You Can't Lose These Keys!

Do you ever lose your keys? There are new devices to help you find lost keys. I lose or forget passwords all the time - they are a form of a key.

Years ago when the shed outside was delivered, the delivery man handed me a set of keys. The keys opened the door. I have made many copies of those keys and given them to others. All the duplicate keys work the exact same way - they open the door.

Once the door is open, the key holder has authority over all the contents of the shed. He can grab a weed eater, spray weed poison, pick up a shovel, or take fuel for the mower. The key-holder has everything in the shed at his disposal.

The power and qualities of Admission to and administration of is found in the keys.

Here is another “Snapshot of Jesus and His Kingdom.”

6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths Mortal Kingdoms Are Not Lasting

Mortal kingdoms are not lasting, and, while they last, are not uniform. They have their climacteric years, and terminate within certain periods. The kingdom of heaven shall have no end. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

READ PASSAGE. 13-20

Following this message, Jesus talks of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection. The Gospel comes into Focus.

Peter says “it will never happen” and “Rebukes” Jesus at the idea of Him dying. “Get thee behind me Satan.”

Caesarea Philippi is one of the Northernmost parts of Isreal. It is at the base of the tallest mountain, Mount Hermon.

This area was mentioned in Isaiah 9:1 and whenever armies would invade Israel, they would not go over the tallest mountain, they would go around the base of it, so this was a well traveled area, “on the way to the sea” by the time of Christ.

They had several temples to false gods. “Pan, Baal, and several other Temples when Jesus was there.

New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition (4074 Πέτρος (Petros))

Πέτρος Petros; used as a proper name; “a stone” or “a boulder, pebble.

πέτρα petra; a (large mass of) rock:

Jesus GIVES these Keys in response to Peter’s faith as revealed by God the Father...

This is Peter’s CONFESSION OF FAITH.

His heart and mind are affected, effected, and infected with TRUTH!

GIVE = δίδωμι

1. of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage; to bestow, give as a gift:

2. to grant, give to one asking, let have:

3. to supply, furnish.

Christians Hold the Keys to God’s Will.

Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary ((b) Peter’s Investiture (16:17–20))

Among the Hebrews the symbol of keys did not refer to the priests; it referred to the scribes, the teachers of the law whose duty it was to unlock the truth of God.

The scribes had failed miserably in their office and now the Lord committed the keys to Peter.After telling the parables of the kingdom, the Lord had said, “Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:52).

When Peter made His inspired confession of faith (16:16), he became a scribe “instructed unto the kingdom of heaven.” When the Lord said to him, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (16:19), He was saying in effect, “You are my scribe.”

The Train Like a Scribe Parable (Mt 13:52) with the homeowner is a “Shout out” to the incompetency of religion, and like a SCRIBE studies to teach, Peter, and us too should “Train Like a Scribe.” We can find, have, and live the Will of God...

WHAT ARE THESE KINGDOM KEYS???

Keys are Spiritual. 17

Keys are Selective. 18

Keys are Supernatural. 19

These keys open our eyes to truth.

They unlock our hearts to Jesus.

They give access for our soul to Heaven.

WE HAVE THE SAME KEYS.

Jesus says this verse following the resurrection to all His disciples...

John 20:22–23 KJV 1900

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Very similar KEYS, Authority, Privilege, and Opportunity as found in Mathew 16.

CHRISTIANS and PETER are not forgiving sins, or paying for sins, but recognizing what Jesus already did at the CROSS.

We would agree with the Scribes and Pharisees - “Who can forgive sins, but God?”

Every Christian has the same KEYS that Peter Had...

Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary ((b) Peter’s Investiture (16:17–20))

“Because Peter was the first to utter the great confession of the church age, he was to be the first to open the church’s previously locked doors to both the Jews and the Gentiles.”

The Keys open Heaven's door of faith so people can learn, know and love Jesus, be forgiven of sin, and be saved. We come on into Heaven and God’s family...

1 Timothy 2:4 KJV 1900

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Just like Peter, You can preach the Gospel to anyone.

Some propose Peter is more special (Primacy) and that he started the church at Rome as the Pope. But after this declaration, they still argue about who is the greatest (chapter 18), and again in chapter 20. Peter was the first to confess Jesus, but he was only the first of the rest.

Every Christian has the same KEYS that Peter Had...

There are more than one key:

“Keys.” You can have a key too!

like when I make extra shed keys - the copier keys work…

Every Christian following Jesus has the same calling and qualification to hold the keys to the Kingdom.

The Holy Spirit you have is the same one Peter had.

Christians Hold the Keys to God’s Will.

Three Ways These Keys Work:

SPIRITUAL: Accept the Keys, 17

God the Father reveals himself to Peter.

This is not a flesh and blood or physical thing - it is Spiritual.

The Holy Spirit implanted some faith into Peter.

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Peter is the first to publically confess Jesus.

Peter is the first to “Unlock” the Door to Heaven with his Confession of Faith.

Peter is a competent “Scribe” who is bold in faith.

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU? Is He the Risen Son of God? The Christ, the Son of the Living God?

Have you believed and expressed that belief in the GOSPEL?

SELECTIVE: Answer the Call, 18.

Every time we have a list of the 12 disciples - Peter is listed first.

Matthew 10:2 KJV 1900

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Peter is the first to OPEN THE DOOR OF FAITH.

He preaches to Jews at Pentecost in Acts 2.

He includes Gentiles in the church in Acts 10.

He leads the church to focus on the GOSPEL Only in Acts 15.

Peter was the one to walk on water in Matthew 14.

Peter was the one following Jesus when on trial.

Peter was the one denying Jesus.

Peter was the one Jesus specifically asked about to ensure he knew his sin was forgiven and their relationship restored.

