What Do You Say? Series

Title: What Do You Say? 3/18/13

Text: St. Matthew 16:13-20; key verse: (15)

Theme: The Church: and It’s Foundation

Point: Get beyond hear say

Introduction

Isn’t it funny how we can be affiliated with something or someone for lengths of time but never really know intricate details? If not maybe Peter’s Confession of Faith and the disciples lack of it will be? 1. Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 2. But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? Jesus instructs his star pupils to investigate the speculating people of Caesarea Philippi, although being fully aware that this process will only help the disciple’s gain revelation of His deity.

Man’s relationship with God began in eternity. It manifested in the practical since in Eden! Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundations of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Genesis 1:26 Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness: The result of Adams fall caused death, and spiritual separation from God. Adams fall repositioned humanity, giving Satan a new lease on earth, but the “blood”

through the atoning death of Jesus Christ at Galgatha reconciled man back to the Father.

Authentic worship.. according to (John 4:24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. "We must understand the purpose of it, making a quality commitment to it, and be a living sanctuary for it". As were the disciples - our relationship with Jesus Christ was not created by census, but rather by selection. Rom 8:15 but ye have received the Spirit of adoption. Galatians 4:5-7 To redeem them that were under the law that we might receive the adoption of sons.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is an indictment against the people, the church, and the disciples. The critical analysis doesn’t draw its conclusion with the Sadducees and Pharisees but with common people who praise, worship, and also follow Jesus! The validity of Jesus’ questions gives credence to the importance of information, identification, and revelation. We’re admonished through the disciples to gather our facts before we can adequately submit reference information. Jesus also says, “though we have knowledge of the scriptures and church experience; this doesn’t qualify us for knowing Him”. Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? We’re all a work in progress. (16:15). Jesus encourages every believer to depend on God the Father, never feelings, emotions, or intricacy of your six senses. We are to give recognition to the Holy Spirit for being at work in our hearts!

I. Detect what you hear (16:13)

Detect: to find out the action or character of:

Greek: Shekach (shek-akh) - Disclosure of a covered or forgotten thing, to discover:

A. Jesus’ challenges the disciple’s faith by exposing their misinterpretation of His purpose, and His deity.

B. St. Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? Prayer is not just a place to make our request known to God, but also a place to commune with him through the presence of the Holy Spirit!

C. It’s not enough for us to relish in the exposure to Jesus alone, we must know him through the intimacy of our relationship to transcend closeness, and proximity.

D. Like the disciples, we see the gifts, talent, and ability of Jesus but fail to discern His purpose, power, and position as the Christ.

1. How be it when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)

2. English: Truth - facts corresponding with actual events or happenings

3. Greek: Omnam, (Om-nawm’) - indeed, no doubt, surely

4. When your reputation precedes you, people will always have reason to talk... Jesus, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; (10:38); Isaiah 9:6-7; Matt 1:21

A. Mark 8:27…And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying…

II. Discern what you see (16:14)

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

1. Discern: To perceive by sight or some other since or intellect:

2. Hebrew: Biyn (bene) – Understanding

B. The question is to the disciples, not the Pharisees or those apposing the doctrine of Jesus Christ. These are the beloved disciples that follow Him, live with Him, walk with Him, talk with Him, eat with Him, and study the scriptures with Him.

C. The disciples discerned Him as Jesus, but not as Christ.