The Power and Authority of Praying Together
Matthew 16:13-19
1st: Revelation
Matthew 16:13-17 (NIV)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Revelation: God imparts knowledge, wisdom, & discernment that cannot be attained by natural human reasoning.
2nd: Illustration
Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
And I tell you that you are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church...
3rd: Explanation
Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Church: ekklesia: ek ‘out of’ klesis ‘a calling’ called out, separated ones, holy, or assembly.
4th: Authorization
Matthew 16:19 (NIV)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
"To ‘bind’ in rabbinical language it to forbid; to ‘loose’ is to permit.”
~A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament p.134
"I solemnly say to you, whatever you forbid on earth must be already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth must already be permitted in heaven."
~Charles B. Williams, The New Testament: A Private Translation in the Language of the People, 1960
Matthew 6:10 (NIV)
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
5th: Exhortation
Matthew 18:18 (NIV)
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
