Message - He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock.
This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
"And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."
I love this!
Jesus makes a declaration that HE is putting together HIS Church (body of believers) that will commit to live boldly & effectively for His glory.
I mean, what did HE truly come to do?
Kick devil hiney!!!
Let really look at this declaration a little this morning.
I. Who was HE talking to…
Matthew 16:15-16 NLT Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
The “them” was the disciples that were following Him.
Luke 9:23-24 CEV Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.
See, Jesus, the Father, & Holy Spirit knew that the church could do the task at hand, but they would have to understand that the selfish nature of man would never submit to what it takes to serve in the local church.
Matthew 10:37-39 NCV "Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers.
Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life.
Peter’s declaration was speaking from his spirit & not his carnal self-nature. The most difficult battle the Lord knew would have to be one in His followers is the one with our self!
Look at the next part of His statement in our scriptures today.
II. The Rock Established…
Matthew 16:18a NLT Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church…
What can we gather that the “Rock” really was to establish?
Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am.
This was the founding declaration to establish the beginning of the church on earth.
Jesus knew HE had to impart the God-purpose into people in order for HIS church to be all that He intended.
Some well meaning, church attending, & bible reading people have not had the established “Rock Experience” yet in their life.
You see, this was the founding belief that would serve later to bring Peter back into focus with Jesus after a very serious trial in his life.
And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock.
What was Jesus saying? You are connected to me by that settled belief that you have connected to from heaven!
We must grab hold of the significance of that declaration today if we are going to participate in what God has truly called each of us to do!
III. World Changing Church…
Then Jesus begins to broaden the mission & vision of His purpose for coming to this earth as a man.
This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
WOW! You let a person get the real revelation of that purpose & power & there will never be a problem with them serving in Jesus’ local church.
Luke 12:49 MSG "I've come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to change everything, turn everything right side up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so.
Jesus came to set the standard as His righteousness.
It is being executed through the Holy Ghost in our world today.
John 16:7-11 MSG So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. "When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.
We must understand that it is through your relationship in the Holy Spirit that you come to a greater understanding of the righteousness of God.
It is through His righteousness that power to change the world flows through His local churches.
Acts 1:8 NCV But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world."
The church that belongs to Jesus is a world changing church! He changes the world through local churches in every city.
IV. He Gives All of Heaven’s Backing to Complete Task…
"And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."
If you went to work for a major company that had a 35 story building filled with rooms, offices, & storages wouldn’t you take the time to study & learn about each every place in that building if you were told your success depends on it?
That is our similar position in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 16:18-19 NCV So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; the things you don't allow on earth will be the things that God does not allow, and the things you allow on earth will be the things that God allows."
Do you see what Jesus was trying to get across to His church before He had to take His place back at the right hand position in Heaven.
Mark 10:27 NLT Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Today God’s invitation is for ALL to come to the reality of Who He is & what He came to do.
• Save every person that has not come to know Him personally.
• To open the purpose of them & the local church.
• To begin seeking & saving the lost as He did while on this earth.
So where do you find your self today on this very first day of 2012???
