Matthew 16:13-18
How To Avoid Freak Out! Isn’t this a topic that the world needs to hear? Whether televised on the news, on your social media newsfeed, or coming at ya hard from some fear-mongering TikTok sham, there always seems to be something causing intense anxiety or panic. And there are a lot of “somethings”; fears of escalation in the Middle East, concerns ofan upcoming recession, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, prolonged heat wave, slowing economic growth, record-breaking floods, a market crash . . . This week's news highlights a concerning combination of ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainty, environmental threats, and public health issues, painting a picture of a world facing a lot of crazy stuff. And let’s not forget about our own personal crises that throw us into a tailspin. How are you handling anxiety? Let’stake a moment to skip the headlines, stop the scrolling, and instead look to the Word of God and some powerful truths in Matthew 16.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:13-18
Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ points us to a beautiful peace. God allowed Peter to understand that Jesus is both the Messiah and the Son of God! He’s not just a good teacher, He’s not just a miracle worker, He’s not just another way to God. He is the Christ and the Son of God. Peter knew Jesus, Peter understood, and we must as well! Jesus then gives Peter a beautiful glimpse of the unstoppable church. Aren’t you glad that neither spiritual darkness nor the power of death will be able to stop the work of Jesus through His Church! Amen!!
Listen, friends: nothing can stop the power of Jesus! Nothing! That’s the point. If we want to exercise power over worry, anxiety, sin, and death, let us submit totally to Jesus and be led by Him and the power of His Holy Spirit. Jesus is saying that believers in Christ will not be overcome by the power of death, that is, that they will be raised from the dead. This is peace. This is the unstoppable JoyRide, the unstoppable church.
How To Avoid Freak Out! Isn’t this a topic that the world needs to hear? Whether televised on the news, on your social media newsfeed, or coming at ya hard from some fear-mongering TikTok sham, there always seems to be something causing intense anxiety or panic. And there are a lot of “somethings”; fears of escalation in the Middle East, concerns ofan upcoming recession, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, prolonged heat wave, slowing economic growth, record-breaking floods, a market crash . . . This week's news highlights a concerning combination of ongoing conflicts, economic uncertainty, environmental threats, and public health issues, painting a picture of a world facing a lot of crazy stuff. And let’s not forget about our own personal crises that throw us into a tailspin. How are you handling anxiety? Let’stake a moment to skip the headlines, stop the scrolling, and instead look to the Word of God and some powerful truths in Matthew 16.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:13-18
Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ points us to a beautiful peace. God allowed Peter to understand that Jesus is both the Messiah and the Son of God! He’s not just a good teacher, He’s not just a miracle worker, He’s not just another way to God. He is the Christ and the Son of God. Peter knew Jesus, Peter understood, and we must as well! Jesus then gives Peter a beautiful glimpse of the unstoppable church. Aren’t you glad that neither spiritual darkness nor the power of death will be able to stop the work of Jesus through His Church! Amen!!
Listen, friends: nothing can stop the power of Jesus! Nothing! That’s the point. If we want to exercise power over worry, anxiety, sin, and death, let us submit totally to Jesus and be led by Him and the power of His Holy Spirit. Jesus is saying that believers in Christ will not be overcome by the power of death, that is, that they will be raised from the dead. This is peace. This is the unstoppable JoyRide, the unstoppable church.
Posted in Devotional