Sunday 1st Service Worship
Title/Scripture: The Three Blessings Given from Heaven (Matthew 16:13-20)
Speaker: Rev. Ryu Gwang-su
Date/Location: March 27, 2022, Immanuel Church (Busan)
Matthew 16:13-20
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Summary
History occurs even when you simply hold God’s word in your heart and mind. This is because, through the brain, it becomes engraved in the soul and connected to what is eternal. This alone can heal you, make you strong, and change the world.
▣ Introduction
1. You must experience the Christ who ended the three curses.
1) The prophecy of Scripture
(1) Matthew 24 – the temple in Jerusalem will collapse, war, famine, earthquakes, hatred, the abomination of desolation will occupy the holy place, the deception of false prophets, the sun and moon and stars will be darkened
(2) Matthew 25 – many in the church will rise up holding lamps without oil, those who work for the gospel and the Lord will disappear, goats will also come in and make things difficult
(3) 2 Timothy 3 – a time of suffering will come because people do not love God and do not know Him
(4) Revelation 12:1-9, Revelation 1:3 – confusion, spiritual problems, disease, and every kind of disaster will cover the earth. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.”
2) The reason why even religious life and church life remain difficult (Matthew 12:43-45) – “The unclean spirit that left the place where the heart was emptied and made clean will bring seven more spirits and enter in.”
3) The real reason – Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disasters keep coming.
4) You must experience the Christ who ended the three curses.
(1) Only Christ removes Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disasters.
(2) The result of not having this experience – the Jews who kept failing. The world church fighting over position and closing its doors.
2. What happens to one who experiences Christ
1) Joseph, who held onto the covenant of Genesis 3:15 and dreamed a dream
2) Moses, who understood the blood covenant and entered the palace
3) David, who understood the preparation of the temple where the ark and true worship would be offered
3. Why you must experience Christ
1) “Whom do men say that I am?” (v.13) – everyone gave the wrong answer (v.14)
2) “Whom say ye that I am?” (v.15) – “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.16)
(1) “Thou art the protagonist of Genesis 3:15 and the Son of the living God.”
(2) “Just as we were freed on the day of the Passover blood sacrifice when we were slaves in Egypt, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
(3) “Thou art the Christ who has broken Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disaster.”
3) “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (v.17) – no matter how much Peter was shaken afterward, he survived. From the moment he discovered Christ, answered prayer came, evangelism became easy, and everything changed.
4) The one and only thing Jesus spoke of throughout His public ministry – the kingdom of God
(1) Matthew 5:3, 10 “Such are blessed. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(2) Matthew 6:8, 10 “God knows your needs. Pray that the kingdom of God would come.”
(3) Matthew 6:31-33 “Do not worry. Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
(4) Matthew 12:28-29 “When Satan who tears down your household is bound and the Holy Spirit comes, the kingdom of God has come.”
(5) Acts 1:3 for 40 days He spoke of “the kingdom of God and the things pertaining thereto.”
▷ Not having this experience means it has not been engraved, and it has not become yours. The moment you are engraved by Christ, the darkness is utterly broken down.
▣ Main_ On the day you experience Christ, an invisible upheaval (a re-creation of the world) takes place.
1. The moment you experience Christ, the kingdom of darkness collapses and the kingdom of God begins. – “he came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi” (v.13)
1) Caesarea – see what becomes of Caesar and Rome.
2) Philippi – see what becomes of King Philip’s persecution and future.
3) The question asked before the great temple and idols – what has become of Rome now?
▷ Believers can access this through prayer.
2. The moment you experience Christ, three new blessings begin. The kingdom of God is realized (vv.14-19).
▷ Everyone gave a wrong confession (v.14), and Satan and the darkness are not afraid. Disaster is already prepared. Then came the confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16). This is knowledge that came down from heaven, and it was God who made it known (v.17). And He gave three blessings.
1) “Thou art the rock. Upon this rock I will build my church.” – I will build you upon that rock which never moves.
2) “The gates of hell shall never prevail against thee.”
