May 18, 2025

                                                       Matthew 16:13-19

                                      “The Ingredients of an Invincible Church”

May 18, 2025                                                                                              Dr. Don Bazal

     We come to a major turning point in the Gospel of Matthew.  As the Gospel unfolds we feel the cold breeze of rejection begin and it blows stronger and colder.  It is now that the cross comes into full view on the horizon.  The opposition to Jesus is open and obvious.  The masses of the nation are being swayed by indecision from the false teaching and the leaven of the Pharisees.  Also the disciples were wandering in the wilderness of uncertainty and misunderstanding as to Jesus and His role in the Kingdom of God:   vv 21-23.

THE CHURCH THAT IS INVINCIBLE IS ONE WHERE CHRIST IS INDISPUTABLE:   

vv 13-17.

 Note the question in vv 13-14.

Note the answer in v.16 by Peter

1.  The “Christ” = identity
2. The “Son = Deity
3. The “living God” = eternality

TRUTH:  Divine Truth is God – revealed.

I Corinthians 2:6-10 – Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; ⁷ but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; ⁸ the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; ⁹ but just as it is written, ¹⁰ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

 I Corinthians 1:11-13 – For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. ¹² Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” ¹³Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

 I Corinthians 2:14 – But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

The greatest crisis in Christianity is Christology.

THE CHURCH IS INVINCIBLE WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE NOT INVISIBLE:   vv18-19.

 Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 Hebrews 2:14-15 – Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

 Acts 2:17 – ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 

 “loosed and bound” – John 8:32,36 – and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”. . . ³⁶ So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.