“Strength for Life”
Part 4 Of A Lenten Message Series Entitled “A Journey of Stones”
The BIG Idea:
We must decide who Jesus is to us. Our strength is found through faith in Christ and we are meant to be a part of the foundation known as God’s Church.
13 Now when Jesus came into the region 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; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves 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 And 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.”20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ. – Matthew 16:13-20 (NASB)
ILLUSTRATION: Ping Pong Balls in a Jar
Do we say that Jesus is our Savior?
Do we say that Jesus is Lord?
Do we say that Jesus is Creator?
Followers of Jesus are the Stones.
Professing faith in Jesus is NOT easy.
Vague is no longer good enough for the present society. We need real answers.
Our strength is found through faith in Christ, and we are meant to be a part of the foundation known as the Church.
Questions for Reflection:
Why do you think Jesus chose to ask this question in Caesarea Philippi?
Why was it important for Jesus to discuss the gates of Hades or Hell with the Kingdom movement He sought to establish with His followers?
Who is Jesus to you?
Do you realize that if you are a follower of Jesus that Jesus values the importance of your “stone” (or contribution) as essential for the foundation of His Church?
We must decide who Jesus is to us. Our strength is found through faith in Christ and we are meant to be a part of the foundation known as God’s Church.
13 Now when Jesus came into the region 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; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves 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 And 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.”20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ. – Matthew 16:13-20 (NASB)
ILLUSTRATION: Ping Pong Balls in a Jar
Do we say that Jesus is our Savior?
Do we say that Jesus is Lord?
Do we say that Jesus is Creator?
Followers of Jesus are the Stones.
Professing faith in Jesus is NOT easy.
Vague is no longer good enough for the present society. We need real answers.
Our strength is found through faith in Christ, and we are meant to be a part of the foundation known as the Church.
Questions for Reflection:
Why do you think Jesus chose to ask this question in Caesarea Philippi?
Why was it important for Jesus to discuss the gates of Hades or Hell with the Kingdom movement He sought to establish with His followers?
Who is Jesus to you?
Do you realize that if you are a follower of Jesus that Jesus values the importance of your “stone” (or contribution) as essential for the foundation of His Church?