Pastor Tyrone S. Hillman, Jr
St. Matthew 16:13-20 (NRSV)
Believers must be on guard for behaviors that resemble the religious leaders that opposed Christ. When the church family repositions ourselves to the purposes of God through revelation; we have a different response than the world, we will never be overcome by the powers of darkness, and we are gifted to be stewards in the earth of what God has already chosen in heaven.
Point #1: The church should have a different response. Matthew 16:16 (NRSV) 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Point #2: The church will never be overcome by the powers of darkness. Matthew 16:18 (NRSV) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Point #3: The church is gifted to choose what God decides. Matthew 16:19 (NRSV) 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Journaling Prompts: What should be the church’s response to the needs of our time? How can the church return to its radical nature of Christlikeness?
