(Read Matthew 16:13-20)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. Today we will get back to studying the amazing life of the Apostle Peter by looking at something that happened in Matthew 16. This event changed Simon the Fisherman forever.
Jesus and His disciples were in Caesarea Philippi when He asked them, “Who do people say I am?” This was a legitimate question, because by now everyone was talking about Jesus. Jesus was ministering everywhere He went and even though He often told people not to share what He did, they could not help themselves. The news about Jesus was spreading like wildfire.
Jesus’ disciples said, “Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Okay, this is what others were saying. But Jesus wanted to know what they believed. They had been walking with Him for some time. They had a front row seat of His ministry. So Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” This was an opportunity for any of the disciples to respond. But we will see something that plays out over and over again. The person to speak up is Simon. This was his personality. He was an outspoken extrovert. The quickdraw he had with his mouth often resulted with a foot in it. But this time it paid off.
Simon spoke up and said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered Simon, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No one taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am.” Jesus often told the disciples that He only said what He heard the Father say and He only did what He saw the Father do. Jesus lived every day on the divine revelation He received from the Father, through the Holy Spirit. This is how Jesus lived and now one of the disciples tap into that same ability. Jesus was happy to see Simon hear from the Father. He was happy to see one of His disciples receive revelation from the Kingdom of God. So Jesus said, “I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys to God’s kingdom. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God’s judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God’s forgiveness.” Then Jesus told His disciples not to tell anyone he was the Messiah.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. It’s okay to be yourself with God. Simon never tried to be anyone but himself and God blessed him for it. He was changed from Simon (the unstable man) to Peter (the rock) by simply being himself.
2. The anointing is when God ministers to people in the earth through a person. He can minister to people directly (because He is God), but when He chooses to minister to humans through another human it is called “the anointing”.
3. God anoints people with His supernatural power and giftings, so they can become conduits of His power in the earth. But the anointing only flows through the authentic. There will be no anointing where there is no authenticity. God’s anointing will not flow through you when you are being fake.
4. Peter never tried to be anyone but Peter. He was far from perfect, he made a myriad of mistakes, but since he was simply being Peter, the Lord was able to use him supernaturally. God will do the same through you when you stop trying to be someone else.
5. God is not looking for perfection, but He is looking for authenticity. Be yourself and you will experience the power of God flowing through you.
I will stop here for today. Tomorrow we will go back to this passage and discuss how Peter found himself when he found Jesus.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The combination of Your Grace and my faith are required for me to maximize the purpose and potential You placed in me. You want to use me to change the world. You want to use me to meet the needs of others. You want me use me to release the Supernatural. You want to use me as a conduit of Your light, love and glory. You want to do all of this by grace and You are looking for me to release my faith. I declare that I do. But I also know that You will not flow through me when I am being someone You did not call me to be. You don’t like it when You look at me and see me attempting to be someone else. Your anointing only flows through authenticity. Therefore, I declare that I will always be ME. I don’t live my life attempting to be anyone but the person You called me to be. As I am myself, my true self, my God-ordained self, You are able to flow through me to change the world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
