Embracing Our Past to Strengthen Our Faith Forward

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we explored the theme "Looking Back to Look Forward," emphasizing the importance of understanding our past to navigate our future. We often face the temptation to either romanticize the past or dismiss it entirely, but neither approach serves us well. Instead, we should recognize the value of the faithful testimonies of those who have gone before us. This perspective is crucial as we live in what might be termed "The Age of Absurdity," a time when standing firm in our faith is more important than ever.

We delved into Matthew 16, where Jesus, in the district of Caesarea Philippi, asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," is a pivotal moment. This confession is set against a backdrop of idolatry and false power structures, symbolizing the spiritual battles we face. Jesus' promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" is a testament to His enduring commitment to building His church, despite the obstacles.

Throughout history, from the early church to the Reformation and beyond, we see this promise fulfilled. Whether through the martyrdom of Polycarp, the Reformation led by figures like Luther, or the perseverance of believers in Communist China, the church has faced and overcome immense challenges. These stories remind us that the promise of Christ is not just for the prominent figures in history but for every believer who stands firm in faith.

In our current moment, we face challenges of false religions, oppressive governments, and the allure of convenience and progress. Yet, the promise remains: Jesus will build His church. We are called to trust in this promise, to stand firm, and to participate in the ongoing work of the gospel. Our faith is not in vain, for Jesus is faithful, and His promise endures.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of Historical Perspective: Understanding our past helps us navigate the present and future. We must avoid the extremes of romanticizing or dismissing history, instead valuing the testimonies of those who have gone before us as we seek to be faithful disciples in our time. [03:57]

2. Peter's Confession and Christ's Promise: In Matthew 16, Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ is a pivotal moment, set against a backdrop of idolatry and false power. Jesus' promise that the gates of hell will not prevail assures us of His enduring commitment to building His church, despite the challenges we face. [06:20]

3. Historical Fulfillment of Christ's Promise: Throughout history, from the early church to the Reformation and beyond, we see the fulfillment of Christ's promise. The church has faced and overcome immense challenges, reminding us that the promise of Christ is for every believer who stands firm in faith. [28:57]

4. Contemporary Challenges and the Enduring Promise: In our current moment, we face challenges of false religions, oppressive governments, and the allure of convenience and progress. Yet, the promise remains: Jesus will build His church. We are called to trust in this promise and participate in the ongoing work of the gospel. [39:28]

5. Standing Firm in Faith: Despite the obstacles and the roar of the gates of hell, we are called to stand firm in faith. Jesus is faithful, and His promise endures. Our faith is not in vain, for He has secured the victory, and we can trust in His promise to build His church. [41:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Finding Our Way
- [01:22] - Looking Back to Look Forward
- [03:07] - The Temptation of Progress
- [03:57] - The Age of Absurdity
- [04:52] - Pivotal Moments in Matthew
- [05:31] - Peter's Confession
- [06:20] - The Promise of Christ
- [09:49] - The Gates of Hell
- [12:36] - Historical Challenges
- [17:41] - Paul's Imprisonment
- [21:48] - The Martyrdom of Polycarp
- [28:57] - The Reformation and Beyond
- [33:42] - Modern Challenges
- [39:28] - Standing Firm in Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:13-20

---

Observation Questions:

1. What significant question does Jesus ask His disciples in Matthew 16:13, and how do they respond? [05:31]

2. In the sermon, what historical significance does the location of Caesarea Philippi hold, and how does it relate to Peter's confession? [07:17]

3. How does Jesus respond to Peter's confession, and what promise does He make regarding His church? [06:20]

4. What examples from church history were mentioned in the sermon to illustrate the fulfillment of Christ's promise? [28:57]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might Jesus have chosen Caesarea Philippi, a place with a history of idolatry and false power, as the setting for Peter's confession? [08:15]

2. How does the promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" provide assurance to believers facing contemporary challenges? [39:28]

3. In what ways do the historical examples of Polycarp, the Reformation, and the Chinese church illustrate the enduring nature of Christ's promise? [21:48]

4. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the "Age of Absurdity" and the challenges it presents? [03:57]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenge to your faith. How did the promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" encourage you, and how can it encourage you now? [06:20]

2. The sermon mentions the temptation to romanticize or dismiss the past. How do you currently view your personal history, and how might a balanced perspective help you in your faith journey? [01:22]

3. Consider the contemporary challenges of false religions, oppressive governments, and the allure of convenience. How can you stand firm in your faith amidst these pressures? [39:28]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of historical perspective. How can you incorporate the testimonies of past believers into your daily walk with Christ? [03:57]

5. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel called to participate in the ongoing work of the gospel. What steps can you take this week to actively engage in that work? [39:28]

6. How can you support and encourage fellow believers who are facing trials, drawing from the examples of perseverance shared in the sermon? [21:48]

7. Reflect on the promise of Jesus to build His church. How does this promise impact your view of the church's role in the world today, and how can you contribute to its mission? [40:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Historical Wisdom for Present Guidance
Understanding our past helps us navigate the present and future. We must avoid the extremes of romanticizing or dismissing history, instead valuing the testimonies of those who have gone before us as we seek to be faithful disciples in our time. In our current age, often described as "The Age of Absurdity," it is crucial to stand firm in our faith. By looking back at the faithful testimonies of those who have gone before us, we gain perspective and strength to face the challenges of today. [03:57]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a historical figure in the faith whose story inspires you. How can their testimony guide you in a current challenge you are facing?


Day 2: The Power of Confession in a World of Idolatry
In Matthew 16, Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ is a pivotal moment, set against a backdrop of idolatry and false power. Jesus' promise that the gates of hell will not prevail assures us of His enduring commitment to building His church, despite the challenges we face. This confession is not just a declaration of faith but a stand against the false idols and power structures of the world. It reminds us that our faith is rooted in the truth of who Jesus is, and this truth empowers us to stand firm. [06:20]

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What are the "idols" or false power structures in your life that challenge your confession of faith? How can you reaffirm your commitment to Jesus today?


Day 3: Witnessing the Fulfillment of Christ's Promise Through History
Throughout history, from the early church to the Reformation and beyond, we see the fulfillment of Christ's promise. The church has faced and overcome immense challenges, reminding us that the promise of Christ is for every believer who stands firm in faith. These historical accounts, such as the martyrdom of Polycarp or the perseverance of believers in Communist China, serve as powerful reminders of the enduring nature of Christ's promise. They encourage us to remain steadfast, knowing that we are part of a larger story of faithfulness. [28:57]

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews 12:3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge in your faith. How does the historical perseverance of the church inspire you to remain steadfast in your current circumstances?


Day 4: Trusting in the Promise Amidst Modern Challenges
In our current moment, we face challenges of false religions, oppressive governments, and the allure of convenience and progress. Yet, the promise remains: Jesus will build His church. We are called to trust in this promise and participate in the ongoing work of the gospel. Despite the modern challenges we encounter, the assurance of Christ's promise gives us hope and purpose. It calls us to actively engage in the work of the gospel, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. [39:28]

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a modern challenge that tempts you to compromise your faith. How can you actively trust in Christ's promise and engage in the work of the gospel today?


Day 5: Standing Firm in Faith with Assurance of Victory
Despite the obstacles and the roar of the gates of hell, we are called to stand firm in faith. Jesus is faithful, and His promise endures. Our faith is not in vain, for He has secured the victory, and we can trust in His promise to build His church. This assurance empowers us to face any challenge with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we stand firm, we participate in the victory that Christ has already secured for us. [41:41]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel your faith is being tested? How can you stand firm and trust in the victory that Christ has already secured for you?

