“I will build my church” Matthew 16:13-20

Region of Tyre and Sidon, Matt 15:21 “Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light” (Matt 4:15-16) Region of Tyre and Sidon, Matt 15:21 Region of Sea of Galilee, Matt 15:29 Region of Caesarea Philippi, Matt 16:13 Teachings and miracles drew huge crowds and glorified God, Matt 15:30-31 Also made many enemies, Matt 16:1

Matthew 16:13-20 Assessment of Jesus and His work Affirmation of faith (by Peter) Announcement of His nature and the work He would accomplished Commandment to the apostles about announcing Him to the world

Jesus Asked Questions (Matt 16:13-16) “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? 16:13-14 John…Elijah…Jeremiah…a prophet Men continue to give different answers: Created by and less than Jehovah First Spirit-child of God in pre-existence Moral teacher, but not divine Delusional, conflicted deceiver What men say does not define the truth about Jesus, Jno 14:8-11

Jesus Asked Questions (Matt 16:13-16) “But who do you say that I am? 16:15-16 THE CHRIST: Anointed, chosen by God Messiah (King), Psa 2:2, 6 SON OF THE LIVING GOD: Divine nature Psa 2:7 (2 Sam 7:14); Heb 1:5 (2-3) Peter’s good confession, Matt 10:32; 1 Tim 6:12-13 Inferior confessions are false! Jno 5:18-23

How To Know Who Jesus Is (Matt 16:17) Understanding of who Jesus is comes from God, not man, Jno 5:36-39 (Acts 2:22) The testimony of the Father (Jno 8:18): Miracles, Jno 5:36; 10:24-25 (Matt 9:1-8) Words of the Father Himself, Matt 3:17 OT Scriptures, John 5:39, 46 Teachings of Jesus, John 5:47 (Matt 12:15-21) We must assess the evidence, Jno 20:24-31; Acts 17:2-4

What Jesus Would Do? Build His Church (Matt 16:18) Building the church, Heb 12:22-23 (The called out ones, the saved) FOUNDATION: Christ, Isaiah 28:16; Psa 118:21-24; 1 Cor 3:11 BUILDER: Christ, Heb 3:3, 6 (Act 2:47) GATES OF HADES: Strength of sin and death would not prevent Him from accomplishing His work, Acts 2:23-31

What Jesus Would Do? Build His Church (Matt 16:18) The church: The saved ones Called out of world into the kingdom of the Son, 1 Pet 2:9-10; Col 1:13 Called into the kingdom to obtain glory, 1 Ths 2:12; 2 Ths 2:14 Added by Christ to His church, Acts 2:47

What Jesus Would Do? Build His Church (Matt 16:18) Importance and value of the church Christ built it by dying for it – Purchased it with His blood, Acts 20:28 He loves it (Eph 5:25) Reveals God’s wisdom and eternal purpose in Christ (Eph 3:10-11) He saves it (Eph 5:23) Expects us to be holy before Him (Eph 5:27)

Keys = Accessibility to the kingdom, Isa 22:22 What the Apostles Would Do: Pronounce Right of Entry into the Church (Matt 16:19) Keys = Accessibility to the kingdom, Isa 22:22 By gospel preaching, Ac 2:22, 40-41; 5:20, 42 By the gospel, sins are forgiven (obeyed) or retained (rejected), John 20:21-23 Apostolic words the measure of faithfulness to Christ, Jno 13:20; Acts 2:42; 1 Jno 4:6 (2:18-19)

What Jesus Prohibited the Apostles from Doing (Matt 16:20) Apostles were not to tell others He was Jesus the Christ In God’s time they would tell the world, Matt 17:9 (16:4; Rom 1:4); Mk 16:15 In the meantime, the Father was revealing Jesus as the Christ by His works and words (16:17)

Who Do You Say Jesus Is? You answer will help determine your eternal destiny, Matt 10:32-33