Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we'll be diving into a crucial passage from Matthew 16:13-20. A passage that deals with the power of confessing Christ, the process of discipleship, and the profound impact that following Jesus has on our lives.

As Oswald Chambers once said, "Our Lord's conception of discipleship is not that we work for God, but that God works through us." Today, we're going to unpack what that truly means.

Let's read the passage together:

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 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. 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.' Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah."

The Power of Confessing Christ

Confessing Christ is not merely a verbal declaration, but a powerful proclamation that shapes our identity, transforms our lives, and impacts our world. It is an act of faith that acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, as Peter did in our passage today. This confession is not a mere intellectual assent to a set of doctrines or a religious ritual, but a personal and profound acknowledgment of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

Why confess?: When we confess Christ, we are aligning ourselves with the truth of God's Word and the reality of His redemptive work in our lives. This confession is a response to the revelation of God, as Jesus pointed out to Peter, "this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." It is a divine revelation that leads to a human confession. It is not something we can come to on our own, but it is a truth that God reveals to us, and in response, we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts.

The transformation it brings in our lives: When we confess Christ, we are not just saying words, but we are declaring our allegiance, our loyalty, and our love for Jesus. This confession changes us from the inside out. It changes our hearts, our minds, and our lives. It changes our priorities, our values, and our actions. It changes our identity, as it did for Peter. Jesus said to him, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Peter's confession of Christ led to a new identity and a new purpose in life.

Extends beyond our personal lives to the world around us: Jesus said, "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." The confession of Christ is the foundation of the church, and it is the power that overcomes the forces of darkness in the world. When we confess Christ, we are joining in the mission of God to build His church and advance His kingdom on earth. We are participating in the victory of Christ over sin, death, and the devil.

An ongoing process: It is a daily decision to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior, to live for Him, and to proclaim His name in our words and actions. It is a commitment to follow Jesus, to learn from Him, and to become like Him. It is a journey of faith, hope, and love, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit and guided by the Word of God.

The Process of Discipleship

The process of discipleship is a journey that begins with a confession of faith in Jesus Christ, as we see in the case of Simon Peter in our passage ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO