“Don’t Lose Your Key”
Matthew 16:13-20
INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on ‘Great Events In The Life And Ministry Of Jesus’.
Jesus is getting closer to the cross – 16:21
Jesus wants the Disciples to see how far they’ve come … SO … He asks – 16:15
o If they are going to establish the CHURCH on the Day of Pentecost …
o If they are going to guide the CHURCH through its infancy …
They must know who Jesus is.
The Disciples will go through a period of persecution & struggle. There will be some doubts. They need a strong faith to see them through.
We are no different from the Disciples. Our faith will be tested every day. Like the ministers in this story:
STORY: A group of ministers were holding a convention at the same hotel that a salesman convention was being held. The caterers had to work at top speed to serve dinners to both groups. As a part of their menu, the salesmen were having “spiked watermelon” for dessert. In their haste, the caterers accidentally served the alcoholic watermelon to the ministers at their dinner. The head chef, upon hearing about the blunder, told the waiter, “Quick, get the watermelon and take it over to the salesmen.” But, it was too late. The ministers had already begun eating the liquor spiked dessert. The excited chef asked, What did they say? How did they like it?” The waiter replied, “I don’t know how they liked it, but they were dividing up the seeds and putting them in their pockets!”
Our faith is tested every day, just like the Disciples. AND … Jesus is asking US the same question:
o “Who do YOU say that I am?”
o “What are you going to do with the keys that I have given you?”
I. THE CITY – 16:13 – Caesarea Philippi
It’s interesting that Jesus chose this particular city for this lesson. 2 reasons:
1.- It Was The City For Heathen Worship – “Who do men say that I am?”
Caesarea Philippi was originally named “Panium”, after the Greek God “Pan”., the god of nature. It was rebuilt by Herod Phillip … and renamed after Caesar and Phillip. There were shrines in the city dedicated to the Greek god Pan. Herod the Great had built a temple there to honor Augustus Caesar. There were 14 temples dedicated to Baal worship.
In the midst of all this idolatry, Jesus asked His Disciples, “Who do men say that I am?”
2.- It Was Built On The Slope Of Mt. Hermon … at the foothills … on solid rock. See 16:18
The Jewish nation had rejected the claim of Jesus as being the Messiah. Being in a heathen city, and without many converts, the Disciples may have begun to wonder THEMSELVES if Jesus really was who He said He was.
o As we look around in the WORLD today, it might be easy to wonder if Jesus is really sovereign … if He’s really in charge … if He really is all-powerful.
o As we look at the condition of the CHURCH today, it might be easy to wonder if the gates of Hell haven’t really prevailed against it – see 16:18.
SO … Jesus asked His Disciples 2 QUESTIONS … WHY?
1.- To Bring The UNBELIEF Of The World Out Into The Open – “Who do MEN say that I am?” – 16:13
2.- To Bring The BELIEF of the Disciples Out Into The Open – “Who do YOU say that I am?_ - 16:15
I can just see the Disciples like boys in a classroom … raising their hands, ready to give an answer! “Oo-oo … I know, I know … ask me!”
NOTICE what the Disciples DIDN’T say about the FIRST QUESTION. Many in the world had said that Jesus was a “glutton … wine-bibber … a friend of sinners & Publicans … in league with the Devil … a blasphemer … an illegitimate child …” Jesus was called all of these.
BUT … they only reported to Jesus the more FAVORABLE opinions. AFTER ALL, it was an HONOR to be associated with John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah. BESIDES, Jesus didn’t ask “WHAT do they think of Me” … BUT … “WHO do they think I am?”
II. THE COMPARISON – 16:14
Why these 3?
o JOHN THE BAPTIST – Herod had John the Baptist beheaded. Because of his guilty conscience, he thought that maybe Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead to avenge his murder.
Both preached repentance … both practiced baptism.
o ELIJAH - Malachi 4:5 – “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:” This is the next-to-last verse in the O.T.
Both had raised the dead … both gave food to the hungry … both had controlled the elements of nature. BUT … Jesus had already said that this verse was already fulfilled by John the Baptist.
o JEREMIAH – Both had a tender heart. Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” … AND … “Jesus wept”.
The Apocrypha had stated that Jeremiah would return before the Kingdom Age.
o PROPHET – It had been over 400 years, and God had sent no Prophet to Israel. The Jewish people were longing for God to send them another Prophet … a teacher of the law. Some thought that Jesus was just another O.T. Prophet.
There were lots of theories about who Jesus was.
There are lots of theories TODAY about who Jesus is.
o MORMONS – They say Jesus was a “spirit-child of God” … like everybody else.
o JEHOVAH WITNESSES – They say Jesus was A god … but not THE God … that He was created by God, but not eternal.
o MUSLIMS – They say Jesus was a great prophet, but not a great as Muhammad.
The world still has lots of theories about who Jesus really is.
III. THE CONFESSION – 16:15-16
When Jesus asked this question, there probably weren’t as many hands raised, as when Jesus asked the first question. Finally, Peter, raised his hand – 16:16
Peter was willing to be HONEST about how he really felt. UNLIKE the man in this story:
STORY – A farmer in his mule-drawn wagon was coming out of his field along the back roads of a remote area. Just as he pulled out on the road, a city slicker came speeding over the hilltop and hit his rig. The farmer is lying there, pinned under his wagon with a broken leg … his dog not far away … and his mule across the road in the other ditch. About that time, the Sheriff pulled up, and the farmer thought, “Thank God, someone is going to help me.” The Sheriff glanced over the situation. Seeing the mule had a broken leg, and was suffering, the Sheriff pulled out his revolver and shot it to end its misery. He then walked over to the dog, saw that it was just as bad off, and shot him to end his misery. Then, he walked over to the farmer and asked: “Are you in a lot of pain?” “Never felt better in my life!”, the farmer exclaimed!
Peter was willing to be HONEST about how he felt about Jesus.
Peter had seen the MIRACLES (feeding 5000,4000 … sick healed … dead raised … storms calmed …) Peter had heard Jesus PREACHING (claims of Messiah … the Son of God …) This was the heart-felt conclusion that Peter had about Jesus.
NOTICE: Jesus didn’t PROMPT Peter for the right answer. Jesus asked in 16:13 – “the Son of man”. Peter replies in 16:16 – “the Son of the living God”. Peter was HONEST in how he felt about Jesus.
IV. THE COMMENDATION – 16:17
Peter certainly didn’t learn this from MAN. Jesus had been REJECTED by the RELIGIOUS LEADERS (Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests) … by the POLITICAL LEADERS (Sanhedrin) … by the JEWISH NATION as a whole. In just a few months, the Jews will be crying out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”.
This was revealed to Peter by the Father of Jesus … God the Father. That’s the only way ANYBODY comes to this realization as to who Jesus really is. You’re not going to come up with that on your own. Unless the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to you, you will never be saved. John 6:44 – “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:”
God had revealed this to Peter.
V. THE CONQUERORS – 16:18
In 16:17, Jesus calls him “Simon Barjona” … NOW … Jesus calls him “Peter” – 16:18.
Jesus uses a play on words here:
o “Peter” means (in the Greek – ‘petros’) – ‘a rock … a stone … a pebble … a chip off the ‘ol block’.
o “rock” is ‘petra’ in the Greek – ‘a boulder … a big rock … a foundation stone’.
“petra” is a term used of Christ. Acts 4:11-12 – ribbon. Ephesians 2:20 – “Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
This is the FIRST TIME the word “church” is used in the Bible. Jesus is giving them a whole new concept. Jesus is going to use them to build His CHURCH of born-again believers.
The CHURCH is built upon the ROCK … Jesus Christ. The CHURCH isn’t an ORGANIZATION … it’s an ORGANISM.
o ORGANIZATION – Something built by MAN … P.B.C. … H.B.A. … S.B.C. …
o ORGANISM – A LIVING thing … created by GOD.
The CHURCH isn’t made of brick, wood, and plaster. It’s made up of living souls … all around the world.
NOTICE: This LIVING ORGANISM will never DIE … nor be DEFEATED. AMEN?
We are used to DEFEAT (especially if you are a Gator fan!). Listen to this story:
STORY: There was a football game between the big animals and the little animals. The first half of the game was dominated by the big animals … they seemed to be able to score at will. The first play of the second half, as soon as the Tiger got the ball, down he went. He hobbled back to the huddle, and the big animals asked him, “Who hit you?” The Tiger replied, “That Centipede.” On second down, they gave the ball to the Lion. He ran with a big roar, but down he went at the line of scrimmage. “Who hit you?”, the big animals asked in the huddle. “It was that Centipede”, he said. On third down they gave it to the Rhino, but he too never got passed the line of scrimmage. It was the Centipede again. They called a time-out, and went over to talk to the coach of the little animal team. They asked him, “Where was that Centipede during the first half?” “Putting on his shoes”, the coach said.
Jesus told His Disciples that His CHURCH will never be defeated.
“gates of Hell” – “gates” are a symbol of POWER. The leaders of a city met at the city gates to hold court … to conduct their politics. If you wanted to defeat a city, you tore down their gates to gain access.
Jesus tells us that the POWER of Hell cannot defeat His CHURCH.
o The power of Satan & Hell couldn’t keep Jesus in the grave. The sin of the world was placed on Jesus … BUT … He walked past the Gates of Hell, and presented Himself on the altar of Heaven.
o The Gates of Hell can never open to a child of God. No true Christian will ever have to pass through those gates … BECAUSE … we have gates of PEARL waiting for us in Heaven.
o The power of Hell will be a constant battle for the Christian. The Devil may win a few battles … BUT … he will lose the war … AMEN?
