Introduction

Good day, dear friends, and welcome once again to our shared space of faith and fellowship. We gather here, not as strangers passing in the night, but as brothers and sisters, united by a common bond that transcends the ordinary.

Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound revelation, an understanding that will illuminate the path of our spiritual walk. We are here to perceive, pursue, and preserve our personal relationship with God.

The esteemed Christian theologian, J.I. Packer, once wrote, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." This profound statement encapsulates the essence of our discourse today.

Let us turn to the book of Matthew, chapter 16, verses 13 to 19: "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.'"

This passage, my dear friends, is a vivid reminder of our calling to recognize, acknowledge, and uphold our relationship with our heavenly Father. It's a call not just to know about God, but to truly know Him, to engage with Him in a personal, intimate relationship that shapes and defines our lives.

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day and the opportunity to gather in Your name. We ask for Your guidance as we seek to deepen our understanding of our relationship with You. Open our hearts and minds to Your truth, and grant us the wisdom to perceive, pursue, and preserve our personal relationship with You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, dear friends, are we ready to embrace this profound understanding? Are we ready to perceive, pursue, and preserve our personal relationship with God? Let us begin.

Perceiving Our Personal Relationship with God

Understanding our relationship with God begins with perception. Perception, in this context, is about discerning, acknowledging, and appreciating the presence of God in our lives. It's about recognizing that we are not alone, that we are part of something greater, something divine. It's about seeing God's hand in the everyday miracles that we often take for granted. When Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" He was not seeking affirmation of His identity. He was challenging His disciples to perceive Him not just as a teacher, a healer, or a prophet, but as the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

When Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," he was expressing a profound perception. He was acknowledging Jesus as the promised Savior, the one who would redeem humanity from sin and death. This was not a casual acknowledgment; it was a deep, personal conviction. It was a perception that transformed Simon Peter's understanding of Jesus and his relationship with Him.

Secondly is the response of Jesus to Simon Peter's declaration. Jesus said, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." This statement underscores the divine nature of our perception of God. It's not something we can attain through human effort or intellect. It's a revelation from God Himself.

Next, consider the implications of our perception of God. Jesus told Simon Peter, "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." This statement reveals that our perception of God has profound implications. It's not just about personal enlightenment or spiritual growth. It's about being part of God's plan, His divine mission. It's about being a living stone in the spiritual house that God is building.

Finally, we see the authority that comes with our perception of God. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "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." This statement reveals that our perception of God is not just a passive acknowledgment. It's an active engagement that comes with authority and responsibility. It's about being a steward of God's kingdom, a bearer of His divine authority on earth.

Pursuing Our Personal Relationship with God

As we move forward, we find ourselves drawn to the pursuit of our personal relationship with God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO