Hey Gang,
This week's lesson is about Peter’s confession, on behalf of the disciples, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and Jesus’ promise to be with His followers always. If you will let it - this lesson can challenge you to allow Jesus to work through you even in the face of “the forces of Hell.” Now, what could that possibly mean?
“Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”
Which one are you? Or are you bored with Church?
Some recent book titles about the church paint a concerning picture: “Loving God When You Don’t Love the Church” and “They Like Jesus But Not the Church.” Statistics reveal an unsettling exodus from the church by younger people who are 'spiritual but not religious.' This is no passing trend---but there is great hope.
there are Six Common Objections and Misunderstandings emerging generations have about the church and Christianity.
1. The church is an 'organized religion' with a political agenda
2. The church is judgmental and negative
3. The church is male dominated and oppresses females
4. The church is homophobic
5. The church feels Christianity is right and all other religions are wrong
6. The church is full of 'fundamentalists' who take the Bible too literally.
Certainly the church has its problems. Many churches misbehave, lack love, and are led by ministers who do not practice what they preach.
But is the church on its last leg?
Or does Jesus still work through His church?
1. The church is an 'organized religion' with a political agenda
2. The church is judgmental and negative
3. The church is male dominated and oppresses females
4. The church is homophobic
5. The church feels Christianity is right and all other religions are wrong
6. The church is full of 'fundamentalists' who take the Bible too literally.
Certainly the church has its problems. Many churches misbehave, lack love, and are led by ministers who do not practice what they preach.
But is the church on its last leg?
Or does Jesus still work through His church?
The Bible presents an optimistic perspective for the church.
Today’s lesson wants us to “live fascinated” - at how Jesus continues to work through us even in the face of “the forces of Hell.”
There are certain fundamental human questions with which we are never through. We come back to them again and again. We look at them in different lights and differing circumstances.
They are questions of identity. Who am I? Where do I fit in the scheme of things? Why am I here? What is my purpose, my mission?
Jesus was no different. The Gospel tells us that He “grew in wisdom and age.” There were certain key moments in this growth.
In the midst of all this, Jesus wants to lead the disciples to think about not only who they are, but who He is as well. You see, there were a lot of misunderstandings out there about Jesus.
Today’s lesson wants us to “live fascinated” - at how Jesus continues to work through us even in the face of “the forces of Hell.”
There are certain fundamental human questions with which we are never through. We come back to them again and again. We look at them in different lights and differing circumstances.
They are questions of identity. Who am I? Where do I fit in the scheme of things? Why am I here? What is my purpose, my mission?
Jesus was no different. The Gospel tells us that He “grew in wisdom and age.” There were certain key moments in this growth.
- The Baptism was one, where the Father’s voice was heard and the Spirit descended upon Him. He went out from there into the desert for forty days and forty nights to try to understand what this new experience meant for His identity and His mission.
- The Transfiguration was also one, where the Gospel tells us He was seen talking to Moses and Elijah about His exodus, His Passover, and what that meant for His life. Jesus often went out and spent the night in prayer, wrestling with the call of God in His life. All the way up to the agony in the garden, where He struggled mightily with who He was and what the Father was asking of Him.
In the midst of all this, Jesus wants to lead the disciples to think about not only who they are, but who He is as well. You see, there were a lot of misunderstandings out there about Jesus.
I. JESUS' WORK MISUNDERSTOOD – MATTHEW 16:13-14
Peter’s Confession of the Messiah
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Why do you think Jesus asked this question?
What did most people think that Jesus was?
Like the disciples, we too should have a feel for what people think of Jesus. It is easy to go through life never truly knowing what those around us believe about Jesus. We must be willing to talk about spiritual matters.
Who do people today say Jesus is? Why is it important for believers to know what others think and say about Jesus’ identity?
II. JESUS' WORK MANIFESTED – MATTHEW 16:15-19
15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.”
- If people don’t really understand who Jesus is then they certainly won’t understand His work here on earth. Jesus did not need insider info from His disciples. It was, however, important that they identify the false beliefs about Jesus.
What did most people think that Jesus was?
- The common belief was that Jesus was one of the great prophets raised back to life.
- This belief may have come from Deuteronomy 18:18, where God said He would raise up a prophet from among the people.
Like the disciples, we too should have a feel for what people think of Jesus. It is easy to go through life never truly knowing what those around us believe about Jesus. We must be willing to talk about spiritual matters.
Who do people today say Jesus is? Why is it important for believers to know what others think and say about Jesus’ identity?
- It’s not just other religions that misunderstand Jesus; many who claim to be Christians are confused about who Jesus is too. So there are many people today that misunderstand the church too and its role. They think it is primarily for those in the church rather than those outside of it. Similarly, many seem to think Jesus’ work is to please or satisfy them rather than to work through them to accomplish the Father’s purposes.
- In Episcopal circles, I suppose some would look to CS Lewis and say He is a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. Some might say He was a great teacher. Other would say He was the perfect the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, killed by Pilate, dead, and risen from the dead.
