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Matthew 16:13-20 ESV

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

I. A PURPOSEFUL CONVERSATION (13-15)
A. Jesus moves from general inquiry to personal investigation into what the disciples believed about Him.

II. A PROPHETIC CONFESSION (16-17)
A. Peter declares Jesus, Messiah. Why is this unique?
B. Common phrase infused with new meaning. Peter first to get truth about person and nature of Jesus.

III. A PERFECT CORNERSTONE (18)
A. Content of Peter’s confession becomes foundation of church.
B. Church constructed upon the back of the person and work of Jesus, the cornerstone, rather than Peter. (1 Peter 2:4-8)

IV. A PROMISED CONSTRCUTION (18)
A. Jesus is launching a new movement centered on Him & constructed by Him.
B. Not only is the church built on Jesus but it is constructed and put into place by the hands of Jesus.

V. A PERPETUAL CONQUEROR (18)
A. His death would not end His church. It would energize it.
B. Church built on & constructed by Jesus & sustained forever by His power.

VI. A PROPELLING COMMISSION (19-20)
A. Jesus would leave the Earth and wait to return for His church. What was the church to do in the meantime?
B. Jesus invests His authority in His church & commissions it to continue His work until His return.

APPLICATION
1. No more going to church. We now, go to be the church.
2. Learn to love the church. Jesus died for it. (Eph 5:25-27)
3. The church is comprised of people who made the same confession of Peter. Make that confession daily.