Americus times-recorder., 1919-11-04
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 9
PETERS GREAT CONFESSION.

LESSON TEXT-Matt. l61s-24.
GOLDEN STEXT-Thou are the Christ
lhe Son of the living God.-Matt. 1916
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Mark S;27.
80, Luke 9:l8-26 John 666-69
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR TOPIC-What
Peter confessed,
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC what II
means to confess Christ.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Ths
Messiahship of Jesus.
Inc time has now come for the King
TO take account of his ministry.
This confession in some sense marks
the turning point in Christ's ministry
Hereafter 1t is more restricted to his
disciples. Two reasons are sufficient
why this should be wv, 1-12): 1)
The Pharisees and Sadducees show
their attitude towards him in their de-
mand for sign. His answer is that
none shall be given save that of his
death and resurrection, as symbolized
IN the experiences of the Prophet
Jonah. (2) The disciples show their
inability to understand the spiritual
nature Of his teaching. When he
warned them of the leaven of the
Pharisees and Sadducees they under
stood him to refer to bread, when he
meant their doctrine. 1t was at this
crisis when Christ turned from the
nation which had rejected him, that
Peter made this great confession. 1t
was made in the borders of Caesarea-
Philippi, practically GENTLE territory,
!. Peters Confession wv. 13-16).
Two questions of Christ provoked
this confession;
/. The question as to the opinion Of
the people concerning him.
They recognized him as a teacher or
a prophet of more than human author
ity and power Today, as then, there
is diversity of opinion among the
people as to Jesus Christ. Some think
he is only man; others, that he is a
great teacher, but nothing more. Had
he been content with this he would
not have been molested in Jerusalem,
for the Jews willingly acknowledged
him as more than a human teacher.
1t was his persistent claim to be the
Goldman, the Son of God, that sent
him to the cross
2. The second question involved the
personal opinion Of the disciples con-
cerning him. To be able to tell what
others think of Jesus is not enough ;
there must be definite, correct, and
personal belief In him.
H.. The New Body, the Church, An
nounced (vv. 1920.
Peter had made a noble confession
of Christ, so now Christ cOnfeSses him.
If we confess Christ he will confess us
(Matt. 10 :32, 33). Christ declared his
intention of bringing into existence a
new body to the members Of which he
will give eternal life, and to whose
hands he will entrust the keys of the
Kingdom. Peter was to have dis
tinguished place in this body. The
keys entrusted to him were used on
the day of Pentecost, and again in the
case of Cornelius. Association In this
new body cannot be broken by death,
for the gates of hades shall not prevail
against 1t. This body, the church, is of
a heavenly origin, heavenly calling,
and a heavenly inheritance.
III. The Cross the Way to the
Throne wv. 21-33).
This was, no doubt, startling to the
disciples. They did not realize that re-
demption was to be accomplished
through the passion of the cross. So
unwelcome was this announcement
that Peter cried, This shall not be
unto thee" Peter later saw through
this darkness to the glory on the hill
ton beyond. new hope then filled
his breast q Peter 1:3, A.. Victory
through death is yet the stumbling
block of many. Many are stumbling
over the doctrine of salvation and re-
demption through the suffering of the
cross. All such are Wnder the control
Of the devil ". 23). Salvation by
blood. the devil hates.
~. The Cost Of DiScipleship wv. "a
2O.
To follow Christ means suffering. Tt
follow him is to turn ones back upor
the world. Life can only be saved by
losing it. If we are going to be Chris
tians we must share Christs suffering
We cannot go to heaven on fowery
beds Of ease.
/. There must be denial Of self tv
24. There is wide difference be
tween self-denial and denial Of self
Self-denial is practiced everywhere by
all people, but only the disciples OF
Christ or Christian people deny self
Christ takes the place Of self.
2. Take up his cross" This cross
is the suffering and shame which liz
in the path Of loyalty to God To dc
our duty will mean suffering e Tim
3:12).
g, Follow Christ. This means tC
have the mind of Christ, to do like
Christ. All such shall be rewarded
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