1 Sep (Matt 16)

The Gospels: Jesus' Decree of the Church

Matthew 16

(v.1) I clarify with my kids, the difference between the Pharisees and the Sadducees:

Pharisees ~ They are the extreme religionists...dependent upon the Law and man-made rules to "experience" God.

Sadducees ~ They are what we would call today, the Liberal religionists. They didn't believe in the supernatural or the resurrection of the body.

These two uncommon groups united to hate and plot to kill Jesus! This is similar to the Muslim sects (Hezzbolah, Hamas, Fatah, etc) who fight each other, but they unite in the hatred of Israel. All this is from Satan, who drives their thoughts and actions.

(v.4) Again, read my post on Jonah, since his life is the actual prophecy. He dies and is resurrected in three days, and the lost are saved!

(v.16) This is Peter's finest moment...he accurately declares Jesus to be the Son of the living God.

(v.18) This is where the Roman Catholic Church went wrong...they declared this verse to mean that Jesus was saying He would build His Church on Peter. Why would Jesus build His Church on any mortal man? Besides, the Greek word for Peter is petra...which means pebble.

No, Jesus was referring to what Peter said, not what his new name was. Peter declared Jesus as the Son of the living God, and that is what Jesus would build His Church with. Those who believe that declaration are saved by grace, through faith...and the gates of hell can't prevail over our faith in Christ!

(v.22) Peter went from extreme wisdom to extreme folly in only a minute! My kids love how I describe Peter as like the phrase: Ready, Fire, Aim...Peter doesn't think before he speaks!

(v.25) This is the key for salvation...we need to give up being our own god, and let God direct our lives. This is what Jesus is speaking about here.