April 21st, 2026
Good Morning “Living Stone’s.” Today we are in Matthew 16.
Give us a sign. As if healing the lame, the blind, casting out demons, walking on water are not enough - they want a sign? A wicked generation cannot see The Truth right in front of their eyes. We’ve seen miracles. We ourselves, like all life, are miracles from His hand. He has revealed Himself to us ALL universally - through creation, so that we are without excuse (Romans 1:20). Maybe they’ll believe once Jesus conquers death and walks out of the grave (sign of Jonah)?
Oh man… we forgot to bring something to eat! Mark 8 records the Disciples fear in a bit more detail. Seems like a valid concern. They set out across the water and brought very little to eat. Why does Jesus rebuke their fear (vs 8-11)?
It’s easy to get off track when we believe false teaching that spreads like yeast.
Who do you say I am, Jesus asks? (Vs 15) This is an important question ALL must answer.
“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:16 NIV
“…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 16:17-18 NIV
This exchange is the topic of much controversy. One thing is sure… Jesus is not saying, “On you Peter - I will build my church.”
Some argue Jesus was referring to Himself and Peter was simply a “rock” (The name Peter means rock). Peter himself taught that we are just living stones… he did not believe himself to be the “rock” of the Church. In fact Jesus is the “Cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:4-7)
Others argue that what Jesus was referring to, in Peter, was His faith! The Church is made up of those who “Believe”, collectively we are the Temple of The Living God who dwells in us - individually (2 Corinthians 6:16), and corporately making up The Church (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Both arguments include True statements. Which was Jesus referring to? Or neither? Don’t get so caught up in the arguments you miss the application! Who is He? That part you must settle!
Jesus then moves to begin explaining to them what is going to happen to Him. When He refers to His arrest, beating, and crucifixion, Peter responds “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” Matthew 16:22 NIV.
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23 NIV
Peter wasn’t thinking Big Picture! Peter, like us, was primarily concerned with immediate circumstances and comfort. Peter was looking at Jesus death’ much like we look at death ourselves. But truly “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, according to Paul in Philippians 1:21. Read on in Matthew 16 to see why Jesus responds so harshly.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 NIV
Humbling ourselves, denying what we (our flesh) want, and living in obedience to Jesus is what He asks of us (Romans 12:1; John 14:15). Living with a heavenly perspective, the big picture - is our goal! We should be more concerned about Glorifying Him, each day; and our FOREVER, where and how we will spend it, than we are our temporary comfort here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
Good Morning “Living Stone’s.” Today we are in Matthew 16.
Give us a sign. As if healing the lame, the blind, casting out demons, walking on water are not enough - they want a sign? A wicked generation cannot see The Truth right in front of their eyes. We’ve seen miracles. We ourselves, like all life, are miracles from His hand. He has revealed Himself to us ALL universally - through creation, so that we are without excuse (Romans 1:20). Maybe they’ll believe once Jesus conquers death and walks out of the grave (sign of Jonah)?
Oh man… we forgot to bring something to eat! Mark 8 records the Disciples fear in a bit more detail. Seems like a valid concern. They set out across the water and brought very little to eat. Why does Jesus rebuke their fear (vs 8-11)?
It’s easy to get off track when we believe false teaching that spreads like yeast.
Who do you say I am, Jesus asks? (Vs 15) This is an important question ALL must answer.
“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:16 NIV
“…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 16:17-18 NIV
This exchange is the topic of much controversy. One thing is sure… Jesus is not saying, “On you Peter - I will build my church.”
Some argue Jesus was referring to Himself and Peter was simply a “rock” (The name Peter means rock). Peter himself taught that we are just living stones… he did not believe himself to be the “rock” of the Church. In fact Jesus is the “Cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:4-7)
Others argue that what Jesus was referring to, in Peter, was His faith! The Church is made up of those who “Believe”, collectively we are the Temple of The Living God who dwells in us - individually (2 Corinthians 6:16), and corporately making up The Church (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Both arguments include True statements. Which was Jesus referring to? Or neither? Don’t get so caught up in the arguments you miss the application! Who is He? That part you must settle!
Jesus then moves to begin explaining to them what is going to happen to Him. When He refers to His arrest, beating, and crucifixion, Peter responds “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” Matthew 16:22 NIV.
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23 NIV
Peter wasn’t thinking Big Picture! Peter, like us, was primarily concerned with immediate circumstances and comfort. Peter was looking at Jesus death’ much like we look at death ourselves. But truly “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, according to Paul in Philippians 1:21. Read on in Matthew 16 to see why Jesus responds so harshly.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 NIV
Humbling ourselves, denying what we (our flesh) want, and living in obedience to Jesus is what He asks of us (Romans 12:1; John 14:15). Living with a heavenly perspective, the big picture - is our goal! We should be more concerned about Glorifying Him, each day; and our FOREVER, where and how we will spend it, than we are our temporary comfort here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
Matthew 16
Show us a sign! As if He hasn’t shown them enough all ready. The religious leaders want proof He’s God! You can see the weather moving in and no it’s gonna storm, but you can’t see what’s happening with the world around you! Wicked look for a sign. The sign of Jonah will be all you get. Basically that’s what Jesus tells them. Any guesses what He means by the sign of Jonah?
Oh man… we forgot to bring something to eat! Mark 8 records the Disciples fear in a bit more detail. Seems like a valid concern. The set out across the water and brought very little to eat. Why does Jesus rebuke their fear?
Who do you say I am, Jesus asks?
“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:16 NIV Jesus goes on to tell Peter that through him, on him He is going to build His church! He continues explaining in more detail!
Jesus then moves to begin explaining to them what is going to happen to Him. When He refers to His arrest, beating, and crucifixion, Peter responds “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” Matthew 16:22 NIV.
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.””
Matthew 16:23 NIV
Peter wasn’t thinking Big Picture! Peter was thinking immediate circumstances and comfort. Peter was looking at Jesus death’ much like we look at death ourselves. But truly “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, according to Paul in Phil 1:21. Read on in Matthew 16 to see why Jesus responds so harshly.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24 NIV
Humbling ourselves, denying what we (our flesh) wants and living in obedience to Jesus is what He asks of us. Living with a heavenly perspective - big picture! We should be more concerned about FOREVER - where and how we will spend it than we are our temporary time here in earth.
Oh man… we forgot to bring something to eat! Mark 8 records the Disciples fear in a bit more detail. Seems like a valid concern. The set out across the water and brought very little to eat. Why does Jesus rebuke their fear?
Who do you say I am, Jesus asks?
“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:16 NIV Jesus goes on to tell Peter that through him, on him He is going to build His church! He continues explaining in more detail!
Jesus then moves to begin explaining to them what is going to happen to Him. When He refers to His arrest, beating, and crucifixion, Peter responds “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”” Matthew 16:22 NIV.
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.””
Matthew 16:23 NIV
Peter wasn’t thinking Big Picture! Peter was thinking immediate circumstances and comfort. Peter was looking at Jesus death’ much like we look at death ourselves. But truly “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”, according to Paul in Phil 1:21. Read on in Matthew 16 to see why Jesus responds so harshly.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24 NIV
Humbling ourselves, denying what we (our flesh) wants and living in obedience to Jesus is what He asks of us. Living with a heavenly perspective - big picture! We should be more concerned about FOREVER - where and how we will spend it than we are our temporary time here in earth.