“Point of No Return” Matthew 16: /19/2008 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Point of No Return” 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:13-14) 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:13-14)

“Point of No Return” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17) 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17)

“Point of No Return” 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19) 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19)

“Point of No Return” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (Matthew 16:20)

“Point of No Return” “There are days in life that you recognize, without doubt, as turning points. Life lessons are learned in the wake of such extraordinary moments. They become our defining stories, the ones we tell for the rest of our lives because we know they somehow hold insight into life’s meaning.” -- Chaplain Ray Giunta Ground Zero

“Point of No Return” –Peter’s confession was a turning point. –When you meet Jesus, that encounter becomes a “point of no return.” –All of a sudden Jesus took them on a retreat at a place called Caesarea Philippi. –Peter’s confession was a turning point. –When you meet Jesus, that encounter becomes a “point of no return.” –All of a sudden Jesus took them on a retreat at a place called Caesarea Philippi.

“Point of No Return” –Their lives had fallen into a pattern. –But the old comfortable pattern was about to change. 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) –Their lives had fallen into a pattern. –But the old comfortable pattern was about to change. 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13)

“Point of No Return” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14)

“Point of No Return” –The average person didn’t really know Jesus at all. –Did you know that the same is true today? –That’s why the Lord said, 16 “But what about you?…Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:16) –The average person didn’t really know Jesus at all. –Did you know that the same is true today? –That’s why the Lord said, 16 “But what about you?…Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:16)

“Point of No Return” –Some day every person who has ever lived is going to be asked that same question. –Peter response, 16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15) –Some day every person who has ever lived is going to be asked that same question. –Peter response, 16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15)

“Point of No Return” 30 “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) 9 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) 30 “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) 9 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)

“Point of No Return” –That’s why Peter worshiped Jesus as God. 17 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) –That’s why Peter worshiped Jesus as God. 17 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

“Point of No Return” –Peter rejected the popular notion that Jesus was just a prophet. Jesus claimed to be equal with God. –Some liberal theologians hold that the moral teachings of Jesus made him holy. –At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus came to a “point of no return.” –Peter rejected the popular notion that Jesus was just a prophet. Jesus claimed to be equal with God. –Some liberal theologians hold that the moral teachings of Jesus made him holy. –At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus came to a “point of no return.”

“Point of No Return” –For the first time, Jesus began to explain to his disciples how he was going to Jerusalem to die. –From the transfiguration on there was a new pattern. 51 “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) –For the first time, Jesus began to explain to his disciples how he was going to Jerusalem to die. –From the transfiguration on there was a new pattern. 51 “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51)

“Point of No Return” –To their credit, the disciples followed. What about us? Will we follow Jesus when the pattern of our lives change? –To their credit, the disciples followed. What about us? Will we follow Jesus when the pattern of our lives change?

“Point of No Return” A turning point becomes a “point of no return” when we come to grips with the fact that this new situation, in order to be resolved, has to be leveraged by faith.

“Point of No Return” –Jesus was teaching his disciples how to leverage changes in their lives with faith. –By changing the pattern Jesus showed his disciples the make-up of time/life/and history. –It means you have to leverage out the naturality. –Jesus was teaching his disciples how to leverage changes in their lives with faith. –By changing the pattern Jesus showed his disciples the make-up of time/life/and history. –It means you have to leverage out the naturality.

“Point of No Return” –Can you see the “point of no return?” –In everyone’s life there are significant turning points, moments when a decision is made and the course of your life is forever changed. That’s when patterns change and new directions are embraced. –Can you see the “point of no return?” –In everyone’s life there are significant turning points, moments when a decision is made and the course of your life is forever changed. That’s when patterns change and new directions are embraced.

“Point of No Return” Conclusion 16 “the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16) –This means that God is not a sleeping giant. –Jesus is no longer on the cross. –He has risen to victory and He lives to uphold his people. Conclusion 16 “the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16) –This means that God is not a sleeping giant. –Jesus is no longer on the cross. –He has risen to victory and He lives to uphold his people.