Quotes

"Well, I trust that all of us gathered would not give into any of those temptations, but that we would know we look back in order to look forward, but not to enshrine the past, not to have some overblown sense of nostalgia and certainly not to be dismissive of it from our perch in history, but to recognize the value of the faithful testimony of those who have gone before us as we seek to be faithful disciples in this moment; this moment that likely when all is said and done and this moment gets characterized, it may very well be called 'The age of Absurdity.'" [00:03:29]

"And Jesus is in an interesting place as these verses begin at Matthew chapter 16 verse 13. 'Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked the disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."'" [00:05:31]

"And after this confession we have a promise. There is a twofold dimension to this promise. There is a positive dimension to this promise, 'I will.' 'I will build My church,' and then there is a negative dimension to this promise, the enemy, 'the gates of hell,' the gaping jaws wide open, 'will not prevail.' Now, if the disciples were paying attention, they would have seen example after example of a witness to the reliability of that promise in the life of Christ." [00:11:47]

"And we just drop a few verses past where we read of Peter's confession and this promise and we meet another obstacle immediately in verse 21, 'From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and He must suffer many things,' and Mark adds, 'and be rejected and die.' He will be killed. Now, Jesus goes on to say that He will be raised the third day, but after 'suffered' and 'be killed,' the disciples couldn't hear anything else." [00:13:47]

"And he gets released and he gets imprisoned again, though this time there is no hope of release. He is in this dark, dank Mamertine Prison without light. He can hear the imperial forum stretching for miles with its markets and its temples, its revelry, and its idolatry, but he knows the promise. He holds on to the promise and he gets to the end of his last will and testament of his, 2 Timothy chapter 4. He gets to verse 17 and he says, 'But the Lord stood by me. The Lord strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it: "I will build My church."' And I was rescued from the lion's mouth." [00:17:59]

"It is that gaping mouth of hell spewing suffering, spewing the stench of death, attempting to swallow up hope, but the promise carries on, carries on in Paul, carries on in these unknown brothers and sisters of Christ who suffered in the first century. The promise carries on through church history. We see it in the pages of the New Testament, but we see it in the pages of church history. It carries on in Polycarp, that aged bishop, eighty-six years old, declared the enemy of the state and they track him down." [00:21:21]

"And in the darkness that covered every corner of the church, a flicker of light began to shine, because the gates of hell will not prevail. The darkness will not eclipse the light of the gospel, and lies will assault the truth, but they will never kill it, because Jesus is building His church. Pope and church, emperor and state, and Luther stood on the promise. It is not always the full-on assault. Sometimes, the gates of hell function through indifference and convenience." [00:29:57]

"And then a few centuries later Machen had to move it back because now the gates of hell were academic credibility and respectability, and the leading universities of Europe had all told us that Moses didn't write the Pentateuch and Matthew didn't write Matthew and Mark didn't write Mark and Luke did not write Luke and, of course, John did not write John. These are much later documents written by the impressions that were left of those who thought they were encountering God, and Jesus didn't do miracles, and Jesus didn't rise from the dead, and Jesus was not born of a virgin, and there is no future kingdom." [00:32:40]

"And the Chinese Christians remembered that the previous generations of missionaries were buried with their Bibles. And they exhumed the bodies and they recovered the Bibles. And there would be a precious Bible for a Christian community and they would hand this Bible off and you would take that Bible and you would handwrite copies of those biblical books, and then you would hand the Bible off to someone else and they would handwrite copies of biblical books." [00:34:53]

"Can you imagine being the man writing this verse huddled in the back room of your house believing in the promise? Pages of New Testament and the pages of church history are witness to the promise, to the reliability of the promise that Jesus will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. So, what do we do in our moment? What do we say in our moment? These challenges that we have seen historically, false religions, fiendish false religions, oppressive governments, tyrants, despots, indifference, convenience, comfort, progress, are they not all present in our moment and do they not all seem intensified?" [00:38:00]

"Who is this one who made the promise, but the Christ, the living One, the Son of the living God, the One who has conquered sin and death and all our enemies and sits at the Father's right hand? That is the One who has made the promise, our Lord, our Savior, full of authority and power and might and full of mercy and compassion and love. He is the one who made the promise. And what is His promise, but that He will build His church." [00:39:43]

"Evil eclipses beauty and lies assault the truth and the gates of hell roar and death swallows up hope, and yet in the midst of it all the promise carries on and the song carries on in the church from one generation to the next because Jesus is faithful. And because Jesus is faithful, we can stand firm." [00:41:17]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Mar 23, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?