It The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: Were given to Peter, (and to us), not because Peter was a Rock. (Matthew 16:16-19)

The Rock or Foundation of our Faith lies in Peters proclamation of who Jesus is. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

I have heard many teachings on these scriptures, and most of them have left me confused. I would like to share my opinion, I am not a scholar or an apologist, just a guy who reads the Word, and follows the Holy Spirits leading.

The Scriptures in question only appear in the book of Matthew the 16th chapter.

Jesus asks, ‘Peter who do you say I am?’ Verses 16-20

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.“

Binding and releasing, building His assembly, ( His church),
and the gates of hell will not destroy it. How’s that working for us? Most Churches are about 60 to 100 people a Sunday, and the people are Sunday morning Go to Meeting folks.

They love and profess the Lord, but do not give Him much more than an hour a week. Oh, some read devotionals and pray a bit, but most do not care to be more.

Like the Hebrews, let the Pastor talk to God, and he can tell us what to do. Sad.

The Lord wants to Fellowship in the garden or your upper room in the cool of the day. He desires a one on one relationship, we can be as close to God, as we allow God into our lives.

He healed all that were afflicted, taught and fed 5,000, had 12 close to Him, 3 even closer, but only one had his head on His breast.

That one was at the cross. Where were the rest? You know only one died a natural death.

We have the relationship we choose.

So, if He has given us ‘The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven’?

What are they, and where have they gone, it seems to me, we lost them? I believe we can find and use them mightily
once again for our God.

I will continue my study.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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https://wp.me/p4RZJT-b9a

A great post, a blog to follow.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote

I try to read at least one of the Psalms or Proverbs a day, as my devotional. Today It happened to be Psalm 12. Not much has changed since the time of David.

Psalm 12:1-8

“Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men. Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart. May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts, who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?” “Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says Yahweh; “I will set him in safety from those who malign him.” The words of Yahweh are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times. You will keep them, Yahweh. You will preserve them from this generation forever. The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.” For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

‘Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.’

It is as hard today, as it has always been, to be Holy, Sanctified, Faithfull and True. We have the same distractions and temptations, as everyman has. it has just made it into our private homes by way of the Internet and TV.

There are sin and evil in all but the best Christian content, and there isn’t enough Good Christian content to keep us entertained in our free time.

I know many have sworn off the TV and the Internet, but do most of us? I watch the original NCIS and Blue Bloods as my only appointment TV, and Netflix otherwise. There is still too much sin condoned and promoted to keep my mind renewed and faith increased.

It is easy to say, ‘It’s legal, so it must be ok to be full of what used to be, (and still is), SIN.

IT ISN’T!

We are called to be Holy, set apart, witnesses of God’s Grace, Mercy, and Love. We fail to read and meditate on the Word daily, to be diligent in the pursuit of Godliness, to pray and expect the Lord to act.

“The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.”

We must walk apart.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote

It tickles me, when I hear people complain about the successful ministries, while attending little churches, (all of, once a week).

They Truly believe they are Holy, Sanctified, Right with God, and those other Churches aren’t.

I have to ask, what does it take to be saved? Must we be the poor, the few, the beat down?

Is it possible to be rich and still love and serve the Lord? What makes us Saved?

To believe and confess, Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. You do not agree with the message of these ministries.

Do they not proclaim Jesus as Lord? We don’t think they are humble enough to be saved. They have too much.

Please, Job, and Abram were both very rich. One was just and perfect, the other was the Father of a Nation and a Friend of God.

The Disciples, were small business men or tax collector’s, neither of them was poor.

Do not despise the wealth and success of the man of God. The Lord would have us to prosper and be in good health as our soul prospers.

You do not need to be poor, (money-wise), but poor in Spirit. (Not believing that we are Holier or better than others).

Just my thoughts.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote

The walls of Jerusalem were finally rebuilt. Nehemiah set these men in charge.

Nehemiah 7: 1-3

“Now it happened, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, that I put my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, in charge of Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. I said to them, “Don’t let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house.”

Hananiah was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

Could this be said about me? I only wish. I am not faithful in prayer, or devotion, in giving, loving, mercy or grace. Do I fear God? Am I in awe?

Unfortunately, I tend to expect God to listen to me; (like He needs my advice or direction). Instead of faithfully listening to and obeying Him.

I like to think I am not alone, (in thinking if God would just do things my way), the work would be done.

I know this is ridiculous, if God listened to me, the world would be in an even bigger mess than it Is. BUT, the truth IS, if I was faithful in prayer and in seeking Him, I would be praying, instead of complaining, allowing the Lord to act by praying His will be done. (Not mine).

If we were truly Full of Faith and Faithful to His calling, if we were truly in Awe of a Righteous God, we would be living a life He could use to bless others.

We need to forget about ourselves, our desires, plans, hopes and dreams and focus on the Eternal. Who cares what color the rug is, or if we Baptise by sprinkle, pour or immerse.

The Christian Baptism is not about Repentance, we have done that, we are saved, it is about obedience to God and receiving the Holy Spirit.

They were commanded to wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, those who had been Baptised in John’s Baptism, we’re Baptised in obedience and received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit are the building materials He gave us, to build His Church.

I’ve not written anything for quite a while. I’ve not been very open to the Lord’s voice. His Word has been closed to my understanding,

I have been lazy, I wasn’t like Jacob, (Genesis 32:24,) I gave up the fight. I feel like Esau, wondering, ‘Is there no blessing for me?’ (Genisis 37:34)

I know better, I am just discouraged. I look behind me and see no one following. No signs, wonders or miracles. No voice saying walk this way. (Isaiah 30:21)

My hopes, dreams, and plans, are farther away than ever. I stay here because I haven’t been directed or released to go elsewhere.

Our Pastor reminds me that John Wesley wasn’t allowed to preach in the Church he was a member of good standing in.

I think to myself how much bigger than Anglican Church would be if they had embraced John’s followers, instead of driving them away.

That’s all for today. I will try to get back in the saddle, the Lord has a lot He wants us to understand.

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
bill theunfetteredpreacher cote