3) “I give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
3. The moment you experience Christ, the true future kingdom is prepared. – “Tell no man that he was the Christ.” (v.20)
1) There will be the experience of the mount of transfiguration.
2) There will be the victory of Calvary.
3) A message that will change the world forever will be given at the Mount of Olives.
4) The kingdom of God that saves the world will come upon the upper room of Mark.
▷ Even the smallest experience brings life alive, like a mustard seed or leaven.
▣ Conclusion_ God works when you make a decision.
1. Joseph – “I do not mind going to Egypt as a slave. God has sent me. I will build the kingdom of God here.”
2. Those who held the covenant in the time of Moses – “Stand still and see the work that God does.”
3. David – “I have a reason to fight Goliath.” He struck down Goliath in a single blow.
4. Elisha – he burned all his farming tools and followed Elijah, who was a wanted man.
5. Heroes of faith in Babylon
1) The three friends – knowing it was a spiritual matter, they said they could not bow down even if it meant going into the fire and dying. They said even if the Lord did not save them, they still could not bow.
2) Daniel – “even though he knew the decree had been signed with the royal seal,” he continued the same action that would lead to his death.
3) Esther – when trouble came she said, “I was placed here for such a time as this.”
6. Paul – he gave thanks for persecution and grieved over Israel’s failure to understand. The darkness of the whole world was brought down.
▷ When you experience Christ, an event of world-shaking upheaval occurs. Only then can you save a world that is rapidly dying. Spiritual problems are spreading across the entire world, transcending time and space. You already carry the blessing that can save others.
Transcript
History occurs even when you simply hold God’s word in your heart and mind. This is because it becomes engraved in the soul through our brain. And it connects to what is eternal. This alone can heal you, strengthen you, and change the world. You must have a lot of worry and difficulty because of COVID.
▣ Introduction
1. You must experience the Christ who ended the three curses.
What matters more is not that. It’s that after COVID, something else keeps coming.
1) The prophecy of Scripture
Scripture is prophesying.
(1) Matthew 24
“This temple in Jerusalem will be torn down.” It still has not been restored. “Deception will arise everywhere. Wars between nations and between peoples will intensify.” This is what Jesus said. “Famine and earthquakes will occur across the whole world. You who hold the gospel will be hated. People hating one another will occur across the whole world. The abomination of desolation will occupy the holy place and stand there.” This is what Jesus said. “False prophets will rise up and deceive, acting as though they have power. The sun and moon and stars will be darkened.”
(2) Matthew 25
In the church, many will rise up holding lamps without oil. A time will come when those who work for the gospel and for the Lord will disappear. They will bury their talent in the ground. In the church there will not only be sheep but also goats coming in to make things difficult.” This is what Jesus said.
(3) 2 Timothy 3
In 2 Timothy 3 it says, “In the last days, because people do not love God, because they do not know Him, a time of suffering will come.”
(4) Revelation 12:1-9, Revelation 1:3
Revelation speaks even more severely. “The whole world will fall into confusion. Spiritual problems, disease, and every kind of disaster will cover it.” This is promised in Scripture. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear and keep the words of this prophecy.”
2) The reason why even religious life and church life remain difficult (Matthew 12:43-45)
About ten years from now, do you know what the bigger problem will be, bigger than COVID? Almost 90 percent will be spiritual illnesses of every kind — mental issues, heart problems, depression, major illness. Even now depression alone is very common. That’s why so many people diligently engage in religious life. Because it’s hard. They diligently attend church. But why doesn’t it work? They diligently engage in religion, diligently engage in church life, so why doesn’t it work? Jesus told us. It’s because you don’t know one thing. “Even if you empty your heart, make it clean, and sweep it, this evil spirit will still enter into you seven times over.” Even though they worked hard at it. “That spirit that left will bring seven more spirits and keep coming back in.” It’s a hard saying. But it’s something you must not fail to know. Jesus said it. He said that without knowing this, you can never build a house.
