THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Text: Matthew 16:13-20 INTRO: Needless to say the main function of a key is to open and lock doors to allow and prohibit entrances. What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven? Remember we don’t have to die to heaven.

He wanted us to experience heaven on earth. AIM: FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. TO OBTAIN THOSE KEYS. I. THESE KEYS ARE PERSONAL Who do men say that I, the son of Man am?-v 13 They said, some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, or one of the prophets-v 14

Here He called Himself as the Son of Man instead of Son of God. Unfortunately, for some, their belief are based on what others say. Ex. Adults whose age are matured enough but still dependent on the faith of their parents. Your belief of who Jesus is matters most not on what other say. They were saying Jesus was the spirit of John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." John 6:15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. 1Sa 8:5 and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

1Sa 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, 1Sa 8:20 "that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.“ Here lies the problem, they wanted Him to fight for their battle or help them but not to reign over them.

II. HE MADE IT PERSONAL Who do you say that I am? It should not what others say but our own belief of who Jesus is. We should stand on our own. Some go to church because their friends are there, their families are there, but doesn’t have a personal belief in God. III. SIMON’S ANSWER You are the Christ, the Son of the living God-v 16

It wasn’t revealed to him by flesh and blood. 1Cr 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, many call Him Lord but has no personal convictions of who He is, rather they based their belief on what others say. Simon-(listening)-He received the revelation as he knows how to listen

Peter means Rock From listening you will have foundation (Rock). IV. WHAT IS THE ROCK THEN? I say to you that you are Peter (Rock) On this rock He will build His church JESUS IS THE CHRIST (the Anointed One),THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD Church (Ekklesia) Iglesia means community of believers. If a church believe on the same revelation (truth), it is a real church of Christ.

His question to them was, “Who do they say that I, the son of man am?” The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it-v 18 Your personal belief of who Jesus is could not be prevailed by any works of hell. No matter what kind of storm that comes against you, you will remain standing because you are grounded on the Rock (Jesus). If your belief is on His creation, you will easily fall. V. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE WOULD NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IF WE DO NOT OBEY THE WILL OF THE FATHER. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

V. THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN You have to understand that you cannot use either one of them, but these are combinations keys. The main function of a key is the prohibition and permission of entrances. COMB. no. 1 -Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have

everlasting life. COMB. No. 2- Obey the commandments Mat 19:17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.“ Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, "Who [is] the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.“ COMB no. 3- Be converted and become like a child. Mat 18:3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

COMB no. 4-Be born again John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ Kingdom of heaven life is a victorious life VI. THE POWER OF THE KEYS The gates of Hades shall not prevail Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven Whatever you loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven-v 19

You have to bear in mind that Christ came to destroy the works of the devil-I John 3:8 H came to restore our rulership and dominion on earth. When He said whatever you bind or loosed on earth will be bound and loosed in heaven-Rulership restored. Act 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We [fn] exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul

preaches." Act 19:14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Act 19:16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

VII. IRONIC COMMAND FOR THEM Mat 16:20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. Mat 9:30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See [that] no one knows [it]." Mat 9:31 But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. Act 19:14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Act 19:16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Mat 17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.“ Why? Mat 17:10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Mat 17:11 Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.

Mat 17:12 "But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands." CHALLENGE: What is your personal view of who Jesus is? Is He just a helper of your needs or the King who reign in your life?

CONCLUSION: Mat 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed [fn] in heaven."