IN CONTRAST TO THE SCRIBES, Jesus gave Peter the KEYS to share with others to know and grow.

The Key for one man's faith. (INDIVIDUAL)

Acts 10:1 KJV 1900

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

The key for all the gentiles to be saved and to know the difference between empty religion and authentic relationship with Jesus. (GROUP)

Acts 15:7–11 KJV 1900

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Not everyone knows what you know.

All lost people do not have the keys to know the difference between a religion and a relationship with Jesus.

Answer the Call to let the Lord use you in service to HIM. USE THE KEYS…

Jesus was going to build His church and Peter was going to be a small part of that.

You can be part of God’s building of His church. USE THE KEYS.

Will you find your way to “Win to Jesus in service?”

Worship Walk, Win. USE THE KEYS.

DON’T FORGET - Jesus Wins! “The Gates of Hell do not prevail.” 18

Gates are not on the offensive, but defensive.

Christians can go right near the edge of Hell to reach a lost person with the Gospel. Things may get hot. Circumstances by not be good, but Hell does not win.

“Show me a good loser, and I will show you a loser.”

“We run to win, not just to be in the race.”

-Vince Lombardi

Christians Hold the Keys to God’s Will.

Spiritual - Accept The Keys.

Selective - Answer the Call. USE THE KEYS in SERVICE.

SUPERNATURAL: Affirm God’s Will, 19.

Matthew, Mark, Luke: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 1 The Christ, the Son of the Living God (16:13–20)

But Peter’s role of binding and loosing is representative of what all disciples will experience, because all disciples share in the authority of “binding and loosing” (cf. 18:18; John 20:22b–23).

Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (b) Peter’s Investiture (16:17–20)

The meaning of the original Greek is that the disciples would be so led by the Spirit that they would follow the divine or heavenly format. That is, what they would “bind” or “loose” on earth would be consistent with the divine pattern.

Christians can pass along information that has already been decided in Heaven.

We can confirm God’s will as revealed in the Word of God which is settled in Heaven.

We are to affirm God’s will on earth as it’s already been declared in Heaven.

Word Pictures in the New Testament Matthew 16:19

To “bind” (δησῃς [dēsēis]) in rabbinical language is to forbid, to “loose” (λυσῃς [lusēis]) is to permit. Peter would be like a rabbi who passes on many points. Rabbis of the school of Hillel “loosed” many things that the school of Schammai “bound.” The teaching of Jesus is the standard for Peter and for all preachers of Christ.

Matthew 3. The Instructions after the Profession (Matthew 16:17–19)

Knowing spiritual truth can lead you to eternity in heaven. Ignorance of spiritual truth can damn you to hell forever

Christians can study and share God's truth with others unlocking the doors of faith as the Holy Spirit illuminates His truth into the heart.

My Favorite Illustrations (Dr. George W. Truett on God’s Will)

“To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge; to do the will of God is the greatest achievement. The will of God is not always easy, but it is always right.” - Truett

Jesus is the best example of Finding and Doing God’s Will, opening the Gates to the Kingdom of Heaven:

Matthew 6:8–13 KJV 1900

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Today's Best Illustrations, Volumes 1-4 (Where the Line Is)

To applaud the will of God, to do the will of God, even to fight for the will of God is not difficult … until it comes at cross-purposes with our will. Then the lines are drawn.

—Richard J. Foster, Christian Reader, Vol. 31.

Luke 22:39–42 KJV 1900

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

HOW CAN I AFFIRM GOD’S WILL?

Affirm God’s Will in Your PRAYERS.

Affirm God’s Will in Your PRAISE.

Affirm God’s Will in your Daily PRACTICE.

Christians Hold the Keys to God’s Will.

USE THESE KEYS FOR GOD’S GLORY.

Henry John Heinz began packing foodstuffs on a small scale at Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1869. There, he founded Heinz Noble & Company with a friend, L. Clarence Noble, and started marketing bottled horseradish, soon followed by sauerkraut, vinegar, and pickles. The company went bankrupt in 1875. The following year, Heinz founded another company, F & J Heinz, with his brother John Heinz and a cousin, Frederick Heinz.[6]

The company continued to grow and, in 1888, Heinz bought out his other two partners and reorganized it as the H. J. Heinz Company, the name carried to the present day. The company's slogan, "57 varieties," was introduced by Heinz in 1896; by then, the company was selling more than 60 different products.[7] Heinz said he chose "5" because it was his lucky number; the number "7" was his wife's lucky number.[8]

The H. J. Heinz Company was incorporated in 1905 with Heinz serving as its first president, retaining that position for the rest of his life.[6] At the time of Heinz's death in Pittsburgh at the age of 74, the H. J. Heinz Company had more than 20 food processing plants and owned seed farms and container factories.

Henry (HJ) Heinz’ confession of Faith...

Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations H. J. Heinz’s Testimony

“Looking forward to the time when my earthly career shall end, I desire to set forth at the very beginning of this will, as the most important item in it, a confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Saviour.

“I also desire to bear witness to the fact that throughout my life in which there were the usual joys and sorrows, I have been wonderfully sustained by my faith in God through Jesus Christ. This legacy was left me by my sacred mother, who was a woman of strong faith, and to it I attribute any success I may have attained during my life.”

Henry (HJ) Heinz’ confession of Faith was passed down to him by his mother. His mother USED THE KEYS and was like a “Scribe” who taught about Jesus and then God the Father opened the door of faith for Heinz to be saved and have his own set of keys.

RESPONSE:

Accept the Keys - Be saved.

Answer the Call - Be Serving. Be a small part of God’s work.

Affirm God’s Will…

PRAYERS, PRAISE, PRACTICE