What's Coming?: We Are

Sermon notes from UCC (January 19-20, 2008)

Matthew 16:13-20 - Jesus and the apostles go on vacation. He asks Peter, "Who do you say that I am?"

I. Who is Jesus?
- Some say John the Baptist
- Elijah - the forerunner of the Messiah
- Jeremiah or one of the prophets
* All of these responses showed that they thought Jesus was a good guy with a message who had power over death.

Jesus showed the realities of being so close but not knowing who He was.
"Who do you say that I am?" Peter replies:

II. He is the Christ
- Son of the living God
*this was revealed to Peter by God
*Jesus is the rock, the foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11)

III. Because he is the Christ, we have a purpose.
(v. 18): 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.
- The Church should not be sitting still. It should not be silent, defensive, on retreat, or ignoring the pain of its neighbors.
*Gates are designed as a defense. They don't attack -- the Church's job is not to sneak in, but to bash in the gates of hell and leave with larger numbers.
*Death can never defeat faith.
*We need love, concern, and a voice
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Caesarea Philippi, the Banias. This rock is traditionally the location of Peter's affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah. The church on the left is built over the location of the affirmation (it at least occurred somewhere in this vicinity).