3) The real reason
What is the reason? Even now, no scientist, no intellectual, no politician knows it, but Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disaster keep coming. No matter how excellent you are, it comes. No matter how godly you are, it comes. No matter how hard you try, it comes.
4) You must experience the Christ who ended the three curses.
That is why God made this promise. These three curses —
(1) Only Christ removes Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disaster.
Only Christ removes Satan, the backdrop of hell, curses, and this disaster. You must experience this part. You only need to do it once. You all attend church without this experience. “Oh I see, so Christ finished it.” You must have the experience.
(2) The result of not having this experience
The one who’s saved is actually more of a problem, isn’t it? Without this experience, what happens? The Jews kept failing, didn’t they? The Jews are God’s people. As a prime example, they kept failing. Instead, when persecution came and said, “Believe in Jesus and you die,” that’s when they believed well.
Do you know when the problem started? Rome, which was conquering the world, said, “Now we must all believe in Jesus.” Impressive, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you think it was impressive too, seeing that? Now the emperor confessed. “My Lord, my Savior, is Jesus Christ.” Amazing, isn’t it? Because of this, the whole world came to believe in Jesus. Finally the king had to attend worship. The king even had to attend communion. What happens then? The church now has powerful people coming, so where should they sit? A fight over seats began. Who comes to church? Depending on this, all political winds began to shift. Then, in order not to displease politicians, the wealthy began lining up. Because they had to make a living, many commoners began lining up too. This was the beginning of ruin. Right now the world church is closing its doors. You must realize this quickly.
2. What happens to one who experiences Christ
What happens to one who experiences Christ? That’s why Jesus asked. What happens to one who experiences Christ? Just look at the Old Testament.
1) Joseph, who held onto the covenant of Genesis 3:15 and dreamed a dream
What happened to Joseph, who held onto the covenant of Genesis 3:15 and dreamed a dream? Several hundred years passed and it was forgotten again.
2) Moses, who understood the blood covenant and entered the palace
What happened through Moses, who understood the blood covenant and entered the palace? The gospel disappeared, and because they did not know this enormous secret, because they had no experience, they simply attended church. Because of this the ark of the covenant was taken away. The ark has only now finally returned.
3) David, who understood the preparation of the temple where the ark and true worship would be offered
“Prepare a temple where true worship will be offered together with this ark.” David understood this fact. What happened? You have nothing to worry about. You must know what to hold onto. Disaster keeps coming upon this earth. You must know why it comes. Many excellent people only know the results of their efforts and success, so they only know the enjoyment of it, but they don’t know why spiritual problems come. When Jesus spoke, the excellent Pharisees and religious leaders mocked Him, didn’t they? They said, “Nail that person to the cross and kill him.”
And later the people too said, “Crucify him.” When the governor called Pilate tried to crucify Jesus, there was no crime worthy of the death penalty, worthy of crucifixion. But then all the people, the Jews, rose up and shouted with full force, “Crucify Christ.” You see, this is what happens when you don’t know spiritual things. They don’t even know why they should be shouting. They just shout. Because others are shouting. Isn’t the world church like this today? When someone says something, everyone just moves and follows along. They don’t even know what is happening or coming upon them.
But what Jesus said came true exactly as He said. First the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. It still has not been restored to this day. Two thousand years have passed and it will never be restored. Jesus said it could not be. God’s word said it could not be.
3. Why you must experience Christ
You all, this experiencing of Christ is no ordinary matter. You must know what kind of thing this is. You must know the reason.
1) “Whom do men say that I am?” (v.13)
That’s why Jesus asked. “Whom do men say that I am?” No one could give the right answer. But all the people who had been healed by Jesus and had eaten at His table gave the wrong answer. Isn’t that right? Everyone answered wrongly. The disciples picked up those words and reported them.
2) “Whom say ye that I am?” (v.15)
He asked, “Whom say ye that I am?” The disciples couldn’t answer. Then Peter spoke up. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This was no ordinary statement. It was something even the Jews could not understand. How could uneducated Peter say this?
(1) “Thou art the protagonist of Genesis 3:15 and the Son of the living God.”
