The Glenwood post., 1924-11-13
Lesson for November 16
PETERS CONFESSION

LESSON TExT-Matthew 16:l3-3l.
GOLDEN TEXT-Thou art the Christ,
the Son of the living God.-Matt. 1915.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Peter Speaks Out
JUNIOR ToP1c-Pet.r Taken HI,
| Stand.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Duties and Glory of Confess-
ing Christ.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Does 1t Matter What One Believes
Concerning Christ?
This confession in some sense marks
the turning point in Christ's ministry.
Hereafter 1t Is more restricted to His
disciples. Two reasons why this should
be sufficient are (vv. 1-12): ~ The
Pharisees and Sadducees show their at
titude toward Him in their demand for
sign, His answer is that none shall
be given save that of His death and
resurrection, as symbolized In the ex-
periences 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 Sad
ducees they understood Him to refer
| to bread, when He meant their doc
trine. 1t was at this crisis when Christ
turned from the nation " hich had re-
jected Him that Peter made this great
| confession. 1t was made in the bor-
ders of Caesarea-Philippi, practically
Gentle territory.
I. Occasion OF wv. 1870.
Two questions Of Christ provoked
this confession:
1. The question as to the opinion of
people concerning Him.
They recognized Him as teacher
or prophet of more than human au-
thority and power. Today, as then,
there is a diversity of opinion among
the people as to Jesus Christ. Some
think He is only man; others TINT
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 ac-
knowledged Him as more than a hu-
man 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-
corning Him. To be able to tell what
others think Of Jesus is not enough !;
there must be definite. correct and
personal belief on Him.
u. The New Body. the Church. An
nouneed wv. 1920.
Peter had made a noble confession
Of Christ. 10 now Christ confesses him.
II we confess Christ He will confess
Us (Matt. 0:82, 38). 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 distin-
guished 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 heavenly origin. n heavenly call.
ing md heavenly inheritance.
| III. The Gross the Way to tn.
Throne wv. 21-33).
This was, no doubt, startling to the
disciples. They did not realize tina,
redemption was to be accomplished
through the passion Of the cross. Sc
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
top beyond. A new hope then filled his
breast Il Pet. :3. ~. Victory through
death Is yet the stumbling block OF
many. Many are stumbling over the
doctrine Of salvation and redemption
through the suffering Of the cross.
~. Tho Cost Of DIseIpisshlp wv
24-2D.
To follow Christ means suffering. To
follow Him Is to turn ones back upon
the world. Life can only be saved by
losing It, II we are going to be Chris
tians we must share Christ's suffering
We cannot go to heaven on flowery
beds of ease.
1. There must be denial of self w.
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 IL
the suffering and shame which lie in
the path of loyalty to God. To do our
duty will mean suffering III Tim
3;12).
3. Follow Christ. This means to
have the mind Of Christ, to do like
Christ. All such shall be rewarded
| when Christ comes in glory.