Jesus will build His CHURCH on the “rock” … that’s JESUS! – 16:18. There is no greater POWER than this! Those who proclaim the same confession as Peter are a part of His CHURCH – 16:16.
VI. THE CHARGE – 16:19
Jesus gave a KEY to Peter. Jesus charged Peter with unlocking doors into the Kingdom of Heaven.
o Who preached the 1st sermon on the Day of Pentecost & 3000 were saved? PETER!
o Who then preached the 2nd sermon & 5000 were saved? PETER!
o Who defied the Sanhedrin and said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”? PETER!
o Who preached at the house of Cornelius, which opened the door of the gospel to the Gentiles? PETER!
Peter was the leader of the early church. Peter used his KEY to unlock the doors with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
WHAT CAN THESE KEYS DO?
“bind and loose” – i.e., open AND lock doors.
The door to Heaven is OPENED when the gospel is preached, and a soul is converted.
The door to Heaven is LOCKED when the gospel is not preached.
Romans 10:13-15, 17 – ribbon.
Jesus gives us an EXAMPLE of “binding” – 16:20.
WHY did Jesus want them to be quiet about who He was?
The KEYS weren’t ready to be used … until His death, burial and resurrection … until the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost.
NOTICE: There’s MORE than just 1 KEY … “keys” – 16:19
“I got a key … you got a key … all God’s chillin’ got keys!”
Jesus disbursed the “keys” when He ascended up to Heaven – Acts 1:8-9 – ribbon. You got YOURS when He saved you.
VII. THE CHALLENGE
QUESTION: What are you doing with YOUR KEY?
YOU are a “key carrying” Christian. If you withhold your “key”, the gates of Heaven will be shut to your lost neighbors, friends, family, loved ones. Jesus has given YOU the “key” to set loose the gospel on a world that will spend eternity in Hell. What are you doing with YOUR KEY?
QUESTION: Who do YOU say Jesus is? Who is Jesus to YOU?
Do you believe in Jesus, just like you believe in Abraham Lincoln, Christopher Columbus, or Moses? Is Jesus just a name in history … just a great teacher … just a prophet of God? OR … is Jesus your SAVIOR? Is Jesus your LORD?
If you can say along with Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” … THEN … you need to use the “key” that Jesus has given you to unlock some doors to Heaven.
CONCLUSION:
If you’re LOST here this AM, the “key” to eternal life, is found in Jesus. Jesus said in Rev. 1:18 - “I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” If you don’t repent and trust Jesus to forgive your sins, He will unlock the door of Hell … just for you.
If you’re SAVED here this AM, the “key” to a life of victory, hope, and fullness of Joy, is found in Jesus.
Claim that KEY today.
STAND – PRAY
Hymn #76 – “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
OUTLINE FOR HANDOUT:
“Don’t Lose Your Key”
Matthew 16:13-20
INTRODUCTION: Jesus is getting closer to the cross – 16:21
I. THE CITY – 16:13
- Caesarea Philippi was a city of heathen worship.
- Jesus wants to bring the unbelief of the world out in the open … as well as the belief of the Disciples.
II. THE COMPARISON – 16:14
- The common people had various opinions of Jesus.
- There are many opinions TODAY about who Jesus really is.
III. THE CONFESSION – 16:15-16
- This was Peter’s honest, heart-felt conclusion about Jesus.
- Jesus didn’t prompt Peter for an answer – 16:13, 16.
IV. THE COMMENDATION – 16:17
- You will never come to this conclusion on your own … ONLY by the Holy Spirit who reveals Christ to you – John 6:44.
V. THE CONSEQUENCES – 16:18
- “Peter” – ‘petros’ – a ‘rock, pebble, stone’
- “rock” – ‘petra’ – a ‘boulder, foundation stone’
- The CHURCH is built upon the ROCK – Jesus.
o ORGANIZATION – built by man.
o ORGANISM – a living thing, created by God.
- The church will never die nor be defeated.
- “gates of Hell” – a symbol of POWER.
o Satan & Hell couldn’t keep Jesus in the tomb.
o The gates of Hell will never open to a child of God.
o The power of Hell will be a constant battle.
- There is no greater power than Jesus.
VI. THE CHARGE – 16:19
- Peter had a key … the gospel will open the door of Heaven.
- The door of Heaven is locked when the gospel is not preached – Romans 10:13-15,17
- 16:20 – Jesus gives an example of “binding”.
- The keys will be used after His resurrection.
- “keys” – distributed at His ascension – Acts 1:8-9
VII. THE CHALLENGE
- What are you doing with YOUR key?
- Who do YOU say Jesus is?
CONCLUSION:
- Claim your key … to open up the doors to Heaven, victory.
PRISCILLA BAPTIST CHURCH – Ray Scott, Pastor
