He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17)
In Isaiah the people are bid to look to their spiritual ancestors as the rock from which they were hewn. Jesus declares that the church will be built on the rock of Peter’s bold confession of faith. As we honor our Sages this morning, we celebrate our own congregational “spiritual ancestors” who have lived out the faith in our congregational ministries and boldly proclaimed their faith.
Sermon Theme
To whom or what are you bound?”
Sunday Music
The Hymn of the Day at traditional services this week is “Built on a Rock” (ELW 652) through which we sing of Jesus as the true rock of faith, upon which all our hopes stand and echo Peter’s confession of Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” to Peter. In New Day we will sing “Jesus Messiah” as our Worship Song, and proclaim “Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel.” It is a name worthy of confession.
Home Devotional Questions
- What are the core beliefs upon which you build your life? … and upon which you build your faith.
- How does the call to “proclaim Christ Crucified” take shape in your life?
- What “binds” you in the world … and what “frees” you to live life fully?
