Matthew 16:13-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”

17 Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed! No human revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven revealed it to you.

18 You are Peter, and I can guarantee that on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of hell will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free.”

20 Then he strictly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.[1]

Intro

?Who is Jesus? ?Who do you think Jesus is? This is the most important question you will ever answer. Your eternal life hinges (depend) on your answer. If (idea) you are wrong about the person of Jesus then you will die in your sins and stay in hell forever. If (idea) you are right and believe in Jesus you are saved and will see eternal life forever. Many people think they know Jesus, but really don’t know Jesus. Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who does what my Father in heaven wants. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy [preach] in your name? Didn’t we force out demons and do many miracles by the power and authority of your name?’ Then I [Jesus] will tell them publicly [generally], ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.’”[2] Wow! Jesus is very serious. ?How would you feel on Judgment Day when (happen) you meet Jesus and Jesus says I don’t know you go-away bad person. Sad! Very sad!

The people thought (think) they knew Jesus but didn’t really know him (Jesus). I wonder (curious) how-many Lutherans coming to church every-Sunday think they know Jesus and think they are going to heaven. ?Do you really know Jesus? ?Are you sure (true) you are going to heaven?

{Pause…Ask members…?Are you sure (true) YOU are going to heaven?…see their answers and then give members right answer.}

You should be able (possible) to answer a big, “Yes! I know Jesus and I am going to heaven! I trust in Jesus’ work! Jesus came into the world to give himself for the purpose of salvation (save). Jesus is the only Savior.” Acts 4:12, “No one else [other] can save us. Indeed, we can be saved only by the power of the one named Jesus and not by any other person.”[3] Your eternal life is set-up on Jesus only! There is no other name! There is no other person! There is nothing in the entire (all) universe that can save you…only Jesus! John 3:16, “God loved the world this way: He [God] gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him [Jesus] will not die but will have eternal life. “[4] If (idea) you want eternal life, Jesus is your free ticket. Jesus is the ONLY ticket to heaven!

Listen (attention)! To the people of Jesus time! The people were saying, “Some say you are JOHN the Baptizer, others ELIJAH, still others JEREMIAH or one of the prophets.” People were confused about Jesus.

Today, people are still confused about Jesus. Some people say we all believe in the same God. ?Does the Bible say every god (idol) is acceptable? ?Does the Bible say there are many ways to heaven, you only need to pick one? No! No! No! Luke 13:24-27, “Try hard to enter through the narrow door. I can guarantee that many will try to enter, but they won’t succeed. After the homeowner [Jesus] gets up and closes the door, it’s too late. You can stand outside, knock at the door, and say, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he [Jesus] will answer you, ‘I don’t know who you are.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ But he [Jesus] will tell you, ‘I don’t know who you are. Get away from me, all you evil people.’” [5]

Jesus is not just (simply) another man. Noooo! Jesus is God in flesh and blood. Jesus is the Creator of the Universe. Jesus is the ONLY God! ALLAH is not Jesus! ALLAH is not God! BUDDHA is not Jesus! BUDDHA is not God! REV. SUN YUN MOON is not Jesus! Rev. MOON is not God! Only Jesus is true God out of true God! Light out of Light! Jesus is God! No person compares to Jesus! The MORMONS (LDS-Later Day Saints of Jesus Christ) don’t know Jesus! The JEOVAH WITTNESSES don’t know Jesus! The HINDUS don’t know Jesus! Only the people that believe Jesus’ words know him (Jesus). John 10:27-28, “My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me.”[6] Many people calling themselves Christians don’t know Jesus either! Shocking (mouth-drop)! Yes, shocking! Many people think they have the answer but they are wrong…wrong…wrong! Very sad for those people, they are fooled (index finger-dumb). Satan blinds those people.

Many deaf people have zero idea about Jesus. 98% of deaf people don’t know the Master’s words of eternal life. Most ALL deaf people are lost! Psalm 2:12, “Kiss the Son, or he will become angry and you will die on your way

because his anger will burst into flames. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge [hide] in him [Son].”[7] “?Who will tell the deaf? ?Will the deaf Lutherans tell the deaf? So far we are lousy and have not done a good. But there is still time to work. Matthew 9:37-38, “Then he [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is large [98%], but the workers are few. So ask [pray] the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.”[8] Work while it is day! The night is coming soon!

All Lutherans deaf and hearing can join together and tell other people deaf and hearing the “Good News.” We can say with Peter in verse 16, “You [Jesus] are the MESSIAH, the Son of the living God!” This is salvation! Knowing Jesus is the MESSIAH or Savior. Jesus is the Only Savior! Jesus has “finish” forgiven us at Mt. CALVARY. Jesus has “finish” arisen (stand-again) on the 3rd day. Jesus welcomes us to His home heaven. When (happen) our hearts call Jesus the Savior. When (happen) we believe Jesus’ promise we are saved. Jesus says to us the same words He (Jesus) said to Peter, “You are blessed!” Wow! We are blessed and comforted. We have peace with God through Jesus! Jesus says he (Jesus) can build upon our confession…on our trust. Jesus says, “I can guarantee (promise) that on this rock (believing-in-Jesus) I will build my church (called-people). And the gates-of-hell (evil) will not overpower it.” Wow! A beautiful promise from our King, God, and Lord, we have Jesus. We have the true Savior in Word (Bible) and Sacrament (Baptism, Lord’s Supper).

Listen (attention), verse 19, “I [Jesus] will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you imprison, God will imprison. And whatever you set free, God will set free.” Wonderful power is given to us! To forgive sins or hold sins has been handed to us! We are not to keep quiet like the disciples. No! We are to sign from the rooftops. Jesus loves you! Jesus died for you! Jesus arose (stand-again) for you! Jesus is the Only Savior! Now go out there to the deaf and tell about your Savior. You know who Jesus is! Right! He (Jesus) is the only Savior! Matthew 28:19, “So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.[9]

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[1]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Mt 16:13-20). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[2]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Mt 7:21-23). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[3]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Ac 4:12). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[4]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Jn 3:16-17). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[5]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Lk 13:24-28). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[6]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Jn 10:27-28). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[7]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Ps 2:12). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[8]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Mt 9:37-38). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

[9]God's Word. 1996, c1995 (Mt 28:19). Grand Rapids: World Publishing.

14th Sunday Pentecost A

Matthew 16:13-20

Intro