(Read Matthew 16:13-20)
This morning continue our overarching series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with 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. We have looked at this passage for over a week and we will go back to it today.
The Bible says, “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.”
Today I go back to the words, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s see.
1. Jesus came to restore the Kingdom, dominion, power and authority Adam had.
a) Before the fall of man there was no question who had power and authority in the earth. Adam was charge and the earth responded to his commands.
b) Just like God formed with the world with words, Adam used his words to exercise divine power and authority in the earth.
c) When Adam sinned and he was subsequently kicked out of the Garden of Eden, he was resigned to living in a world that no longer responded to him. This was the legacy he left for us. We were born without divine power, which is why Jesus came. Jesus came to redeem us from the fallen state Adam left us in.
2. The way Jesus lived in the earth is an example of how He expects us to live.
a) Jesus was not powerless. Like Adam before the fall, the world responded to Jesus and His words.
b) Jesus spoke to a storm and it stopped, He spoke to a fig tree and it died, He spoke to disease and it fled, He spoke to death and it bowed. The Pharisees, Sadducees, disciples and general bystanders were all amazed that Jesus spoke, taught and operated as a human with authority (Mat 7:29). This was a stark contrast to the powerless teachers of the Law the people had grown accustomed to.
c) Jesus preached the resurgence of God’s Kingdom. He then established a church (a congregation of believers), who would operate in the power of the Kingdom.
3. To tap into divine power you must live in the earth in sync with heaven.
a) Jesus operated with heavenly power as a human in the earth. He was a human living in-sync with heaven and its power.
b) You will never consistently flow in God’s power in the earth until you develop a “heaven on earth” mindset.
c) The Father wants His children, in the earth, to bind those things that are bound in heaven and to loose those things that are loosed in heaven. That is how heaven influences the earth.
d) You are not powerless. God birthed you in the earth to be a world-changer. But your power to impact the earth is derived from heaven. Therefore you must live in-sync with heaven in order to bind and loose what heaven expects you to bind and loose in the earth.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. By grace You saved me from my sin. By grace You restored me to the power Adam had in the Garden of Eden, before the fall. By grace You have empowered me to operate JUST LIKE JESUS in the earth. You freely give me access to Your power. This all comes to me by grace. I now use my faith to tap into Your grace. By faith I say what You lead me to say. By faith I release Your power in the earth. By faith I take authority over spiritual wickedness, principalities and powers. I curse every curse, hex, vex, or spell that a witch, warlock, wizard, physic, or sorcerer has ever spoken over me or my lineage. I am free from all bondage. Satan has no power over me. I live in-sync with heaven. I am not powerless, helpless or hopeless. Father, I am Your representative in the earth. You are in heaven, I am in the earth, and I experience heaven on earth every day! Not because I am so good, but only because of Your grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
