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The Inherent Power of Believers

Matthew 16:16-19

By Robert D. Pace

Opening Remarks

 

The Believer's inherent power refers to the innate, instinctive authority God bestows upon those who accept Christ as Savior.  It's the empowerment that God has invested within every Christian around the world. 

 

Admittedly, we sometimes fail to utilize the authority we've been deputized to exert.  But there's a vast reservoir of power God has provided Believers that needs unleashing. And that's what I want to discuss. Let's read our text.

 

Matthew 16:16-19

 

The area where Jesus spoke these words was renowned for paganism.  As the apostles looked over the valley they could see a shrine that had been built in honor of Caesar.  Looking further, they saw the altars of Baal sprinkled throughout the region.  And then there was a cavern, thought to be the birthplace of Pan, the mythological god of nature that people visited.

 

It's not coincidental that in this idolatrous area Jesus asked His apostles the question of the ages: "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

 

And here were their answers: "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."  Their answers reflected the prevalent Jewish superstition that Jesus was one of Israel's resurrected heroes.

 

Then Jesus said: "But what about you . . . who do you say I am?"  And Simon Peter jumped up and shouted the confession of the ages, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

 

With that Jesus replied: "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."

 

(Transition)  That brings us to point one: God gives believers inherent power to discern spiritual matters.

 

I.      The Power to Discern Spiritual Matters

 

There are those that say they can't understand the Bible, it's too difficult. But unlike unbelievers, whose mind has been blinded to spiritual truths, Christians can know God's counsel.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 13:11, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them."  In other words, God wants us to understand what the Bible says.  He's more than willing to reveal it.

 

(Illustration)  A kindergarten teacher observed her students during art class.  When she looked over one child's shoulder she inquired about the picture.  "What are you drawing?"  The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."  The teacher said, "Now wait a minute Joan.  Nobody knows what God looks like."  Without a moment's hesitation Joan looked up and said, "They will in a minute!"

 

Believers may not know what God looks like or understand all Bible mysteries but we can greatly increase our present knowledge of Scripture.

 

2 Timothy 2:15 says: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

 

You know, sometimes we should simply let the Bible speak for itself. That's what I want to do here.  Turn to:

 

A.     Ephesians 1:17-21 (Read).  There are three things in this passage that Paul says are important for believers to know:

 

Paul said: "I want you to have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you can know Him better."

 

He said: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." ["Lord, what is Your will for me?  Tell me, Lord."]

 

And then Paul said God wanted us to know "his incomparably great power for us who believe."

 

B.     The other significant passage Paul wrote concerning the believer's power to understand spiritual matters is found in 1 Corinthians 2:7-13 (Read). 

 

Lack of knowledge doesn't belong to the Christian, revelation does. Even the depths of God are meant to be searched out by Christians.  Psalm 42:7 talks about "deep calling unto deep."  And Hebrews 6:1 commands us to: "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity."

 

I don't want to miss this opportunity of being practical at this point because there are some sensible and pragmatic ways to increase your spiritual understanding.

 

Use an updated version of the Bible.

 

Purchase a good commentary of the Scriptures.

 

Pray before you study.  It's amazing what the Spirit will reveal when you deliberately invite Him into your study.

 

Use online Bible tools.  OliveTree.com and BlueletterBible.com are two tremendously helpful sites.

 

Get involved in a Bible study group.

 

(Transition)  But the Believer not only has inherent power to understand spiritual matters, believers have inherent power to persevere and live for Christ during every circumstance.

 

II.     Inherent Power to Live for Christ

 

Throughout Scripture God is revealed as the omnipotent Creator—the divine architect of the universe.  As our Creator His spiritual engineering would have been flawed had He fashioned us without an inherent ability to withstand life's pressures and ills.  But He didn't.  He gave us a tremendous capacity to live for Him regardless of what happens.

 

(Illustration)  I know we have some engineers in this church, but I'm unsure that we have any structural engineers.  While I am not educated with such a degree, I do understand that when structural engineers design buildings they put a double-strength in the foundation.  They call for both cement and steel.  The reason they do that is because cement provides compression strength while the steel provides flexibility.  Cement does what steel can't do and working together they provide a structure with a double-strength.

 

God does the same for us.  He provides us with the rock-solid support of the Word and the flexible strength of His Spirit.  Through the power of the Spirit living within us we can take the Word of God and say:

 

"Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

 

We can assert Romans 8:37 that says: "in all these things we are more than conquerors."

 

We can say with 1 John 5:4, "everyone born of God overcomes the world!"

 

There is inherent, overcoming power God places in Believers!

 

Let's return to our text and revisit the summit of Caesarea and investigate this further.  Matthew 16:18 says: "I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

 

Christ makes two references to a rock here.  Jesus described Himself as a "rock" and He called Simon Peter a "rock."  And the Church is built on both rocks—Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone and Simon Peter, a piece of that rock.

 

The reason Jesus used this imagery is because of what rocks symbolize. Rocks symbolize endurance.  You've heard the expression: "He's as solid as a rock."  That describes someone that is dependable, strong, and enduring.

