Who Told You That Was Jesus?

Rediscovering the True Christ Beyond Fear, Tradition, and Distortion

By Grace Online Church
Message by Pastor Howard G. Lindsay
Scripture: Mark 8:27–29 (NLT)

What if the version of Jesus you were introduced to… wasn’t actually Jesus?

That question might sound surprising, but it’s exactly the powerful question Pastor Howard G. Lindsay asks in his message:

“Who Told You That Was Jesus?”

Based on Mark 8:27–29, this message invites believers and seekers alike to step back and reconsider something deeply important:
Who is Jesus really?

Because the truth is, many people today struggle with faith — not because they rejected Christ, but because they were introduced to a version of Him that doesn’t match the Jesus of the Bible.

And when that happens, faith can begin to feel heavy, confusing, or even painful.

But the good news is this:
The real Jesus is still waiting to be discovered.

The Question Jesus Asked Still Matters Today

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus asks His disciples a simple but profound question:

“Who do people say I am?”

They answered with many opinions.

Some said John the Baptist.
Some said Elijah.
Others said a prophet.

Then Jesus asked the deeper question:

“But who do YOU say I am?”
— Mark 8:29

That question is just as important today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Because everyone seems to have a version of Jesus.

Some describe a political Jesus.
Some present a judgment-first Jesus.
Others talk about a prosperity-only Jesus.

But not every version reflects the Christ revealed in scripture.

When Faith Becomes Fear Instead of Freedom

Pastor Howard shared a powerful reflection about growing up in church.

Like many people, faith was deeply woven into everyday life — shaping what you wore, where you went, and what you were allowed to do.

But over time, something subtle can happen.

Faith slowly becomes less about walking with God and more about trying not to mess up.

Instead of experiencing life with God, many people begin living with the constant pressure of trying not to fail.

Spirituality becomes a long list of rules.

Don’t go here.
Don’t say that.
Don’t listen to this.

The focus becomes staying out of trouble rather than discovering the life Jesus came to give.

But when we read the Gospels closely, we discover something different.

Jesus wasn’t constantly condemning people.

He was restoring them.

He was healing them.

He was inviting them into abundant life.

Jesus Came to Give Life — Not Fear

In John 10:10, Jesus says something that changes the way we understand faith:

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Not survival.

Life.

Not spiritual exhaustion.

Purpose.

Not constant fear.

Freedom.

Jesus wasn’t inviting people into a small, restricted life.

He was inviting them into a transformed life filled with grace, healing, and restoration.

Jesus Clearly Told Us Who He Is

One of the most powerful parts of the message is this reminder:

Jesus didn’t leave His identity open to speculation.

Throughout scripture, He tells us exactly who He is.

He said:

“I am the bread of life.”
“I am the light of the world.”
“I am the good shepherd.”
“I am the vine.”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Notice something about these descriptions.

They all point to life, nourishment, protection, and guidance.

Jesus never described Himself as:

Instead, He described Himself as the one who feeds, heals, restores, and leads people into life.

When Distorted Images Replace the Real Christ

Over time, faith can sometimes become shaped by things outside of scripture.

Culture.
Politics.
Fear.
Power.
Traditions.

When those influences begin to define Jesus, the picture becomes distorted.

And when our picture of Jesus becomes distorted, our faith becomes distorted too.

If Jesus is seen mainly as a judge, faith becomes fear.

If Jesus is seen mainly as a rule-keeper, faith becomes performance.

If Jesus is tied to politics or power, faith becomes control.

But when Jesus is recognized as the giver of life, faith becomes something completely different.

It becomes transformational.

A Message for Anyone Who Has Been Hurt by Church

Pastor Howard shared an important and compassionate truth in this message:

If you’ve been hurt by church…
If your experience with faith left you feeling judged or exhausted…

Your experience is real.

But that experience should not be confused with who Jesus truly is.

Sometimes what we inherit in church is sincere and well-intentioned.

But it can still be shaped more by tradition than by the voice of Christ.

The invitation of the Gospel is not simply to inherit faith.

It is to encounter Jesus personally.

The Invitation: Meet the Real Jesus

Before anyone gives up on faith, Pastor Howard encourages us to ask an important question:

Have you actually met Jesus?

Not the version shaped by fear.

Not the version shaped by politics.

Not the version shaped by human expectations.

But the Jesus who:

That is the Jesus of the scriptures.

And that is the Jesus still inviting people today.

A Final Reminder

Pastor Howard closes the message with a powerful truth:

We do not need a new faith.
We simply need a clearer picture of who Jesus is.

Because when we truly encounter the Christ revealed in scripture, we discover something beautiful.

Faith is not meant to trap us.

Faith is meant to free us.

And if something doesn’t look like the Jesus of the Gospels…

It is not the Gospel.

Join Grace Online Church

Grace Online Church invites you to continue exploring the life-giving message of Christ with us.

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Instagram: @graceonlinechurch
Website: www.graceonlinechurch.com

Share this message with someone who needs encouragement today.

Because the real Jesus is still changing lives.

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