Matthew Sermon 51 – Mat 16.13-21 – Confessing the Faith

Matthew Sermon 51 – Mat16.13-21 – Confessing the Faith

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Sermon intro

“Who do the crowds say that I am?” “Who do you say that I am?” Through these two simple questions, Jesus forced the disciples to articulate in their own fallible words the truth about Jesus in the face of prevailing confusion and error. This is biblical confessionalism, and the risen and reigning Christ has continued this process with every generation of disciples down through church history. This is how Christ forces the church to maturity and brings the world to the truth. I hope you enjoy the sermon. Thanks for listening. -Alan Burrow

Questions to answer while listening

* What does this passage represent in terms of the structure of Matthew?

* What has Jesus been doing up to this point, and what does He start doing afterwards?

* In one sense, we can say that everything Jesus has done up to this point has been to . . .

* This passage demonstrates what we might call . . .

* Who initiates this process?

* What is the first thing Jesus does?

* What is the second thing Jesus does?

* What does Jesus require the disciples to use in this process?

* Who is behind this process?

* What does Jesus do in response to the disciples’ confession of faith?

* What is the heart of the disciples’ confession of faith?

* How does this process apply to the Church down through history?

* How does Jesus continue this process?

* Why does Jesus continue this process?

* Confessing the faith is aimed not only at outright lies, but also . . .

* Where does the battle for the truth take place in the first instance?

* What tactic does Satan often use in attacking the truth?

* What was the first big battle for the truth after the first century?

* What was the second big battle for the truth after the first century?

* Where does Christ always drive His Church in confessing the faith?

* What is perhaps the biggest battle for the truth in our day?

* How has the Church done so far in that battle?

* What is at stake?

* What must the Church do to do better?