(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)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter and our study brought us to Matthew chapter 16. In this chapter the Father revealed Jesus’ true identity to Simon. Jesus, in turn, revealed Simon’s true identity (Peter) to him. This revelation changed Simon the fisherman into Peter the Apostle. Let’s go back to the passage this morning.
The Bible says, “Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, “Who do people say I am?” They answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus said to his followers, “And who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No one taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So 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 warned his followers not to tell anyone he was the Messiah.”
There is SO much here to cover. I will be dealing with this passage for weeks. For this morning I will focus in on the importance of knowing who you really are.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Simon the fisherman was able to succeed in life because he discovered his true identity. He was not born to fish fish, he was born to fish men. Simon started down the path to divine success the day Jesus helped him discover his true identity. He went from Simon the fisherman to Peter the Apostle and the rest is history.
a) Peter the Apostle was able to do things Simon the fisherman never could, because God’s grace was waiting on him to discover his purpose.
b) Peter the Apostle was used of God to heal the sick, preach the Gospel, lead thousands of souls to Jesus, and to lead the New Testament church. He would have missed out on all of this had he lived his life as Simon the fisherman.
c) Peter became a prosperous man. His prosperity could not be measured in money, but rather in purpose!
2. The greatest travesty in the world today is identity theft. The devil has kept people from discovering their true identity in Christ.
3. Your purpose cannot be developed, it must be discovered, because God developed it before the world began.
4. You can exist on this planet for years without truly living. Your divine life begins the day you discover your divine purpose.
5. God made plans for you before the world began. His plans contain your PURPOSE! Your success is connected to your PURPOSE! Your prosperity is connected your PURPOSE! Your grace is connected to your PURPOSE! You cannot walk in the grace of God for your life outside of walking in in your divine PURPOSE. When you discover your PURPOSE you discover your true IDENTITY.
6. You cannot be successful, in God’s eyes, being someone you were not born to be; regardless of how much money you have.
7. Your parents did not imagine and make you. God did, and He did it before the world began (Eph 2:10).
8. Your parents can love you, but they cannot define you. Neither can anyone else. The only one who can define you is the one who designed you!
9. There’s no point in discovering who Jesus is if you are not going to discover yourself.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began. I am not a mistake. I was born when I was born, and where I was born, because of WHY I was born. This world can’t define me because it did not design me. You designed me. You fashioned me. You thought of me. You made plans for me. You then planted me in the earth to fulfill my divine assignment. I spent years doing the wrong things and living as the wrong person. Like Simon the fisherman, I did not know who I was. But in finding Jesus I have found myself. And the like the Apostle Peter, I know who I am. I accept my assignment by faith. Not because I am good enough, but because Jesus was good enough for me. Not because I am righteous enough, but because Jesus was righteous enough for me. I am who I am by Your grace. Your grace towards me shall not be in vain. Now that I know who I am, I am ready to allow You to change the world through me. Knowing my true identity positions me to experience divine prosperity. Father, You are ON me, IN me, WITH me, and FOR me. There is no way I can lose because I walk in my PURPOSE! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
