Series: A MAN CALLED PETER “Peter’s Declaration of Faith” (Matthew 16:13-19)

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you, You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom and whatever you lock on earth shall be locked in heaven and whatever you unlock on earth shall be unlocked in heaven.’” MATTHEW 16:13-19

BACKGROUND “Now, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi….” (Matthew 16:13)

TWO QUESTIONS FIRST QUESTION: “WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT THE SON OF MAN IS?” ANSWER: “SOME SAY – JOHN THE BAPTIST ELIJAH (Malachi 4:5) JEREMIAH (II MACABEES – historical tradition) SOME OTHER PROPHET” (resurrected)

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT JESUS Napoleon: “I know men and Jesus Christ was no mere man.” Pilate: “He is a man without fault” John Stuart Mill: “He is the pride of humanity” Martineau: “He is the divine flower of humanity” Renan: “He is the greatest among the sons of men” Tim Rice: “He is Jesus Christ Superstar” Others: “He is a great moral teacher”

C.S. LEWIS: “Don’t call him a great moral teacher!” “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: (They say,) “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic… or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You make your choice. Either this man was and is the Son of God, or else a mad man or something worse…. You can call Him a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God… but He did not intend for us to call Him a great moral teacher.”

TWO QUESTIONS (Cont.) SECOND QUESTION: “But who do YOU say that I am?” PETER’S ANSWER: “YOU ARE THE CHRIST (Messiah), THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!” (Matthew 16:15,16)

HOW DID PETER KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF JESUS? “Blessed are you Simon Bar Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:17

PETER – THE ROCK! “And I say to you, that you are Peter (Petros) and on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:17) “And you (all believers) are of God’s household having been built upon the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, Christ Jesus Himself being the CORNERSTONE!” (Eph. 2:19,20) “And coming to Him (Jesus) as a Living Stone…you also as LIVING STONES (believers) are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood…” (I Peter 2:4,5)

PETER’S LEADERSHIP (In what way was Peter a foundational rock?) 1. Peter initiated leadership after Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:15) 2. Peter became the preacher at Pentecost (Acts 2:14; 3:12) 3. Peter became the spokesman for the church (Acts 4:8) Peter acted as the disciplinarian in the church (Acts 5:3) 5. Peter opened the door to Gentile inclusion (Acts 10) 6. Peter did miracles along with the other apostles (Acts 3:1-10) WHATEVER HAPPENED TO PETER?

3 FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW! “…upon this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and the gates of Hades SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT, and I give to you the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM that whatever you lock and unlock on earth shall be locked and unlocked in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18,19) 1. The church belongs to Jesus! (It is His Body!) 2. The church is a victorious church! (It is unstoppable!) 3. The church has been given the keys to the kingdom!

3 QUESTIONS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? (Col. 1:13) HOW IMPORTANT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD FOR MY LIFE TODAY? “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness….” (Matt. 6:33) WHAT ARE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM THAT WE POSSESS? (what do we have that makes an eternal difference?) (what do we have that the world does not have?)

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM! THE HOLY SPIRIT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING FAITH LOVE OF GOD PEACE OF GOD PRAYER (access to God) THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT And tho' this world with devils filled Should threaten to undo us We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us The prince of darkness grim We tremble not for him His rage we can endure For lo his doom is sure One little word shall fell him That word above all earthly pow'rs No thanks to them abideth The Spirit and the gifts are ours Thru Him who with us sideth Let goods and kindred go This mortal life also The body they may kill God's truth abideth still His kingdom is forever

MY PERSONAL DECLARATION OF FAITH “YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD AND I CHOOSE TO FOLLOW YOU WITH MY LIFE!”