Title: The King’s Authority and World Opposition: The King of the Unstoppable Kingdom

Text: Matthew 16:13–20 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Main Point: To make a real difference for God’s Kingdom, deepen your love for Him first.

Teaching Points:

1. Love God for Who He is (vv. 13-17)
2. Love God as You Serve Him (vv. 18-19)
3. Love God as You Wait (v. 20)

Title: The Gospel

Main Text: Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Matthew 15:18-20: Acts 26:18; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 20:18-21; Galatians 5:22-25; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 2:22-41; and Romans 1:16-17.

Preaching Point: The good news that Christ bore our judgment on the cross should cause us to take sin seriously, turn from it, and trust that Jesus absorbed the wrath we deserve and gives us His righteousness.

Title: The King’s Authority and Worldly Opposition: Fragile Faith and False Teachers

Main Text: Matthew 16:5–12 (ESV) 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Preaching Point: In a world flooded with dangerous and deceptive teaching, we must continue maturing in our faith or risk being swept away by error.

Teaching Points:

1. Identify Your Twofold Danger vv5-7
2. Make Your Spiritual Maturity a Priority vv8-11a
3. Put Your Spiritual Maturity to Work vv11b-12