The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Matthew 16, Mark 8;11 – 9:1, Luke 9:18-27
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 2: Christ’s Ministry; God’s True King Manifests His Kingdom
Background Information: Matthew 16, Mark 8;11 – 9:1, Luke 9:18-27
Jesus gave Simon the nickname “Cephas,” an Aramaic word for rock. When he rightly proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord calls him “Peter,” a play on the Greek word for rock. Peter was correct in proclaiming Christ as the Son of the living God. He would preach the sermon that would launch the church. He would be instrumental in leading the early church. But he was not the rock on whom the church was built. That rock is Christ. It is his church, and he is the one who would build it, and he is the one upon whom it is built. No power, no government, and not even hell itself can stand against or bring down the church, the body of Christ. Just in case we are tempted to become too impressed with Peter, the next thing we know he is being rebuked by the Lord Jesus in the harshest of terms. Years later, after the resurrection of Jesus, after Peter had become a seasoned leader, and after he should have known better, he took the wrong side on a key theological issue. Paul had to rebuke him publicly (Galatians 2:11). Peter was a great man, was used mightily by God, lived sacrificially for the good of others, and laid down his life for the gospel. But Peter was still just a man. His story is a messy one. One minute he is bold, the next a Christ-denying coward. One minute he is making a powerful confession of faith, the next minute he is being told “get behind me Satan.” His story is messy, but his overall life trajectory was one of faith and faithfulness. The final word on his life was “well done, good and faithful servant.” All of our stories are messy. Yet all who follow Christ, all who have yielded their lives to Jesus as Lord, could be given the name “rock.” Not because we are solid, but because we have built our lives on the only solid foundation.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for the River Youth as they go to their fall retreat today. Ask God to encourage them in the faith and pray that they would grow in friendships with one another.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.