Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, to share the Word of God, the bread of life, and to commune with you in this sacred space we call fellowship. As we gather together under the banner of Christ's love, let's remember that we are here not because of any merit of our own, but because of the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, we're going to open our hearts and minds to a passage that is as profound as it is transformative. It's a passage that speaks to the very core of our Christian faith, a passage that challenges us to perceive, proclaim, and pursue Jesus in a way that is both personal and public.

In the book of Matthew, Chapter 16, verses 13 to 20, we read: '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.'

Perceiving Jesus Personally

The passage we just read presents us with a profound question, a question that Jesus Himself asked His disciples: 'Who do you say I am?' This question is not just for the disciples. It's for every one of us. It's a question that calls us to perceive Jesus personally, to see Him not just as a historical figure, a religious leader, or a moral teacher, but as the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Perceiving Jesus personally means recognizing Him as our Savior. We are sinners in need of salvation, and Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has provided that salvation. It's about accepting His sacrifice on the cross as the payment for our sins, and His resurrection as the promise of our eternal life. It's about confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.

Perceiving Jesus personally also means relating to Him as our Lord. It's about submitting to His authority, obeying His commands, and following His example. It's about seeking His will, not our own, in every area of our lives. It's about trusting Him in times of trouble, relying on Him in times of need, and resting in Him in times of rest.

Next, we must receive Him as our Treasure. It's about valuing Him above all else, cherishing His presence more than His presence, and desiring Him more than anything or anyone else. It's about finding our joy in Him, our peace in Him, and our satisfaction in Him. It's about counting everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proclaiming Jesus Publicly

As we continue to reflect on the transformative encounter between Jesus and His disciples in Matthew 16, we find ourselves drawn to the bold proclamation made by Peter ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO