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Come & See Our Confession Sermon

Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]

Sermon Points & Scripture References: 

• Sermon Takeaway = Come & See Our Confession 

• Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13–20

• Sermon Point: Confusion of the Culture

• Sermon Point: Confession of the Church

• Sermon Point: Confidence in the King

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me

The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. How has your faith in Jesus evolved or changed over the course of your life, and what factors influenced these changes?

2. Can you think of a moment when your faith was challenged, and how did you navigate through that period of uncertainty?

3. Can you share a situation where misplaced trust in the world led to disappointment or harm?

4. How do you maintain a sense of faith and trust in the face of doubt or skepticism?

Into the Bible

The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Romans 10:9-13. Paul lays out here what it means to profess faith in Jesus. He doesn’t propose lengthy tests or acts; He simply states what Jesus requires of us - faith in Him. Why do you think Paul emphasizes the act of confessing with the mouth and believing in the heart as essential components of salvation in this passage? How do you think the simplicity of the salvation message in these verses differ with or challenge common ideas of what it takes to be saved?

2. Read John 4:46-54. John tells us that a Roman official came to Jesus in hopes of having his son healed. This was an incredible thing, considering allegiance away from Caesar and trusting a “Jew” was anathema to the Romans. Jesus healed his son but not without a testing conversation.  How does belief in Jesus test us on a daily basis, requiring us to think and search deeply about our faith in Him? How was Jesus’ simple action, healing the son, a great evidence and proof to the official and his family? 

Application

The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read Matthew 16:13-15. There were plenty of opinions about who Jesus was - a good teacher, a great man, a great servant. Sadly, even on this side of the empty tomb, not much has changed. Jews say he’s a good teacher. Muslims say he’s a wise prophet. Buddhists believe he was an enlightened man. Mormons believe he’s Satan’s brother. Jesus didn’t ask the question to get a poll; Jesus did it to make a point. His point wasn’t to uncover the opinions of the confused but to point out the confession of the called. Is it important for Christians to understand the various opinions about Jesus held by different groups or religions, and why? How can the understanding of Jesus as more than just a good teacher or wise prophet impact our lives and the way we share the Gospel with others?

2. Read Matthew 16:16-17. Before Peter would ever confess Jesus, he had to see Jesus. He was blessed because his eyes were opened by the Holy Spirit! When you realize that your faith, your own confession, was preceded by an even greater work of conversion, everything changes! When you see how blessed you really are, you worship, serve, give, sing, and tell everyone you know to come and see Christ -  Not FOR blessing, but FROM blessing. How do you live your life - to prove yourself to God or show proof of God in you? If you count Jesus as your Lord, how is your confession like Peter’s?

3. Read Matthew 16:18-20. We’ve been given the keys to open the doors and let people into heaven by unlocking them from their bondage to sin through the proclamation of the gospel so they’ll profess Jesus as Savior and submit to the authority of His Word. This should give us incredible confidence in our King! It gives us the confidence to attempt hard things for the kingdom of God. Knowing that Jesus has promised to build His Church changes the game. It means that no people group is too lost, no community too broken, and no family member too far gone for Christ to reach. Just like Peter, the apostles, and everyone since Jesus ascended, those of us who count Jesus as Lord have been given the privilege to spread the name of Jesus. Why is this a privilege? What does it mean that we've been given the keys to let people into heaven?