A misconception about Jesus, triggered a question that prompted a divine revelation which resulted in a paramount declaration.----1. The Misconception ---A. What people thought about who Jesus was--i. John the Baptist - miracles Mat 14-2-3--ii. Elijah - various miracles---iii. Jeremiah or one of the prophets - they heard HIM preach authoritatively----B. A question to the disciples--i. The disciples were as lost as the people regarding who Jesus was.----2. The question triggered a Divine Revelation--a. Holy Spirit openned their mind - Jn 20-22-Lk 24-45--b. Unless God intervenes, we will not believe.----3. A paramount declaration--a. v18 -,and upon this rock...---b. Not Peter but Jesus - Mt 21-42-Mk 12-10-Lk 20-17 and Acts 4-11-Pe 2-6-7--c. The Rock is Peter's declaration--i. You are the Christ--ii. The Son of the Living God--iii. I will build my church--iv. The gates of hades will not prevail against it----4. How Does Christ build His Church---a. By calling sinners out of darkness intol the light - Pe 2-9--b. by building up the saints in their most holy faith - Jude 20--c. By multiplying disciples Acts 6-7

1. To the diaspora--a. To the twelve tribes who are dispersed--b. To believers under persecusion, under pressure, suffering and struggling----2. Pressure is certain v.2----3. Pressure has a strange solution v.2----4. Pressure has a purpose v.3-8----5. Pressure is good for us v.9-12----Look ahead to the crown of life, only achieved through faith.

WHAT IS SPIRIT OF BONDAGE--- - Sin tendencies-- - Improperly -pleasing- God-- - Theological traps-- - slave attitude towards law----Constant struggle even for believers-- - Strive to live -Christian- life-- - Moralistic preaching-teaching-- - Colossians 2-16-23-- - 1 Timothy 4-1-3----WHAT IS SPIRIT OF FEAR--- - Not pleasing God - do more-- - My sin condemns me-- - What if I don't do Christian disciplines-- - Don't measure up to -Christian- ideal

Thesis- For Jesus is our Temple----The goal is the Gospel for today - 1 Chor 12-32, 1 Cor 1-21-24----Why does today's Christianity struggle with reaching the culture or society----- 1. What is a Jew----- 2. What is a Greek----- 3. What is an Ambassador's for Christ-

1. What is Vulnerability--- ----2. Vulnerability and our Culture---- -Communicates a position of weakness----3. Is vulnerability Biblical- Psalm 139, John 3-16-- -- -Samartian women John 4-- -Paul is boasting about Christ through his weakness II Corinthians 11-16-30-- ----4. We long for love and belonging. This can only be filled by God. -- -- -We have a Savior that became Vulnerable for us. Philipians 2 -- -We need to Vulnerable for the sake of the Cross and the Gospel

Thesis- A pastor is a sinner, will let you down and is not any better than any other believer. Yet, the Bible does have very real qualifications for someone who would become a pastor in a local church.----ELDER VOTING IS NOT POLITICS-- - No -campaign- promises-- - No self promoting policies-- - Plurality of elders is important----ELDER PLURALITY BENEFITS-- - Wisdom and Direction-- - Accountability-- - Balance of gifts-- - Burden-Responsibility Sharing----PASTOR -MUST-BE's--- - Above reproach, temperate, prudent, etc.-- - Recognized by church --- -not perfect, but -known as---- - Manage home well 9if not, can't manage church--- - Faithful resource manager-- - Humble, not arrogant-- - Can't be controlled by things of world-- - Be a peacemaker, hospitable lover of good-- - apt to teach - variously apply gospel

What Is A Pastor-----1. How does the Bible describe a Pastor--- - 4 Terms--- 1. Elder or Presbyter Acts 20-17-- 2. Overseer or Bishop Acts 20-28-- 3. Poimen 1 Peter 5-1-2-- 4. Steward Titus 1-7-- - All the terms describe responsibilities of the same man.----2. The elder speaks about what the man is.-- 1. The bishop-Overseer speaks about what he does-- 2. The Pastor speaks about the man's stewardship of God's Flock----3. The Pastor must have a vital personal relationship with Jesus. 1 Peter 5-1-5-- 1. Willing to be a witness regarding the sufferings of Christ-- 2. Willing to be a martyr for Christ-- 3. Pratice greatest must ba servant of all-- 4. A vital and real relationship with the Gospel----4. A pastor must have a loving concer for God's Sheep.-- 1. Ensure the sheep are kept away from things that will harm them-- 2. What is the role of the Pastor reqarding sheep. 1 peter 5-2-3----5. There are some dangers-- 1. Thing of him as another sheep with no authority-- 2. Raising the Pastor too high think of him as a super saint----Pastors are among the sheep, but they are to have a loving care and concern for the sheep with an attitude of desire to serve God's people and the Kingdom.

WHAT IS GLORIFICATION--- - The last stage of sanctification-- - Ultimate, complete conformity to image of Christ-- - Final transformation to absence of sin----THINGS TO NOTE--- - Never stop growing and learning about God-- - Never-ending bliss in every aspect-- - Full communion with God - all senses-- - Enabled to use full abilities to reflect Him-- - See unimaginable full display of Gods glory----GLORIFICATION- WHAT TO DO NOW-- - Seek purity, righteousness now-- - Abound in Lord's work----IMPLICATIONS-- - Gives hope-- - Gives meaning to life-- - Points to love of Christ

Things to Remember about Justification-----1. What Justification is not.-- a. An apology or an explanation, for real or perceived bad conduct.----- b. Justification is not our internal or expressed argumentation, to appease or quiet a guilty conscience.----2. It is Forensic, not Subjective-- a. FORENSIC means that justification is a legal declaration.---- b. Romans 4 explains it, using the language of Psalm 32.---- c. It is not to be made righteous, but to be declared righteous---- d. It is to be pronounced righteous by God, not to be constituted righteous by keeping the Law----3. It is Imputed not Imparted-- a. Justification is the accreditation of RIGHTEOUSNESS.---Ex- Bank EFT---- b. Justification credits our record with the perfect obedience of Christ while the expiation or atonement of Christ removes from our record, the accusation the Law had against our deeds.---- c. This is an act of God.---- d. It is instantaneous- It does not happen in stages. -The moment the sinner believes, he-she is justified---- e. It is unmerited- it is not earned by the sinner who is justified.---- f. We cannot add or diminish from our justification either with works or with sins.----4. Justification is Gratuitous but not free----5. It is Final and Irrevocable-- a. It cannot be reversed---- b. It cannot be called back----- c. It cannot be deleted

Positional Sanctification - God's work and not dependent on you-Salvation is 100- faith alone--1. Acts 20-32-1 Cor 1-2-6-11-Heb 2-11----So how can we change- How do we fight-----1. Do Not Assume the Gospel----2. Recognize the Problem----3. Be Intential in your Relationship with God----4. Deal Biblically with Guilt and Failure----Look at Jesus, Remember Jesus' work