Binding And Loosening Series

Title: Binding & Loosening

Theme: To show that the Lord has called us to bind up the wounds of people and loosen their bonds.

Text: Matthew 16:13 - 19

Introduction

We had a wonderful Prayer Conference this year. The Lord really touched some hearts and revived our spirits. As one preacher said, “It doesn’t take much to receive in a service when you are ready. Many times it is not about the whole message but one word or sentence that changes the way you think and wakens up something in your spirit.”

That is what happened to me. Maybe what I am going to share with you is an old cliché but I believe it is what God has set for us during this New Year as we “go deep”. I want you if you would to open up you Bibles and turn with me to Matthew 16:13 -19. We are going to expound these scriptures and I want the Lord to show us what he has for the church.

(13) When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

1. Jesus had asked a critical question: "Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?" We must know what others say about Jesus, just who He is. What men think of Jesus...

• determines their destiny

• determines how we are to reach out to them

• determines their reaction to us as we witness to them

• determines to a large degree the morality and justice of a society

— Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary

(14) So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

What people say.

John the Baptist – the fore runner to the Messiah, (Mormonism, New Age, etc. ), a good and moral man

Elijah – greatest prophet of all time, in line with the top, maybe Jesus is then next great prophet

Jeremiah – came to straighten out the religious system, he is a reviver of the times,

Prophets – one of the prophets, just one in the line of many

(15) He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

You – personal relationship. This is the most important question of all. What you think and do with Christ is a paramount.

(16) Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

• The Christ: the Messiah, the anointed One of God

• The Son of God: of the same being, the same substance; One with the Father (see note— Phil. 2:6).

Philippians 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

• The Son of the Living God: the source and being of life; possessing the source, energy, and power of life within Himself (John 5:26; John 17:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

— Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary

John 5:26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved " Romans 10:9

(17) Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

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

{b) [draw him] No man is able to come to God except by God's Word through the Holy Spirit and his own conscience, both of which are God-given (Jn. 6:45; 16:7-11; Rom. 2:12-16).

—Dake's Study Notes

This is a revelation from the Father. The Lord was speaking to and through Peter.

(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

“this rock” – this foundation, the foundation that “"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." coupled with the revelation of the father “for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

the foundation of Christ

Ephesians 1:20-23 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, (21) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. (22) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.