Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-11-06

LESSON TEXT-Matt. 16:13-4.
GOLDEN TExT-Thou are the Christ.
the Son OF the living God.-Matt. 1916.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Mark SCI
50; Luke 9:1S-26; John 6:66-69.
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR TOPIC-What
Peter confessed.
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC = w h at 1t
means to confess Christ.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-The
Messahship Of Jesus.
The time has now come for the King
to take account of his ministry
This confession in some sense marks
the turning point in Chhst's ministry.
Hereafter it is more restricted to his
disciples. Two reasons are sufficient
why this should be wv. 1-12): %
The Pharisees and Sadducees show
their attitude towards him in their de-
nand for q 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
ffarisees and Sadducees they under
stood him to refer to bread, when he
ne; 1T their doctrine. 1t was at this
cris,i. when Christ turned from the
naiion which had rejected him, that
Peter made this great confession. II
NaS made in the borders of Caesarea-
I3hilippi practically Gentle territory.
|. Peters Confession wv. 1910.
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
prophet of more than human author
lty and power. Today, as then, there
is II diversity Of opinion among the
people as to Jesus Christ Some think
he is only man: others, that he Is
great teacher. but rothing more. Had
he been con emf with this he would
not have been molesied in Jerusalem,
fT he Jews willingly acknowledged
him as more than ii human teacher.
It was his persistent claim to be the
Goldman, the Son of God, that sent
him TO the cross
. The second question involved the
personal opinion of the disciples con
corning him 10 be able 20 tell what
others think Of Jesus is not enough;
here must be definite. correct. and
personal belief in him.
II. The New Bo7'y. the Church, An
i nounced wv. 17-20).
Peer had made a noble confession
of arist 50 now Christ confesse> him.
If we confess Christ he will confess MS
(AIat 10 80, 80. Christ declared lis
intention of bringing into existence Il
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 a dis
tin@ush place in this body Til"
keys entrusted to him were used on
he day of Pentecost. and again in the
case of Cornelius. Association in this
! new body cannot he broken by death.
for the gates of hades shall not prevail
against it. This body, the church is Of
heavenly origin heavenly calling
and heavenly inheritance.
III. The Gross the Way to the
Throne wv 21-33)
This was, no doubt. startling TO the
disciples. They did not realize that re-
dempti0n 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 thronrh
This darkness to the glory on the hill
top Beyond A new hope then tilipd
his breast Il Peter | =. ~. Victory
through death is vet the stumbling
liock of many MAIV are stumbling
over the doctrine of salvation and re-
dempion through the suffering Of he
cross. All such are under the control
If The devil ". 2:0. Salvation by
blood. the devil hates.
~. The Cost of DiscipIeship wv. d
27).
To follow Christ means suffering. To
follow him is to turn ones back upon
the world. Life can only be saved by
losing i. If we are going to be Chris.
, tians we must share Chr'Sfs suffering.
re cannot 90 to heaven on howery
eds of ease.
|. There must be denial of self ".
24) There is wide difference be-
: tween sclf-denial and denial of self
i Self-denia is practiced everywhere by
: Al people. but only the disciples OF
Christ or Christian people deny self
Christ takes the place Of self.
9 Take up his cross This cross
is the suffering and shame which lie
in the path of loyalty to God. To do
our duty will mean suffering e Tim
3:12).
3. Follow Christ This means IL
have the mind of Christ, to do like
. Christ. All such shall be rewarded