“Thou art the Lord of Genesis chapter 3 verse 15, its protagonist, and the Son of the living God.” This is what he was saying.
(2) “Just as we were freed on the day of the Passover blood sacrifice when we were slaves in Egypt, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Just as we were freed on the day the Passover blood sacrifice was offered while we were slaves in Egypt, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” There is absolutely no defeating this.
(3) “Thou art the Christ who has broken Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disaster.”
“Thou art the Christ who has broken Satan, the backdrop of hell, and disaster.” Jesus was astonished. It wasn’t like saying, “Hey, how did you know that?” It wasn’t like saying, “Wow, you’re amazing, how did you figure that out?” It wasn’t like saying, “So it turns out you’re quite intelligent.”
3) “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (v.17)
What did He say? “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona.” He said this. “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.” He said this. “But my Father which is in heaven.” He said something tremendous. And afterward, no matter how much Peter was shaken, he survived. Isn’t that right?
This time and this question that Christ asked is very important. This is the part that must be interpreted in today’s text. I truly have nothing to boast about, and no desire to boast. But I have attended church since I was a child. Even now, I still observe the spiritual condition of many believers. I knew from childhood that it was absolutely not this way.
One day I discovered Christ. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” From that point on, answered prayer actually came. From that point evangelism became easy. From that point everything changed. In the past I lived like a person who was, how shall I put it, nothing at all. Simply put, like a beggar of sorts. Once I knew the gospel, everything about me changed. What you and I will receive going forward is a different kind of answer. Don’t be deceived. Sometimes, when you see people spiritually deficient, they say things like, “Well, the church being like this…” I say to myself, “You take care of yourself first.” It’s always like that. When you look at the children of a household that is failing, they say, “This household,” referring to their own home. Isn’t that right? They should say “our household,” but instead saying “this household” is like someone who has already run off. That’s the person who has failed. Isn’t that right? People who are bound to fail always say this. They say, “This church.” Looking at God’s church and saying “this church” — that’s all just spoken out of spiritual blindness.
4) The one and only thing Jesus spoke of throughout His public ministry – the kingdom of God
There is only one thing Jesus spoke of throughout His public ministry. What is it? He did not speak of complicated things. He spoke of only one simple thing. What is it? What was the very first thing He said?
(1) Matthew 5:3, 10
He took them up the mountain and said, “Such and such are blessed. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Isn’t that right?
(2) Matthew 6:8, 10
While teaching them to pray, what did He say? “Pray that the kingdom of God would come.” That’s Matthew 6:10, but do you know what it says in verse 8? “Even if you don’t pray, God knows everything. He knows what you need. Pray, ‘Thy kingdom come.'” He emphasized it once more.
(3) Matthew 6:31-33
At the very end He said, “I know everything you’re praying about. Do not worry. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” He said this. “And all these things will be added unto you.” So the problem arises when you keep doing something else entirely instead of the one thing Jesus taught.
(4) Matthew 12:28-29
Not having had this experience means it has not been engraved. It means it hasn’t become yours. Why does a person who is perfectly fine keep going to gamble? Because it’s been engraved into him. Why does a person keep going to use drugs even knowing that using them means death? Because it’s been engraved. The moment you are engraved with Christ, the darkness is completely broken down. Jesus said this. “When Satan, who tears down your household, is bound, and the Holy Spirit comes, the kingdom of God has come.” Isn’t that right? That was the only thing Jesus spoke of.
(5) Acts 1:3
At the very last, gathering them on the platform, He spoke for 40 days. About the kingdom of God and the things pertaining to it. Isn’t that right? You must know this. If you live like an unbeliever, you can only end up like an unbeliever.
▣ Main_ On the day you experience Christ, an invisible upheaval (a re-creation of the world) takes place.
You must remember three things today. On the day you experience Christ, an invisible upheaval takes place. The word “upheaval” simply means, in English, the world being re-created. Isn’t that right?
