Power Point Show (Part 2)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
"I Will Build My Church"
Intro.
1. Jesus spent much of His time teaching in the northern regions of Palestine (Galilee and even northward), Matt. 16:13 (15:21, 29).
2. His miracles and message drew huge crowds and made many enemies, 15:30-31; 16:1.
3. Matthew 16:13-20: What people were saying (13-14), what Peter confessed (15-17), what Jesus would do (18-19), what Peter/apostles would do (19), and what they were not to do (20).
I. WHAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING ABOUT JESUS, Matt 16:13-16.
A. “Who Do Men Say that I, the Son of Man, Am?” 16:13-14
1. People concluded different things about who Jesus was from His words and works. John…Elijah…Jeremiah…one of the prophets.
2. Men continue to give different answers about Jesus:
a. Created being less than Jehovah (a god) (Jehovah's Witnesses).
b. First spirit-child born to God in pre-existence (LDS).
c. Good moral man, teacher, but not divine (liberal theologians).
d. Delusional deceiver, conflicted (JC, Superstar).
3. What men say about Jesus does not define truth and must not define our understanding of Christ and our faith, John 14:8-11.
B. “But Who Do You Say that I Am?” Matt. 16:15-16
1. The Christ: Anointed, Chosen by God; Messiah (King), Ps. 2:2, 6.
2. The Son of the living God: Divine nature, cf. Ps. 2:7 (2 Sam. 7:14); Heb. 1:5 (2-3).
3. Peter: The good confession, cf. Matt. 10:32; 1 Tim. 6:12-13.
4. Any confession and assessment of Jesus that is inferior to this is false and blasphemous (John 5:18-23).
II. PETER’S CONFESSION (how to know who Jesus is), Matt. 16:15-17.
A. The Revelation of Who Jesus is Comes from God, Not Men, John 5:36-39; 8:18; Acts 2:22. The testimony of the Father:
1. Miraculous works of Jesus, John 5:36; 10:24-25; cf. Matt. 9:1-8
2. Words of the Father Himself, Matt. 3:17.
3. Scriptures, John 5:39, 46.
4. Words (teachings) of Jesus, 5:47; cf. Matt. 12:15-21.
B. We Must Assess the Evidence, cf. John 20:24-31 (Acts 17:2-4).
III. WHAT JESUS WOULD DO: BUILD HIS CHURCH, Matt. 16:18.
A. Building the Church (the saved, the called-out ones, Heb. 12:22-23):
1. Builder: Jesus Christ,
Heb. 3:3, 6
(Acts 2:47).
2. Foundation: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God,
Isa. 28:16
(Ps. 118:22-24; 1 Cor. 3:11).
3. The gates of Hades: The strength (power) of death (His death) would not prevent Christ from building His church, Acts 2:23-24 (25-31).
B. The Church: Those Called Out of the World into the Kingdom of the Son, 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Col. 1:13.
1. Called by the gospel into His kingdom, 1 Thess. 2:12; to obtain glory, 2 Thess. 2:14.
2. Added by Christ to His church, Acts 2:47.
C. The Importance and Value of the Church of Christ.
1. Christ built it by dying for it / purchasing it with His blood (Acts 20:28).
2. He loves and saves the church (Eph. 5:25, 23).
3. He expects us (the church) to be holy before Him (Eph. 5:27).
4. The church reveals God’s wisdom and eternal purpose in Christ (Eph. 3:10-11).
IV. WHAT THE APOSTLES WOULD DO: PRONOUNCE THE RIGHT OF ENTRY INTO THE CHURCH, Matt. 16:19 (18:18).
A. Keys: Accessibility to the Kingdom (Church) (cf. Isa 22:22).
1. By gospel preaching, cf. Acts 2:22, 40-41, 47; 5:20, 42.
2. By it, forgiveness or retention of sins occurs, John 20:21-23.
3. The apostolic words are the measure of faithfulness to the Christ, John 13:20; 1 John 4:6 (2:18-19).
V. WHAT JESUS PROHIBITED THE APOSTLES FROM DOING, Matt. 16:20.
A. Apostles Were Not to Tell Others He Was the Christ. Why not?
1. The evidence spoke for itself.
a. The Father was revealing Jesus as the Christ by His works and words (16:17).
b. Each person must come to faith by His words and works.
2. They did not yet understand Messiah’s work, Matthew 16:21-23.
3. Apostles equipped after His resurrection, Matthew 16:4 (Rom. 1:4); Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8.
Conclusion
Who do you say Jesus is? Your answer will determine your eternity, Matt. 10:32-33.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted January 4, 2024