REVELATION OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20

There is so much to say and to write about Jesus Christ that it will take more than a short Sunday sermon to accomplish. What I will do here is to present some basic facts about our Lord Jesus Christ to build our faith in Him. Jesus is known as both Son of Man and Son of God. These two are titles that. Son of Man is a title of Authority and Son of God is a title of Deity. We need an understanding of both in order to properly place our faith in him. The names of Jesus Christ reveal His work

1. The Names Of Jesus Christ

The apostle Peter gave is understanding of Christ's person by revelation. The Jews at that time were expecting the Messiah at that time but did not know or believe that Jesus was the messiah.
(i.) The Name JESUS (Mat.1:21; Zech.3:1): Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua or Yehoshua, Yahweh is salvation. He shall save His people from their sins. The work of salvation was the main work Jesus came to accomplish on earth. Believing in Him leads to salvation for the repentant sinner (John 3:15-18)
(ii.) The Name CHRIST (Luke 2:10-11; Lev.4:3; 1Sam.9:16; 10:1; 2 Sam.19:10): This is the 'official' title of Jesus. He is Jesus the anointed one. In the Old Testament kings and priests were regularly anointed. the oil of anointing symbolised the Holy Spirit of God (Isa.61:1; zech.4:1-6); and the anointing represented the transfer of the Holy Spirit upon the anointed person (1Sam.10:1, 6, 10; 16:13, 14).  As the High Priest and as the King of Kings, he is the Anointed One (Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:26-28). Christ was anointed from eternity but made manifest when he was conceived, born and baptised (Luke 1:35; Mat.3:16).
Why was Christ anointed (Isa,61:1-3)? To preach the Good News; to bind broken hearts; to proclaim freedom to captives; to release those who are bound (by Satan).
(iii.) The Name SON OF MAN: Over forty times in the Gospels, Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of man (Daniel 7:13; Mat.8:20; 10:23; 12:8, 32, 40; 13:37, 41; 16:27, 28; 18:11; 19:28). In most of these passages we see Christ manifesting power and authority. As Son of Man, He has power to execute judgement on the world (John 5:22-27). He has power to give life to whomsoever e will.
(iv.) The Name SON OF GOD (Psalm 2:7; Luke 1:35; Mat.18-24; John 5:18, 23, 14:9-11): He is God's representative; He is the heir of God. He affirms it (John 10:36); The Father affirms it (Mat.3:17; 17:5). Demons recognise Him by that name (Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28). This name reveals the divinity of Christ (Mat.11:27; 14:28-33; John 6:69; 8:16;, 18, 23). He is the second Person of the Trinity. He is the one who came in the flesh to obtain eternal salvation for man. He is the one who fulfils all the prophecies concerning the Messiah.

2. The Revelation Of The Church

In this passage (Mat.16:15-19) is found the first mention of the Church. The Church therefore is an institution established by the Son of God. The Church is established upon the concrete fact of the Son-ship of Christ - upon this rock. Jesus gave power and authority to the Church (Mat.18:18-20). Every member of the Church shares in that heritage. This passage seems to through light to the meaning of (Mat.11:11). the least in the Kingdom can exercise tremendous power and authority on earth.
Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. What a comforting promise in light of the persecution that always faces the Church, We claim that promise for this our local Church. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us! We claim the keys of authority - to bind and to loose. We claim the power of agreement. Whatever we agree upon as the Church of Christ, shall be done for us by our Father.
Take some time to think of some of those things that need to be bound in our Church or in your life or in your family.
3.The Response Of The Believer
(2Cor.6:14-18) - "come out from among them". The Church is a called out people. You are a chosen generation (1Pet.2:9). We need to remain distinct from the world, by applying the word of God to our lives and circumstances, waiting for the coming back of our Messiah Jesus Christ.