From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 6:14 AM

Subject: 6-15-23 THOUGHTS

6-15-23   THOUGHTS

There is much in our reading this morning.  The identification of Messiah amongst his disciples is first.  Peter gives the proud answer powerfully and he is so right!    These disciples will be “guided into all truth” and truly open the kingdom of the Church as we read about it in the New Testament. Our reading closes with a rebuff to Peter.  I can’t imagine how he felt when his Lord said to him “Get behind Me, Satan!”   Then Jesus states a problem that you and I need to continually consider for ourselves!    He says “for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s."  How prone we all are to this problem.  We must see through the eyes of God’s Word!  1Cor 2:16b   “But we have the mind of Christ.”

Matt 16:13-23    Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14  And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17  And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18  "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19  "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." 20  Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22  Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You."  23  But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s."
Col 3:2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

My Prayer:
Father, we beg for the mind of Christ in us. Keep us from seeing through worldly eyes.  We ask for the ability and willingness to die to self, so that we can live to Christ.  May our lives be hidden with Christ in You.  May we see clearly the blood bought Church that is built on the Rock.  May we never be guilty of dismissing the power of the Church. Help us to build the Church up as we demonstrate to the world, Your love in Christ Jesus.  
In the name of our Savior,      Amen.