In this powerful sermon, Pastor Ortiz explores the crucial theme of identity through the life of the Apostle Peter. The message begins in Matthew 16, where Jesus asks His disciples, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” and more importantly, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter boldly confesses, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” While this moment reveals great faith, it’s quickly followed by Peter rebuking Jesus when told of His coming suffering and death—prompting Jesus to respond, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” This sharp contrast illustrates the tension between divine revelation and human reasoning, and how our identity can shift quickly when it’s not rooted in Christ.

The message challenges us to examine the question: Who are you? Pastor Ortiz emphasizes that understanding who Jesus is begins with understanding who we are. He identifies four identities seen in Peter that often reflect our own spiritual journey:

1. The Natural Self (Simon) – In John 21, Jesus calls Peter by his given name, Simon, highlighting his carnal, selfish nature. Like Peter, we often live for ourselves, concerned about our own problems, comfort, and survival, rather than fully trusting God.

2. The Confessor – In Matthew 16:16, Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ. Many believers stop here—professing faith with their mouths but not living it out. Pastor Ortiz warns against being “all words, no action” Christians. Faith must be lived, not just spoken.

3. The Adversary – Just verses later, Peter opposes Jesus’ plan and becomes a stumbling block. Jesus refers to him as “Satan,” not literally but as an adversary to God’s will. This highlights how even sincere believers can unknowingly resist God’s plans when they lean on their own understanding.

4. The Backslider – In John 21, Peter returns to fishing—back to what he knows—after failing Jesus. But his efforts are fruitless because he’s stepped outside of God’s calling. Many Christians revert to their comfort zones when discouraged, forgetting their divine purpose.

Despite these missteps, Jesus reminds Peter of his true identity: Peter the rock, a small stone in the foundation of the Church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus reaffirms Peter’s role, not as the foundation (which is Christ), but as a part of the Church’s growth and mission.

Pastor Ortiz concludes with three ways to reclaim our God-given identity:

1. Deny Yourself – We must let go of self-centeredness and take up our cross daily (Matt. 16:24). Denying the flesh is essential for spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will.

2. Abide in the Word – From John 8:31, we are reminded that continuing in God’s Word proves we are His disciples. True identity in Christ can only be discovered through immersion in Scripture.

3. Serve Faithfully – As seen in John 21, Jesus calls Peter to “feed my lambs” and “feed my sheep.” Our identity is tied to our willingness to serve others, particularly those in spiritual need.

This sermon is a compelling reminder that our words must align with our actions, and our true identity must be grounded not in what we say or do on our own—but in who Christ has called us to be.

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