Welcome to Worship Service! “Who Do You Say I Am?” Matthew 16:13-28 Key Verse: 15-16 “‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

First, Peter Confesses, “You are the Christ.” (13-16) Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah. God’s predicted and long-awaited deliverer of Israel, the supreme “Anointed One.” The coming High Priest, King, Prophet, and Savior. Peter meant that Jesus was the only One who could save him from his sins and deliver him from the evil one and give him eternal life.

Jesus, the Son of the Living God The term “living” was given to the true God to distinguish him from idols, that are dead or lifeless—blocks and stones. Peter saw the true God in Jesus. Jesus was not just anointed by God, but Jesus was God. Jesus is in very nature God. Jesus is holy and sinless in his character. Jesus is unfailing in his love and wisdom and strength. The more Peter came to know Jesus, the more he was awed by the presence of God in Jesus.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” To Peter, Jesus was not just a prophet, or one of the possible ways to God, but Jesus was God. Peter’s confession was virtually a life commitment to Jesus. Peter’s confession expressed his loyalty and love for Jesus. This is precisely the confession that Jesus wanted from Peter.

“Who Do You Say I Am?” We don’t see Jesus in the flesh as Peter did. But we can meet Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit as we study the word of God and pray, and through his people, the church. When we meet God in Jesus we cannot but confess, “What a wretched man I am! I am a sinner. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Jesus, save me. Jesus, you are the only One who can set me from the power of sin, death and Satan. Jesus, you are my Christ and my Savior.”

“Who Do You Say I Am?” Then Jesus becomes our Lord and Savior. Jesus begins to rule our hearts with his grace and truth. We can enjoy all the blessings of the kingdom of heaven such as forgiveness, freedom, fellowship, love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and so on. We remain slaves of Satan until we make a confession of Christ. Romans 10:9,10 say, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

“Blessed Are You, Simon Peter.” “Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.’” (v. 17) “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Co 2:14)

“On This Rock, I Will Build My Church.” “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.” (v. 18) The rock refers to Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. The church is the gathering of those who confess Jesus as their Savior, and worship him as God. The church is not a building, but people who gather together in the name of Jesus.

“The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.” A key is an emblem of power and authority. The keys are the kingdom authority given to the church. This includes the opportunity to bring people to the kingdom of heaven by presenting them with the message of salvation found in God’s word (Ac 15:7-9).

The Work of the Christ (21) “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (v. 21) The work of the Christ was to suffer, die and rise again. This was precisely the will of God for the Christ.

“The Things of God, Not the Things of Men.” “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’” (v.23) Through Peter, Satan tempted Jesus to view the cross from a human point of view and avoid it. Jesus helped Peter repent for human thinking and to think from God’s point of view.

The Way To Follow Jesus “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” There is only one way to follow Jesus. It is to deny oneself and take up one’s cross and to follow Jesus. To follow this Jesus, we must be willing to suffer through self-denial and by taking our own cross.

Conclusion “Who do you say I am?” Jesus wants each of us to confess our faith in him. May God help each of us to confess, “Jesus, I am a sinner. Jesus, you are the only One who can save me from my sins. Jesus, you are the Christ, my Savior, the Son of the living God.”

Prayer Topics and Announcements Jesus asks each of us, “Who do you say I am?” We may make a confession of Christ day by day so that Jesus may rule our hearts as King of kings and Lord of lords. To have the things of God, not the things of men. To follow Jesus through self-denial and taking up the cross. Lead at least one person to Christ. Victorious and fruitful new school year. Special lecture on Daniel by Dr. Mark Yang (Sept. 26)

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation . But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Benediction The Lord bless and keep you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.