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Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 101 : The keys of the kingdom of heaven

Text: Matthew 16
3 March 2024

INTERMEDIATE SUNDAY SCHOOL 3 March 2024
STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Text: Matthew 16

Subject: “The keys of the kingdom of heaven”

 

INTRODUCTION

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:19-20

1. Imagery

a) Words that have symbolic significance
b) The use of figurative language

2. The keys of the Kingdom of heaven

a) These are not literal keys
b) It is an important symbolic word

THE APOSTLE PETER ENTRUSTED

1. The word “you”

a) It is singular
b) It is a reference to Peter

2. Meaning of the keys given to Peter

a) It is a symbol of his appointment as the leader of The Apostolic band
b) Peter would lead the other apostles with reference to the ministry of the kingdom of God

3. Binding and Loosing

a) These are words that involve “authority”
b) This is “declarative authority”
c) Absolute divine authority is in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ

THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL

1. The Apostle Peter preached the first Gospel message in Jerusalem Acts 2

2. In his message

a) Peter spoke about the sins of the people
b) They had crucified the Lord Jesus
c) This was a great sin
d) Many were convicted of their sins

3. The offer of forgiveness

a) Peter declared that God would forgive sins
b) Repentance was necessary
c) Salvation was given

4. Peter had opened the gates of heaven

a) Sins were forgiven
b) Believers were baptised
c) They became part of the kingdom of God

NOT READY YET

1. The Lord Jesus had to warn the Disciples

a) Not to disclose what they had learned at this point of time
b) The Lord Jesus had yet to fulfil God’s plan of redemption

2. The Disciples were not ready yet

a) Their knowledge was not deep
b) Their faith was not very strong
c) They would have to wait for the filling of the Spirit of God

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To cultivate

a) Knowledge
b) Faith
c) Wisdom

2. To seek

a) To be filled with the Spirit of God
b) To be ready to share our faith effectively