Getting It Right Series

Series: Journey to the Cross

Text: Matthew 16:13-23

Title: “Getting It Right”

Introduction

• As we begin our journey to the cross, it’s important that we start off on the right foot.

o How we start sets the tone for how the rest of the trip is going to play out.

o Kind of like going on vacation; if things start going wrong before you even hit the road you know it’s going to be a long trip.

I. Asking The Right Question (13-17)

• This event is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus.

o Up until this point Jesus’ focus has clearly been on others.

o Now He begins to focus on His disciples as the cross at Calvary grows ever closer.

• “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

o This is a very broad and general question to which everyone has an answer of some type.

Vs. 14

o John the Baptist  Jesus was a great preacher and a messenger from God (those who focused on His message).

o Elijah  Jesus preformed signs and wonders that no one had ever seen before (those who focused on His miracles).

o Jeremiah or one of the prophets  people could not question what Jesus said or did, but these were indifferent about finding out for themselves.

• Notice Jesus doesn’t even comment on any of these answers, because that was not the important question.

Vs. 15

• “But who do you say that I am?”

o This is the single most important question we will ever have to answer.

o This is where the journey must be begin; it’s not the end of some kind of spiritual journey or quest, but the starting point.

Vs. 16

• Peter answers, ‘You are the Messiah and the Son of God.’

o Christ  Jesus was God’s chosen prophet, priest, and king; He was the fulfillment of all the OT prophecies of God’s promise.

o Son of the Living God  More importantly Peter says that He is God.

• Jesus’ disciples had witnessed what everyone else saw; however they came to the only conclusion that is acceptable.

Vs. 17

• The reason they came to a different conclusion  faith.

John 6:44 -- 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

o As God’s Spirit reveals to us who Jesus is we have a decision to make; receive Him as my personal Savior or reject Him.

o The only sin that cannot be forgiven is when the Holy Spirit reveals the truth about Christ and we call Him a liar.

II. Building On The Right Rock (18-19)

Vs. 18

• We know that Jesus changed the name of Cephas to Peter, which means rock.

o Based on that many think that Jesus is telling Peter that he will be the foundation on which the NT Church is built.

• But here is where a closer look at the words is helpful in understanding the text.

o Jesus called Peter (petros) which means a small stone or pebble.

o However the rock on which Jesus will build His Church is the word (petra) which means bedrock.

o So who is the bedrock, consider these verses.

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 -- 3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. 4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

2 Samuel 22:2 -- 2 And he said: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

1 Corinthians 10:4 -- 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock(petra) that followed them, and that Rock(petra) was Christ.

• The foundation on which the Church is built is not built upon a man, Peter; but is built upon Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11 -- 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

o If we desire to build anything in our lives or in our church, then it must be built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His word.

Matthew 7:24-27 -- 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”