1. The moment you experience Christ, the darkness is bound. The kingdom of God has begun. – “he came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi” (v.13)
First. From the moment you experience Christ, the darkness begins to be bound. Seeing that is how the kingdom of God begins. You must absolutely receive this answer. What about everything else? That comes afterward. A child who hasn’t studied shouldn’t keep asking to be made successful. If you study properly, success will come on its own.
What does this mean? When you experience Christ and the kingdom of God begins, what is the first thing it means? It means the kingdom of darkness collapses. This is the first thing. This is the blessing you will receive.
1) Caesarea – see what becomes of Caesar and Rome.
Verse 13. Look at the evidence. “He came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi” — this was not a place they went often. Jesus deliberately took them there. It was the very town made by Caesar, the emperor who was persecuting Israel. It means: see in the future what becomes of Caesar and Rome. Isn’t that right?
2) Philippi – see what becomes of King Philip’s persecution and future.
Herod obtained that land by flattering that man. Herod’s son’s name was Philip. Together it’s Caesarea Philippi. It means: see what becomes of King Philip’s persecution and future. That’s what was being discussed there.
3) The question asked before the great temple and idols – what has become of Rome now?
There was also a famous great temple called the temple of Augustus. On one side was a statue of Zeus. It was in front of that place that He asked the question. What happened? What has become of Rome now? Jesus asked this right in front of it.
You all, the moment you truly know and experience Christ, the kingdom of darkness begins to collapse. That is why Jesus kept speaking of the kingdom. You must hold onto this and go forward. This is possible even now through prayer. Isn’t that right? Nothing difficult about it. It is possible through prayer, for the one who believes.
2. The moment you experience Christ, three new blessings begin. The kingdom of God is realized (vv.14-19).
Second. The moment you rightly know, confess, and experience Christ, three new blessings begin for you. The kingdom of God actually begins. It is realized.
At verse 14, everyone gave the wrong confession. That is when Peter’s confession came out. They all gave the wrong confession, didn’t they? Satan is not afraid. Darkness is not afraid. Disaster is prepared. The more success comes, the more difficulty comes. Isn’t that right? Because they kept giving the wrong confession. No matter how excellent a person is, if they keep speaking wrongly, they are wrong.
Then he said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That’s tremendous. What answer came at this moment? This is knowledge that came down from heaven. “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona. This was not revealed to you by flesh and blood. My Father which is in heaven has made it known to you.” It’s not something you know just because you have a hundred doctoral degrees. It’s not something you know just because you’re the emperor of Rome. That’s why Rome only ever wages war until it dies. That’s what this means. This is what God makes known to you.
And then He spoke of three blessings.
1) “Upon this rock I will build my church.”
“Thou art the rock.” A rock does not simply mean a stone. Not a boulder. It means something that never moves. “Upon this rock I will build my church.” This does not only mean a church building. It means: I will build you upon that rock.
2) “The gates of hell shall never prevail against thee.”
The second true blessing He spoke of. He spoke of the coming of the kingdom of God. What is it? “The gates of hell shall never prevail against thee.”
3) “I give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
And what else did He do? “I give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” He is giving a key, a key. You need a key to open and enter, don’t you? He was speaking of receiving these three blessings. Simply put, it is the coming of the kingdom of God. You must remember this.
3. The moment you experience Christ, the true future kingdom is prepared. – “Tell no man that he was the Christ.” (v.20)
Third. From the moment you experience this Christ, the truly genuine future kingdom is prepared. That’s verse 20.
What does verse 20 say? “Tell no man that he was the Christ.” Isn’t that what it says? Shouldn’t He have told everyone instead? But He said, “Tell no man.”
1) There will be the experience of the mount of transfiguration.
What this means is that ahead lies the experience of the mount of transfiguration. There will be a true future kingdom.
2) There will be the victory of Calvary.
Because the moment you experience Christ the darkness collapses, what does that mean? There will be the victory of Calvary. Don’t speak of it yet, that’s what He meant. It’s saying it’s not even at that level yet.
3) A message that will change the world forever will be given at the Mount of Olives.
There will truly be a message given at the Mount of Olives that changes the world forever.
