Assurance of Jesus’ identity

Matthew 16:13-20 (New International Version)

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

I. Message:

Content:

1. Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “who do people say I am?” (v13)
2. The disciples replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (v14)
3. Jesus pursuit the question further: “Who do you say I am?” . (v15)
4. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (v16)
5. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (v17)
6. Jesus went on to tell Peter the rock on which he will build his church and its authority. (v18-19)
7. Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. (v20)

Theme:

1. Assurance of Jesus’ identity
2. Peter’s confession of faith
3. Church’s foundation and authority

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus Christ, the Messiah. (v16)
2. Eternal God(v16)
3. Christ, the Son of the living God (16)
4. Christ who establishes his church in the world (v18)
5. Jesus Christ who gives authority to his church (v19)

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

The region of Caesarea Philippi was situated about 30 miles from northern shore of the Sea of Galilee and was governed by Herod Philippi. The cultural artifacts and remains of both the Greek and the Roman were evident everywhere, especially temples for the innumerable local Gods. When Philippi was assigned to govern this region, he not only rebuilt the city but also renamed the city by attaching his own name.

At that time, Jesus and his disciples were near the end of their ministry along the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. He asked his disciples purposefully about His identity, with the intention of testing their understanding.

1) Identity of Jesus (1)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (v. 13-14)

Jesus learned indirectly through his disciples’ response that others had thought of him as John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah. Because Jesus’ ministry was powerful and effective, people compared him to these three extraordinary prophets. However, it was not a satisfactory answer to Jesus; he continued to question his disciples.

Reflection: How much do I know Lord Jesus? If I were asked the same question, what would be my answer?

2) Identity of Jesus (2)

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (v. 15-17)

When Jesus directed his question at his disciples, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was very pleased with this answer and replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Obviously, Jesus is Christ, the Messiah, Savior, the Anointed One, the Son of living God.

Reflection: How many years have I been a Christian? Do I really believe and understand that Jesus is Christ and the Son of the living God?

3) Supernatural revelation of Heavenly Father

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (v.17)

Upon hearing Peter’s response, proclaiming that Jesus is Christ and the Son of the living God, Jesus confirmed that such truth does not come from men but is a revelation from God. Evidently, in this world, certain understandings are gained through human experience, knowledge and teaching, while others come from God’s revelation.

Reflection: In my life, do I pursuit teaching from men or revelation from God?

4) The foundation of church

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (v.18)

This passage remains controversial. First, the Catholic Church places great importance on this passage, believing that the rock refers to Peter. Furthermore, they consider themselves as Peter’s heirs and hold the key to the Kingdom. Consequently for a long period of time in church history, Roman Catholic Church firmly believed that church mediates salvation. The idea that salvation is the absolute grace of God was recognized only after the Reformation. God is ultimately sovereign over men. It is more commonly understood and accepted that the rock in the passage refers to Jesus Christ himself, or Peter’s confession of faith: “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” No man alone can be the foundation of God’s church. The foundation of Church can only be Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Reflection: Do I confess that Jesus Christ is the foundation and head of the church?

5) The authority of church on earth

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (v.19)

When the term ‘church’ was first used in the New Testament, its meaning in Greek is ‘a group of people who had been called’. Therefore, church is not a building, or an organization but a spiritual body. It is a body made up of a group of people who had been ‘called by God, received the Baptism in faith, saved by grace’. As a Christian, we face spiritual battle in this life, but our Lord Jesus Christ has given the authority to conquer to all who believe in him. Church and his believers, through prayers, have the authority to bind and to release.

Reflection: Do I know of this given authority? Have I ever used this authority in Jesus’ name?

IV. Prayer/ Life Application