WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?

 
Newsletter  101

Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(KJV)

Jesus was well aware that people had many different opinions as to who he was. Ask that question of the man on the street today, and you would also get a variety of answers. In fact you could ask that question of the men in the pulpits of America and you would still get a number of different answers. They would range from those who would say, “He never existed. It is all a fairy tale.”. To, “ He was a great teacher,” “He was the founder of a religion.” And a few, would perhaps answer, “He is the Son of God.” Yes, Jesus was aware of what they were saying then, as he is today. What he wanted was that his disciples would put into words, what they believed about him.

Peter spoke for them all when he said, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” Peter did not hesitate to speak on behalf of them all. He was a natural leader, even then. Unfortunately at that stage he was still very unstable in his own faith. Still, he knew what he believed and did not hesitate to put it into words. This was the same Peter who not many days afterwards would waver in faith to such an extent that on the night of Jesus’ betrayal he would deny, not once but three times in quick sequence, that he did not even knew Him. Realizing what he had done, he repented with bitter tears. If only men would follow that example, rather than covering up, or denying their weakness. This confession, one that Christians are all called upon to make not once but frequently, came of God the father and not of Peter himself. Faith comes of hearing the Word, and not of ourselves. God still speaks to us and brings a change of heart though his Word, the Bible. Many clergy, have many degrees after their names, but their knowledge has come from books of men, and not of the one Book of God. They know what men had concluded about the Bible, but not the Author back of the “scribe” He used to record the inspired, “God breathed” Word. Jesus said this came of God, the Father.

I would be error not to mention the wonderful line, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He clearly points out that Peter is as a small pebble indeed, “petros,” and not the solid (rock-mass,) or “petra,” on which the church is firmly founded. The in destructible church, is founded on the fact of the divinity of Christ, the Son of God. Any group which denies the divinity of Christ, is not the indestructible church and body of Christ. This statement of the faith of Christians and a part of their conversion and witness, will prevail until he comes again to call them home.

AN URGENT PRAYER CALL FORWARDED TO YOU!

PRAY EVERY EVENING AT 8:OO P.M. CENTRAL STANDARD TIMEPRAISE GOD FOR OUR FREEDOM OF WORSHIP.PETITION FOR OUR TROOPSPETITION ON BEHALF OF THE UNSAVED.PRAY FOR OUR NATIONS LEADERSHIP PRESENT AND FUTURE.IN THE NAME OF OUR SAVIOR JESUS.

I PLEDGE TO READ MY BIBLE THROUGH IN 2008
  AUGUST
17th. Sunday - 2 Chronicles 5,6,1Corinthians 12:14-31, Psalm 98  
18th. Monday - 2 Chronicles 7,8,1Corinthians 13, Psalm 99
19th. Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 9,10,11,1Corinthians 14:1-19, Psalm 100
20th. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 12,13,14, 1Corinthians 14:20-40, Proverbs 20:11-20
21st. Thursday - 2 Chronicles 15,16,17, 1Corinthians 15:1-29, Psalm 101
22nd. Friday - 2 Chronicles 18,19,1Corinthians 15:30-58, Psalm 102:1-11
23rd. Saturday - 2 Chronicles 20, 1Corinthians 16, Psalm 102:12-19
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE GEM

PETER OPENS THE DOORS TO SALVATION AND HEAVEN

Acts 2:37-42
37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
KJV

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DRIVING IN THE COUNTRY?

If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many folks learned to drive on a model of vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for the vehicle.
 
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