BRI The Big Question Mathew 16:13-20 I sat in church, received all the church teaching, but had no real relationship. By real relationship I mean: 1. Belief at the heart level 2. Based on revelation 3. Resulting in heart change 4. Resulting in Christlike behavior There were some reasons: 1. Those who taught me simply duplicated their own condition. 2. There was no interaction with the Spirit in their approach. 3. The church approach I experienced was rote and ritual. Its interesting to note Jesus approach. Matthew 16:13-16 Jesus, What are people saying about who the Son of Man is? Peter, Youre the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus comes back with the implications: 1. Revelation is required to get this. 2. Confession of Christ as Messiah is foundational a. Messiah means, sent, anointed, one. b. Jesus said of his believers, Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you. Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. Receive the Holy Spirit, he said. If you forgive someones sins, theyre gone for good. 3. Real confession of Christ comes from revelation. At some point the Spirit must be the source. 4. Real heart change results in identification by the Spirit 5. Identification by the Spirit gives you Kingdom authority Lord, are we to follow your example explicitly? That is why I came and you are to extend my rule. In eternity I become one with you. Jesus came back, God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didnt get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now Im going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. And thats not all. You will have complete and free access to Gods kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 13:14:21 +0000