4) The kingdom of God that saves the world will come upon the upper room of Mark.
Finally, what is it? The kingdom of God that saves the world will come upon the upper room of Mark. This is what it means to experience Christ.
You all, even if you experience just a little, life truly comes alive as life. If it’s real, no matter how small, it comes alive. Jesus said this. Look at the mustard seed. Look at the leaven. Can’t see it, can you? That’s not the point.
▣ Conclusion_ God works when you make a decision.
Today you must make a decision. You should always make it, but do you know when God works? When you decide.
1. Joseph
When Joseph held onto this covenant of the kingdom of God and went to Egypt, he made a decision during his time living in Egypt. What was it? “I do not mind going to Egypt as a slave.” Isn’t that right? In the end he confessed, “God sent me here.” When you say this, you win.
You all, when hardship comes, it’s not, “God, why are you making things hard for me?” Instead: “I don’t mind even if this hardship comes. I will build the kingdom of God right here.” That is when all the darkness collapses. Isn’t that right?
2. Those who held the covenant in the time of Moses
Look at the people who came out of Egypt during the time of Moses. How did they speak? “We can’t go. Now that we’re out in the wilderness, let’s go back.” They said things like this. “We chose the wrong leader. Let’s go back to Egypt even now. There’s plenty to eat there.” This is what they kept saying.
How should they have confessed instead? “Even if we march into the wilderness and face every sword and spear of the enemy armies, let us send our descendants into the land of Canaan.” That’s how they should have spoken.
But there were those who held an even greater covenant than this. A few of them appeared. “Stand still and see the work that God is doing.” And so it was that the Israelite people, who came out on the day the Passover blood was applied, crossed the Red Sea and made it across. Whenever you all make this decision of faith and whoever among you who has experienced Christ makes a decision, history happens.
3. David
Everyone had surrendered before Goliath. A hundred percent. There was one man. “I have a reason to fight Goliath,” he said. No one could stop him. His brothers even cursed him, calling him arrogant. Not just arrogant, but calling him an arrogant and wicked man. Looking at David. Why was that? David said it — that he had a reason. He went at once and struck him down. You all must hold firmly onto the covenant.
4. Elisha
Look at Elisha. Following Elijah, who was a wanted man, was equivalent to death. And yet Elisha burned all his belongings, his farming tools, and followed him.
5. Heroes of faith in Babylon
Who brought about history in Babylon?
1) The three friends
“O king, we cannot bow down even if it means going into the fire and dying.” Why? Because they understood it was a spiritual matter. “The Lord will save us.” But what they said next made it even more astonishing. What did they add? “But even if the Lord does not save us, we still cannot do it.” At this the king went mad. He was so furious he ordered the fire made seven times hotter. You must understand that this is where Satan goes mad and dies. Hold firmly to the covenant. Everyone in Babylon acted this way.
2) Daniel
Daniel, “even though he knew the decree had been signed” — what this means is that Daniel knew he would be caught by the law and would die, and yet he continued doing the very thing that would lead to his death. You know who won, don’t you?
3) Esther
Look at Esther. “I was placed here for such a time as this.” When hardship arises in your church, on your ground, know: I was placed here for such a time as this. I don’t mind even if I die. The darkness of the entire world was brought down.
6. Paul
Paul did not suffer because of persecution. Isn’t that right? Paul was deeply thankful for persecution. He was always heartbroken over Israel’s failure to understand, but he was never once heartbroken over his own suffering. He brought down the darkness of the entire world. Isn’t that right?
This today is no ordinary covenant. “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This important, world-shaking history will happen to you. Why must this be so? So that you can save a world that is now rapidly dying. The spread of spiritual problems cannot even be compared to COVID. It is spreading across the whole world, transcending time and space. You already carry the blessing that must save others. Let us pray.
Prayer. We give infinite glory and thanks to God. We thank You for allowing us to confess that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now let us experience this covenant. Let this be a day when we hold onto the covenant that completely breaks down the darkness. Let it be a day of challenge. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.