Lesson 5151

 (Lesson 5151)(03-10-26) Matthew 16:13-20 

   “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? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 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. 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. 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. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus used Peter’s knowing that He was the Christ, the Son of God, to establish the foundational authority of his Church. Jesus gave Peter, and the others, the spiritual "keys" to the kingdom, He promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His called out group of believers. At that time, the called out church was made up of only Peter and the other apostles.~ 

Lesson 5150

 (Lesson 5150)(03-09-26) Matthew 16:5-12 

   “And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus warned his disciples against the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, using the metaphor of leavening bread to demonstrate how the influence of false doctrine can spread as yeast causes bread to rise. Modern “Christianity” is a glaring example of what Jesus warned against in this lesson. ~

Lesson 5149

 (Lesson 5149)(03-08-26) Matthew 16:1-4 

   “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for their inability to see truth; though they can predict the weather by observing the sky, they are unable to see the clear "signs of the times" regarding the coming of the Messiah. He refused their demand for a miraculous sign from heaven, stating that no sign will be given to their wicked generation except the "sign of the prophet Jonas." ~ 

Lesson 5148

 (Lesson 5148)(03-07-26) Matthew 15:32-39 

   “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Jesus demonstrated His divine compassion and power by miraculously multiplying seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes into enough food to feed four thousand men, plus the women and children that were with them. ~