- The Muslim will argue, 'Where in the Bible does Jesus say, "I am God - worship me"? In Numbers 23:19, we find the statement, 'God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.' No doubt some Muslims will jump onto this reference as evidence against the claims of Christians.
- For the purpose of our discussion, the foundation text is found in Daniel 7:13-14: In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
- And, I'm afraid, some might stare blankly back at you, unable to express, in any way, who they understand the Son of Man to be.
- Jesus’ followers need to know what others think about Jesus.
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II. JESUS' WORK MANIFESTED – MATTHEW 16:15-19
15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.”
Why do you think Jesus didn’t ask, “Who do you think I am?” or “Who do you believe I am?”
- Many operate under false assumptions that faith is a private matter. They may think, what I believe is my business; what you believe is yours.
- Sometimes believers go through life without ever articulating what they believe about Jesus. In order to follow Christ, people must believe on Him as the Son of the living God. We must speak. We must proclaim. Thousands of Christians have died not because of what they believe (that is an interior conviction), but because of what they say.
What did Jesus mean by My church?
- The word church can refer to a local church or to all God’s people. The word my is important because it reminds us that the church – local and universal - belongs to Jesus.
- He is the Vine and His people are the branches, he is the Shepherd and His people are the sheep. Churches are not perfect because they are made up of people – who at best are only saved sinners.
Does the reference to “this rock” and “My church” cause any conflict between believers?
- The main fault lines have been between Roman Catholics and believers from other Christian groups.
- Roman Catholics see Christ’s church as the world organization of their church. Peter is seen as the rock on which the church is built. They believe that Peter became the first pope and passed to succeeding popes the power to forgive sin.
- Protestants do not believe any one organization is the church that Jesus built. The reference to the rock does not refer to Peter as the leader of the world church. Many believe the word rock in Jesus’ declaration refers to Christ or to Peter’s confession of faith, or they believe that Jesus used the apostles’ testimony to Jesus Christ as the foundation of the church.
Is there any significance to Simon son of Jonah’s name change to Peter?
- When Peter answers for all of them that Jesus is the Son of the Living God (his identity) and the Messiah (his mission), Jesus gives Peter a new identity. You are Rock. No longer is he Simon, son of Jonah, the Fisherman. He is now the Rock, the Fisher of men and women. As Peter gradually understood this new identity and the mission that came with it, he was strengthened himself and was sent to strengthen his brothers and sisters.
- Paul, too, went through such a conversion. And just like Peter (and unlike any of the other apostles) he was given a new name for his new identity. Saul, the Pharisee, became Paul, the Apostle. Saul, the intellectual grounded in both profane and sacred learning, became Paul, the humble servant of the Word.
In what sense did Jesus promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church?
- The promise Jesus makes is that evil and death and Satan will not prevail against HIS church. He said He would build HIS church on the confession of Peter, and that will stand. That is the promised victory. The church will be victorious over death and all evil powers.
What did Jesus mean by the keys of the kingdom of heaven?
- Keys are used to open and close doors. Jesus used the word keys here to refer to the power to bind or to loose.
- Christians can open the door to salvation to lost people by telling them about Jesus.
III. JESUS' WORK MANDATED – MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What is the central command Jesus gave His disciples? How are they to carry it out?
- Jesus’ authority is the basis by which we share the gospel, and His presence (v. 20) is the means by which we do it.
What was the thing closest to the Lord’s heart?
- The Great Commission shows that missions are the closest thing to Christ’s heart.
- This was His final marching orders. The emphasis on missions is found in some form in each Gospel and in the book of Acts.
What happens when a church is afflicted with programitis?
- Program-itis is a made-up word that I use to describe a condition that diminishes the church and inhibits its mission. It is the dependence upon programs that are produced by denominational publishing houses, para-church organizations, and mega-churches. These programs promise pastors and Christian educators that they will help their congregations to be on the “cutting edge” of cultural relevance, attract new members, and increase participation in church ministries. Over the past 50 years church leaders have been well trained to look for, purchase, and use the latest programs if they want to be effective and grow their churches.
- God transforms the world when grace flows through the church into the world. Grace is blocked when the church gets caught up in itself and its programs. Grace is blocked when discipleship is presented as a program choice among other options.
What can we say in our day when missionary work has such low priority with many church members? What are our excuses?
- Christians are called to obey the Great Commission.
- We are called to make disciples.
- We make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching.
- Jesus promised to be with those who obey His Commission.
Conclusion: Missionary C. T. Studd once said, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”
- Why is C. T. Studd’s comment a reasonable expectation for all believers and not just a select few?
- If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.
- When his critics told him to go home, that he had done enough, he replied, "God has called me to go, and I will go. I will blaze the trail though my grave may only become a stepping stone that younger men may follow."
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, help me do my part to enable You to fulfill Your magnificent purpose for Your church. Amen.
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Please be in prayer this week as we continue in this series on foundational truths of our faith.
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
