Peter's Declaration of Christ's Lordship...

Below is an excerpt from my Bible study, "On This Rock - From Fisherman to Follower." This is a study on the life and ministry of Peter... For more information about this Bible study and other studies, visit our website: www.solidtruthministries.com.
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      Earlier in our study, I mentioned that school was not easy for me. I had to study really hard for good grades. Periodically, to my surprise, I would receive a 100% on a test or paper. After the shock wore off, I was soaring high. My whole day seemed brighter. I’m a little vague on the details, but I probably tucked that paper in the front pocket of my notebook and when I got home, I no doubt read my answers again and again in utter disbelief. I may have even jumped on my bed shouting, “I got all the answers right!” What a great feeling to know that I “nailed” it.

      On two different occasions, Peter “nailed” it too. However, the tests that were presented were not about math equations, geographical locations, historical statistics, religious principles, or even fishing techniques. No, these tests were much more important and were graded by Jesus’ approval. Oh, how I hope that I could be applauded some day by Jesus for giving the right answer. Now, let us direct our attention to these incredible moments in Peter’s early ministry.

      Read Matthew 16:13-20 and John 6:66-69.

     What are the two questions Jesus proposed at different times to the disciples?

Matthew 16:15 _______________________________________________________________________

   

John 6:67 ___________________________________________________________________________

      What are Peter’s answers?

Matthew 16:16 _______________________________________________________________________

John 6:68-69 ________________________________________________________________________

      Written tests in school were sometimes scary for me, but oral exams were even more intimidating. With the whole class listening, a quick and correct answer was expected after the question was presented. Sometimes, I wished I was invisible. I hoped the teacher would somehow overlook me when I was unsure about the correct answer. Other times, I was the first to raise my hand because I was confident I knew the answer.

      The scenes before us today are not inside a modern day classroom; instead, they are located in God’s land where the wisest Teacher to ever walk the earth is presenting the questions. All twelve disciples were present on both occasions when the questions were asked, but only Peter spoke up. Perhaps he was gifted with a keen perception and the ability to express his ideas quickly. Or perhaps the others didn’t really know what to say at this point. However, what’s important in these two passages is not how fast Peter spoke, but the reflective words that come rushing out of his mouth.

      Let us now look at both scenarios separately.

      Read again Matthew 16:13-20.

      How do you know Jesus approved of Peter’s answer according to Matthew 16:17-19?

      A moment I will never forget is the day I walked across the stage to receive my college diploma. My parents, my husband (who was my fiancé at the time), and even my pastor came to show their undying support. After five years of hard work, often giving up my social life, I donned a cap and gown, took my place in line, and so proudly accepted that much deserved certificate. Though I couldn’t see their faces, I pictured my parents smiling from ear to ear and clapping as loud as they possibly could. I was the only one of their daughters to attend college and they knew how hard I worked for this moment. Consequently, I reveled in their approval. We all want to please those we love.

      Many years later, I still want my parents to be proud of me, but not as much as I want Jesus’ approval. Only His applause reaps eternal benefits. In our story today, Jesus seemed to be very pleased with Peter’s response to His question. Our text says that Jesus replied to Peter by saying, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah” (Matthew 16:17). The original word for blessed means: “receiving God’s favor.”² Jesus also told Peter that what he proudly declared was not revealed to him by man, but by God. It is also important to note that Peter was wise enough to listen to what God revealed. Nevertheless, Peter still finds himself on the winning side with Jesus at this moment. As we ponder Peter’s statement, we may just discover why Jesus so proudly hailed him.

      Think about what you know about Jesus. If Jesus asked you, “Who do you say I am,” what would be your response?

      As we discovered earlier in our study, Jesus Christ was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. From the earliest of times, the Jewish people waited and longed for the Redeemer God had promised. When Jesus finally arrived, many people did not believe that He was the Messiah who had come to set them free. They simply rejected Him as their Savior. What makes Peter’s statement here in Matthew 16:16 so remarkable is that he recognized Jesus Christ as the One sent by God. On Day 3 of Week 1, we observed an Old Testament passage that calls the Promised Messiah, “the Anointed One” (Daniel 9:25). The word Christ in Matthew 16:16 is actually the Greek New Testament word for the Hebrew Old Testament word Messiah. Subsequently, Peter identified this Jesus of Nazareth as the One whom God would send to redeem and deliver Israel; the One he was waiting for. In essence, Peter was declaring Jesus’ Lordship.

      Based on Luke 6:46-49, answer the following two questions:

      What gives us the right to call Jesus Lord?

      How does Jesus describe obedience?
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We are offering this Bible study in January as an ONLINE Bible study. Check it out on our website: http://www.solidtruthministries.com/.

Finishing Strong...

More about my dad...

My dad holding Terri, my mom, my Grandma holding me.

      My dad married my mom when she was just 17 years old. He was 20. After my dad came home from serving in the Korean War, my oldest sister was born. Within 7 years, they had four daughters. My mom and dad grew up differently. While my mom grew up going to church, my dad only went sometimes with a neighbor. When we were young, my dad began to drink heavily and would often frequent the bars. Bringing up his children in church in those days was not important to my dad. However, my mom would get up every Sunday, dress all 4 of her girls, and take us to church. I believe this began to weigh heavily upon my dad’s heart. My dad had come to know Jesus Christ at a younger age, but some of those generational bondages had taken a hold of my dad by the time his family arrived.

My dad's lovely bride.



      I love hearing my dad’s story…I’ve heard it many times. One day, conviction captivated my dad’s heart as he began to see that he was destroying his family. He had one of two choices: 1) to continue down this destructive road; or 2) to get his life together and make some better choices. He chose the latter, and for that I am so grateful. My dad finally made a conscious decision to visit a pastor; and there is in his office, he surrendered his heart and life to Christ. This began a brand new journey for my dad and his family. We then began going to church together as a family. I’m certain that it was this life choice that saved my parents’ marriage and helped them to stay together for 59 years.

      Today, at 79 years old (almost 80), my dad is coming to the end of his life. He is preparing to meet Jesus face to face; the ONE he has loved since that day in that pastor’s office. Thinking of my dad crossing the finish line, I am reminded of what Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:7-8). This is called, finishing strong.  I believe that finishing strong is possible for all believers, but not everyone chooses God’s pathway. Finishing strong is not about what we have done in the past, but it’s about putting the past behind us and moving forward with God in the lead. It’s about “keeping the faith” as Paul said. It’s about loving Jesus no matter what the circumstances. It’s about not just hearing the Word of God, but doing what it says. Finishing strong is about loving others and leading by example, not just words.

My dad and his great-grandkids

 

      My dad wasn’t perfect, but he was a good and faithful man. At the end of every road of life, we will all meet God, whether we believed in His Son or not. Whether they are for Him or not, everyone will meet God. Some will not know Him because they had no room for Him in their lives while on the earth, or they chose to reject Him. Others will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I believe my dad will hear those words. This is called, finishing strong. Paul said that we should “run in such a way as to get the prize” (I Corinthians 9:24). What a blessing to have this legacy passed on to me.