1. The Christ, the Cross, and the New Creature ( Matthew 16:13-28) Matthew 16:13-28 Introduction The Bible often comes at us in triads: 1. God the Father; God the Son; God the Holy Spirit. 2. Faith, hope, and love. If you were to try and list the three most important themes of the New Testament Church which three would you mention?

2. Eldership? Missionary commitment? Facilities? As important as these might be they might not be the most vital. Several years ago Earnest Beam was asked to address the most important themes of the New Testament. He chose three that I would like to superimpose on this text:

3. I. The Christ (vv. 13- 20).vv. 13- 20

4. The setting a rocky and pagan area. A foundational truth would be spoken in an exclusive way. The popular answers John, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. It is never enough to just say what others say. Crowds have significant ways of being wrong at worst and being incomplete at best. The issue Christ is His office, not His last name. With six months from the cross the Lord needs to be sure that the disciples understand who He is.

5. II. The Cross (vv. 21-23).vv. 21-23

6. A. Jesus announces the divine necessity of His suffering. From that time on marks a turn in the Gospel of Matthew (cf. Matthew 4:17). Now the references to the cross will not be veiled. Matthew 4:17 B. Peter objects to the way of suffering. His temptation to Christ parallels that of the devil in chapter 4. chapter 4 C. Jesus announces that suffering and the mind of God are in concert.

7. III. The New Creature (vv. 24-28). vv. 24-28

8. A. The road to becoming a new creature is the road of self-denial. Jesus calls for nothing short of daily denial, cross-bearing, and radical following. B. The reasons for becoming a new creature are numerous:

9. It is the only way to save your life (v. 25).v. 25 2. It is the only sane perspective on what is important in life (v. 26).v. 26 3. It is the only way to be ready for the judgment (v. 27).v. 27 C. The reality of becoming a new creature is possible by the power of God. Regardless of what v. 28 refers to, God is able to keep us alive by the power of His indestructible life. v. 28

10. Conclusion Paul said, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).2 Corinthians 5:17