Matthew 16

I. The Concern,I. The Concern, 1-14I. The Concern,I. The Concern, 1-14

1. Crafty,Crafty, 1-4Pharisees and SadduceesPharisees and Sadducees

Gentiles could see it, 15:31 His signs mean nothing to P. & S.;

why give them more?

Their motive:Test (discredit)“He refused…”

Deserved signs:2 K.5

Lk.9:54

He would give sign of Jonah Pentecostals call us sign-seekers

Actually sign-testers (Rv.2:2) 1 Co.10, daily miracles (Hb.3) Mt.16:5-12, disciples misunderstood

“If the plain sense makes sense, don't look for any other sense, or you will end up w. nonsense”

2. Confused, 13-14Common peopleCommon people

Each puts Jesus above common men; would flatter us to join this elite group, but they fell far short

Polls cannot determine truth

Modern views of Jesus Michael, archangel (Aid To Bible Und., 1152)

Firstborn spirit child; elder brother (Doc. & Cov., 93:21)

No more than a messenger of Allah (Quran 4.171)

2% of His sayings are certain (Jesus Seminar)

False messiah; illegitimate son (Jews)

Teacher, good man, a way to heaven…

3. ChangeableChangeable,, 15-17…21-23Peter:Peter: most dangerous of all

Peter’s ConfessionPeter’s Confession,, 15-17 If Peter is the rock, should have told…

Others, 18:1, 18

Paul, Ga.2:11-14

Peter, 1 Pt.2:5-9

Even if built onPeter, text doesnot mention any

successors

3. ChangeableChangeable,, 15-17…21-23Peter:Peter: most dangerous of all

Peter’s Confession, 15-17 Peter’s Correction, 21-23

21, from figurative to literal 22, emphatic rebuke of Lord’s

unorthodoxy. V.20

23: w/o cross, whole world lostContrasts:

Peter confesses, 16 Peter rebukes, 22

Lord blesses, 17 Lord rebukes, 23

Peter confesses“of” God, 17

Peter rebukes“of” satan, 22-23

Peter confesses: rock to build on, 18

Peter rebukes: rockto stumble on, 23

I. The Concern, 1-14I. The Concern, 1-14

II. The Church,II. The Church, 18-19II. The Church,II. The Church, 18-19

Church: built on truth, 18

Truth is . . .

1.1. NarrowNarrow (13-14: can’t all be true)

2.2. ExclusiveExclusive (17): Jn.14:6

3.3. RevealedRevealed (17): man’s wisdom could not figure it out

4.4. KnowableKnowable (17): Peter, son of Jonah (17); Jesus, Son of God (16)

Church: built on truth, 18

Church: built to triumph, 18

Hades is strong; dead people stay there But nothing in this world or the next

can overthrow the church. Ac.2:24, 27

Church: built on truth, 18 Church: built to triumph, 18

Church: built to teach, 19 Key: opens or closes (Lk.11:52)

“…but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” – 1 Tim.3:15

Supports; holds aloftFoundation: steadies

Church’s foundation: truth, Mt.16:18Church’s mission: truth, 1 T.3:15

I. The Concern, 1-14I. The Concern, 1-14

III. The Commitment,III. The Commitment, 24-28III. The Commitment,III. The Commitment, 24-28

II. The Church, 18-19II. The Church, 18-19

Desire. Ps.42:1-2 Discipline (deny self). Ph.2:5-8 Death to self (cross). Demanding Devotion (follow). Loyalty, commitment Decision (life or death) 25. Lk.12:20-21 Destiny, 26. Lk.16 Deeds, 27 Dominion, 28