21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I Reading: Isaiah 22:19-23: I place the key the House of David on his shoulder.

II Reading: Romans 11:33-36: All that exists come from him; all is by him and for him.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23: You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

The Messiah’s Dramatic Revelation of Himself and His Church:

Peter’s Great Confession, Mt 16:13-20

Jesus reveals his Divine revelation and teaches his disciples and builds His Church on Peter’s great confession of faith that Jesus as the Messiah or Christ, the Son of the living God as against the false gods and goddesses.  

Peter received a new name, as Abram became Abraham, no longer Simon bar Jonah, but Peter the Rock, for such was the meaning of his new name. Isaiah placed the “key of the House of David” on the shoulder of his appointee; in a similar way our Lord denoted Peter’s future authority.

1. Jesus Christ was in the area of Caesarea Philippi (v.13)

2. This confession is not the confession of the world (v.13-14)

a. The first critical question

b. The false confessions

3. This confession declares one’s trust in Christ (v.15-16)

a. The second critical question, v.15

b. The true confession: a person confession in Jesus Christ

4. This confession is revealed by God alone (v.17)

5. This confession is the foundation of the Church (v.18)

a. Fact 1: His Church

b. Fact 2: He builds

c. Fact 3: He protects

6. This confession assigns great responsibility to believers for the Church (v.19)

a. A resp. to use the keys to the kingdom of heaven

b. A resp. to bind and loose on earth

7. This confession must be understood before being shared with others (v.20)

Thought: The church is the church of Jesus Christ and he said, “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.” Then he gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven to bind or loose on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven which means the authority and power was given to Peter to forgive or pardon others when the people come to him.

Note the exact words spoken by Jesus Chirst:

1. “My church.” The church is Christ’s not man’s.

2. “I will build.” Christ builds the church.

3. “The gates of Hades will not cover come it.” Christ himself protects the church.

The true church is universal. It is made up of all who genuinely confess Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. If God is living, then Christ is living. He is therefore, “My God and my Lord.”

Two things are essential before a believer can effectively proclaim the gospel.

1. He/she must understand the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Cor 15:1-4).

2. He must be indwelt and in filled with the Spirit of God (Acts 1:8).

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