 

(Illustration)  I read the story of a violent thunderstorm that ripped through a city late one evening. A mother was tucking her boy into bed and about to turn off the light when he said with a shaky voice, "Mom would you sleep with me tonight?"  Who could blame him?  Flashes of lightning, peels of thunder, and the wind nearly peeling off the roof! The mother smiled, reassured him with a hug, and said, "I can't stay with you baby, I have to sleep with daddy." The boy replied, "The big sissy."

 

Christians aren't wimps!  When we accept Christ as our Savior He gives us the promises in this Book, offers us the power of His Spirit and promises to"never leave nor forsake us"! 

 

Jesus Renames Simon

 

(Bible Example)  Do you remember when Jesus first met Simon?  Christ's first course of action involved renaming Peter.  The name Simon meant, "a swaying reed."  But his new Hebrew name, Peter, meant, "a piece of a larger rock."  This name change indicated a new power and strength for living.

 

You say, "But what about Peter's fomenting craze the night preceding Christ's crucifixion?"  He cursed, lied, and denied the Lord.  And in fact, all the apostles fled and forsook Jesus the night of His trial.

 

But remember, when Jesus called Peter to help build the Church, Jesus knew Peter wouldn't be perfect or infallible.  Simon Peter was mortally flawed.  Jesus had chosen someone, whom the Spirit's power, could overcome all his liabilities and turn weakness and failure into victory!

 

Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he was first to preach after the resurrection to those that crucified Jesus.

 

Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he was the one refusing to shrink from the threats of the Sanhedrin Court when it threatened the apostles with imprisonment.

 

Peter failed Christ at the crucifixion, but he never again cowered from Christ.  In fact, history tells us that in Peter's last days he was arrested and crucified upside-down.

 

He wasn't perfect but with the Spirit working within him he never gave up or turned back.  He drew on his inherent power to overcome.

 

(Transition)  Then there is a third inherent power in every Believer.  Christians not only have power to know, and power to stand steadfast, they have power to bind and loose.

 

III.    Power to "Bind and Loose"

 

Matthew 16:19 says:  "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."

 

This passage of binding and loosing has undergone relentless scrutiny throughout the centuries, so the topic can't be exhausted in one sermon.  But I do want to address one aspect of what it means to "bind and loose."

 

Keys symbolize authority.  They determine what is granted entry and what is forbidden entry.  As it relates to the keys of the kingdom it means, as the Holy Spirit authorizes us, we have power to restrict and release in life.  This applies to whatever pertains to our welfare in life.

 

Before continuing let me inject a word of caution.  Scripture never teaches that Christians can manipulate God's principles to achieve their purposes without regard to God's counsel and will. We can't go around binding and loosing" at our autonomous discretion. When we claim Matthew 16:19 to "bind and loose" we are authorized to do so as the Holy Spirit initiates it.

 

God is "the author and finisher of our faith."  He is the One that sovereignly distributes the spiritual gifts (1CO 12).  And only the Holy Spirit can lead and empower you to take authority over certain issues.

 

(Illustration)  A young man was saved and began preaching in China.  As he preached on the streets of Zhoukou he was cursed and beaten by a bystander.  He quickly prayed for God's help.  In an instant the Holy Spirit quickened the man to take authority over the situation. He looked at his attacker and said: "In Jesus' name, I bind you"!  The attacker immediately fell to the ground and was unable to move.  His relatives tried to rescue him but to no avail.  The young evangelist said: "He is bound.  If I don't pray for him, the only way you can move him is to hoist him into a truck."  The crowd asked for his release, so the preacher said: "In Jesus' name, get up." The man jumped to his feet and many in that village were said. (Mega Shift, James Rutz, Empowerment Press, 2005, pages 16-17.)

 

(Illustration)  Sometime back a woman that suffered from gout told me how God miraculously healed her. After hearing a message that challenged her faith she went home and was unable to sleep.  Finally, she got out of bed, went into the kitchen, grabbed the cooking oil, anointed herself, and commanded the gout to leave her foot. The Lord honored her faith and instantly healed her!

 

She could have ignored the Spirit's dealings and missed her miracle; but she didn't.  When her faith was quickened, she coupled it with works, and took her authority to bind the sickness and loose the miracle.

 

What are Christians authorized to "bind and loose"?  We are empowered to "bind and loose" whatever Jesus, our Example, "bound and loosed."

 

He cast out devils. (Matt. 8:28-32 and Mark 1:27)

He exercised authority to heal. (Matt. 4:23)

He took authority over nature. (Matt. 8:26)

He took authority over financial lack. (Matt. 14:15-20)

He overcame the power of sin that threatened the destruction of others. (1 Pet. 2:22, Rom. 6:18))

 

And as the Holy Spirit directs believers have the same power to "bind and loose."

 

Conclusion

 

God has provided you with inherent power.  Don't ignore it.  Claim the promises He has freely provided for you.