship? An image? Comfort? Anger?
Exercise: Eyewitness Report
1 Corinthians 15 lists people who saw the risen Jesus: Peter, the Twelve, 500 people, James, Paul. Imagine you're a journalist in Jerusalem, AD 55. Write three questions you'd ask an eyewitness. Now flip it — if someone asked YOU "what do you know about Jesus?", what would you actually say?
Exercise: Superhero vs. Savior
| Superhero | Jesus | |
|---|---|---|
| Fictional or real? | ||
| Saves people by | ||
| Dies for anyone? | ||
| Comes back to life? | ||
| Demands a response? | ||
| What happens if you ignore them? |
This Week's Challenge
Ask someone who doesn't go to church: "What do you think about Jesus?" Just listen. Don't argue. Write down what they said and bring it next week.
Scripture for Next Week
Read John 14:15-27 and Acts 2:1-13
Come with one note and one question.
Reflection Guide
Core Question for Reflection
If someone asked you "who is Jesus?" right now, what would you say?
Not what you've heard at church. Not the "right" answer. What do YOU actually believe about Jesus right now?
Questions to Help You Dig Deeper
- Follow My Teachings vs. Follow ME — Jesus didn't say "follow my teachings." He said "follow ME." What's the difference? Why is one easier to accept than the other?
- The Kenosis Challenge — Kenosis means "self-emptying." Jesus emptied himself for you. What are you holding onto that you don't want to let go of?
- Eyewitness Evidence — 1 Corinthians 15 reads like a lawyer presenting evidence. If this is real history and not mythology, what does it demand of you?
- Superhero vs. Savior — Superheroes save people in stories. Jesus claimed to save people in real life. Why are people more comfortable talking about superheroes than about Jesus?
Personal Application
Choose ONE concrete action:
- Ask someone who doesn't go to church: "What do you think about Jesus?" Just listen. Write down what they said.
- Read Philippians 2:5-11 out loud every day this week — notice the shape of the poem
- Fill out the Kenosis Challenge: name one thing you're holding onto and what letting go would look like
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and treat it like evidence — what questions would you ask an eyewitness?
Journal Prompt
Paul went from killing Christians to becoming one. What do you think that moment was like when he realized Jesus was real?