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The Church Jesus Started
Matt.16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." NAS

Introduction
I think the Lord deliberately took His disciples to this city? In a city dedicated to Caesar Jesus wants His disciples to recognize that His Kingdom exceeds all the kingdoms of the world. Rome controlled the world at this time but the rule of Jesus exceeds the control of Caesar. The community also sported 14 Temples and one to the goddess Pan, (where we get Pantheism), and Jesus wanted His disciples to identify His Messiahship over the religions of the world. The community of men in which people named Christ would be a compliment to most, but Christ must be exalted above all of the prophets mentioned.

My first revival meeting took place in the town of Ware Missouri. So I enjoyed telling people I was going to preach a revival meeting. They naturally asked where? I delighted in saying Ware. Well to add to this the town of Ware is located on Highway "Y". Then after the first service the pastor introduced me to the couple I would stay with and it was Mr and Mrs Clarence Piggs.

So I preached my first revival in Ware on "Y", and stayed with the Piggs. I can not forget the place of my first revival. I am sure the disciples remembered the place Jesus asked them this question.

1. The . . Confession Of This Church. 16:13-16

A. The Confessions . . City. 16:13
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

1. Son Of Man Is Jesus' favorite designation of Himself

2. This is a Messianic Title.

B. Confessions . . Community. 16:14
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."

1. They could not account for Jesus in an ordinary manner.

These associations make compliments for others.

C. Confessions . . Confrontation. 16:15
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

1. The phrase, "but who do you say that I am?"

a. Is in the emphatic position.

D. Confession . . Courageously Given. 16:16
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

1. Simon Emphatically Stated: "You are the Christ."

Living God, Contrasted to the dead gods.

a. Son in human form.

JESUS Is Alive Today, Heavenly Form.

E. Confession . . Commended By Christ. 16:17
17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

1. Christ accepts this definition of who He Is.

a. The Messiah, the anointed One of Israel.

b. Ridiculous To say Jesus never claimed to be the Son Of God.

c. He never corrected others.

This Confession Is Prompted By The Father.
Today the Holy Spirit of God Will Prompt You To Confess Christ.

Illustration
Dr George Truitt was the famed preacher of First Baptist Church of Dallas. On one occasion a little girl made her profession of faith, and Dr Truitt did not think she knew what she was doing. He continued to present the invitation for others to come, but noticed the little girl crying. He went over to her and said it all right honey I will talk with you more a little later. She say Oh I'm not crying about that but I have a brother and sister out there who need to accept Christ and I am crying for them.

Dr Truitt presented the little girl recognizing she did know what she was doing.

Application
If you really make a confession of Christ you will want to PUBLICALLY tell others about your Savior. Do You know Baptism is a public profession?

The . . Confession Of Jesus Church.

2. The . . Construction Of This Church. 16:18

A. The . . Revelation Of The Construction. 16:18a
". . . flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you. . . "

You received a revelation from the Father now receive one from the SON.

Jesus' Divine Authority.

B. The . . Rock Of The Construction. 16:18b
18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; NAS

The Greek Words of this passage. PETROS and PETRA

PETROS is a rock off the larger rock

PETRA is the cliff or larger rock.

Christ is the Large Rock,

Peter's confession, is the small Rock.

The Church is not built on Simon Peter but on Christ.

Simon Knew What Jesus was saying. 1 Peter 2:2-8

1. Peter 2:2-8 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 3 if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 4 As Living Stones And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," 8 and, " A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; NAS

Illustration
We brought our first house in 1964 in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. For $10,000. <>We brought our 2^nd house in 1973 in Huntington Beach Calif. For $33,000.

Today That House would sell for $300,000.00
In San Francisco it would sell for $750,000.00
In New Your City It would sell for $1,250.000.00
In Piedmont, Missouri It would sell for $100,000.00

In all of those cities the cost to join the church would be the same.

Application

The church Is Built by Jesus through Confession of Him as Your Lord and Saviour.

He handles this building all by himself, You can't help, you must submit.

3. The . . Commission Of This Church. 16:18c-19
". . . and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." NAS

Introduction
Hades or Hell? Hades is the grave or place of the departed.

Hell is Satan's Eternal Home.

KJV translates this SAME Word grave in: 1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

    A.    The Commission Is . . Evangelistic.
            ". . . and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."

        1.    The Power Of Satan Will Not Overpower The Church.
        2.    The Power Of Satan Is Inferior.
        3.    The Power Of Sin Will Not Overpower The Church.
                a. The Power Of Sin Is Inferior.
Illustration
Have you noticed Rick Mell's "T" shirt that says , SATAN IS A Punk

    B.    The Commission Is . . Eternal.
         ". . . and the gates of Hades will not overpower it."

1. The Church will never cease to be on this earth.

                2.    The Commission Is . . Empowered. 16:19
                 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and
             whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." NAS

                    a.    Empowered With The Power Of . . Keys. 16:19a
                                "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;. . ."
                        1)    Simon Received the Keys Of The Kingdom. Not The Keys To Heaven
                                    but the kingdom. The means the Salvation Message.
                            a)   Simon the preacher at Pentecost. Acts 2:
                            b)     Simon Presents the Gospel To Cornelius. Acts 10

                3.    Empowered With The Power Of . . Binding. 16:19b
                      ". . . and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." NAS

Ananias and Sapphira were Bound by Simon. Acts 5:

<> 4. Empowered With The Power Of . . Losing. 16:19c
". . . and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Simon the preacher at Pentecost. Acts 2:

Simon Presents the Gospel To Cornelius. Acts 10

Illustration
The Catholic Church says Simon was given the power to forgive sins. If that is true where is the example of Simon pronouncing someone's sins as forgiven?

No one in scripture pronounces a person forgiveness of sin, but Jesus. The binding and losing refer to the power of confessing Christ, and the freedom that comes from it.

Illustration
An evangelist preached in a city where one of the Maffia leaders son attended. His son was bound by drugs. He got saved and freed. The Maffia leader came to see the evangelist. He wanted to know what the minister had done. How did you get my son free from drugs? The evangelist explained but his explanation was not received by the Maffia man. He told the Evangelist if he ever needed any help to let him know, and he gave him his personal phone number.

The Church Jesus Started
Can be joined through confession and obedience to His command.