Helmet Of Salvation: KINGDOM

Keys to the Kingdom

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT:

And on this rock, I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16: 18b-19

Blessing to enjoy: The faith of the believer is the bedrock upon which the church of the Lord is built, and we are able to receive keys to the kingdom.

Example to follow: Surprisingly, Peter, of the old days…

Thoughts to carry: Peter has been known as impulsive and bold. He's one of three in Jesus' core group of followers, was told by the Father that Jesus is the Messiah, he denied Christ three times (but repented and was forgiven and restored), he preached the sermon on the day of Pentecost, and he wrote 1 and 2 Peter.

Peter had this reputation for saying what was on his mind. Jesus once called him Satan for opposing the Father's will, even though Peter's intentions were probably good. He was ready to fight and cut the ear off of one of the soldiers who were sent to obtain Jesus, but Jesus replaced the ear and spoke against the action.

It would appear that Peter did not quite get things right, as it relates to the kingdom of God and doing the work of Christ. However, even though Peter, like all of us, had his down days, or days that he did not quite measure up to the image of Christ that we try to convey… God did use Peter in great ways and we can still learn a great deal from him, today.

He generally represents the fact that believers falter at times, but when we confess and repent, Christ is faithful and just to forgive us and He strengthens our faith, in the process.

Breastplate of Righteousness

Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

(Peter's Confession)

In this passage of Scripture (Matthew 16:13-20), we hear Peter make a proclamation that each Christian knows well, today. At the time, it was not common knowledge, or even word of mouth on as wide a scale as it is today, but this is the first record that we have of a believer confessing with his mouth and believing in his heart that Jesus is Lord - a fact given to him by none other than the Father, Himself.

The Bible is FULL of information that will help the believer in every way. Even as I look at Peter, alone, there is simply so much to learn from his relationship with our Lord and Savior, but for the purpose of this lesson, I'm focusing supremely on Peter's confession and Christ's response.

In the gospel, we see that Christ wondered, "How long must I put up with this generation?" (Matt 17:17) The people around Him were frequently vexing. His disciples were often a disappointment. The religious leaders were always opposition. And while Jesus knew that it was all in His Father's plan - it must have been tiring, at least sometimes, to always be surrounded by people who needed a Savior and yet doubted the only One that they would be given, the only One able to save us.

Familiar story - Jesus and the fellows are all having a meeting and our Lord asks His boys a few questions, among them, "Who do you say that I am?" That's when our boy, Simon (Peter) opens his mouth and speaks - knowing that he's reporting the facts. He doesn't hesitate and he doesn't cower. He just knows that what he's saying to his teacher is the truth.

Simon says, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

Now, I can't say for sure if one of the other guys was going to say the same thing, or if they all even fully believed that truth before this point in time. But the Bible does make this thing clear: "Flesh and blood did not reveal this." - Christ, Himself.

From this moment on, the disciples NOW KNOW that their Teacher, Brother, and Friend is none other than the Savior of their people, whom they had been waiting for. Now, they know that even though it looked unlikely at times, their Savior was entrusting them with His Father's powerful work. They were quickly approaching the purpose for which each of them were created. All of them died, all but one (John) died horribly painful deaths. Peter is said to have been crucified upside-down. But, even in all of this, they lived their purposes, and He did build His church based upon their faith.

Then, after all was said and done, when they had lived out their purposes on this side and suffered greatly with Him, at times, becoming poor in spirit, they went on home, to see His face. They were allowed to enter that place which He went to prepare for them. They were given keys to the kingdom, because the kingdom became home when they were adopted through faith.

Girdle of Truth: Learn to live with my confession of faith as my main motivation and the purpose that God has created me for as my main goal.

Shield of Faith: When I know who Jesus Christ is, I have acquired the faith that He requires of us in order to build His church.

Sandals of Peace:

Heavenly Father, my God of many names, who does many things and CAN DO ANYTHING, but fail…

I earnestly pray that as I study, I will learn from Peter's mistakes and glean from his triumphs through You. Peter and I have both made the same confession of who YOU are, so I should be able to become just as bold as You made him.

The same YAHWEH MEKKADISHKIM who sanctified this apostle is the same who is sanctifying me, right now. Lord, I pray to be like Christ, in my heart and to receive Your anointing to go out into this world as a true disciple and make fishers of men.

I now put on the full armor of God and take up my cross to follow Christ, that You , YAHWEH TSIDKENU may make me righteous, in your righteousness, for Your name's sake and the spread of the gospel.

Matthew 16:13-20