Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 19
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Matthew 16:1-4
Sign Seekers

In this passage, Apostle Matthew notes non-believing Hebrew leaders who requested a SIGN of Jesus Christ. Their request was actually an attempt to gain control over Him. They were well aware of the miracles He publicly performed. Therefore, there was no need for Him to entertain them with wonders at a whim. This request was a form of TEMPTING GOD, which violates divine directive. This is why these Sadducees and Pharisees were guilty of contemptuously SEEKING a SIGN from Christ.

*tempting Gk #3985 peirazo (pi-rad-zo) it is to…
1. test is…
• a trial or means by which the presence, quality or genuineness of anything is determined
• a set of questions or problems used to evaluate one’s abilities, aptitudes, skills and performance

2. endeavor which is to exert oneself to do or affect something, make an effort or strive

3. scrutinize which is to examine in detail with careful or critical attention

4. entice which is to lead on by exciting hope or desire

5. discipline which is to…
• drill or train by instruction and exercise
• bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control
• correct, chastise, punish or penalize in order to train and control

*sign Gk #4592 semeion (say-mi-on) it is a ceremonial or supernatural indication, anything serving to indicate, point out or to direct attention to
These interrogators possessed non-believing and impure hearts. Even if Christ did grant them the SIGN, they still would not have recognized Him for Who He really was. [Tit 1:15, 16] Christ advised that the only SIGN they would receive was that of Prophet Jonas, which is Yahweh’s Word of salvation. As it was offered to the people of Nineveh, if they heeded GOD’S Word and repented of their wicked ways, their country would be spared from destruction. Those who cannot be convicted to repentance by the Testimony of Christ, will not be compelled to do so by any other word. By rejecting Christ the Word one forfeits eternal salvation and will inherit the Second Death on the Final Day of Judgment. [St Jn 3:19, 36; Lk 16:29-31; Rev 20:11-15; 21:8]

Matthew 16:5-12
Bad Bread, Bad Doctrine
<See Mt 15:3, 6, 9 Traditions of Men>

*doctrine Gk #1322 didache (did-ahk-ay) it is the act and matter of instruction, which is….
1. education the act or practice of teaching
2. knowledge or information imparted
3. orders or directions
4. the act of furnishing with authoritative directions

These Hebrew leaders were the keepers of a religious system that was widely perceived as right. However, they as did some of their ancestors, upheld and taught traditions of men in place of Yahweh principles. This practice also infests Christian sects. Christ warns true Christians to mark and avoid HERETICS at all costs. Partnering with them is partnering with enemies of Christ. Entertaining HERETICS and their philosophies can deem one guilty of supporting the agenda of the anti-Christ spirit. [II Jn vs 7-11; II Cor 11:3, 4, 13-15]

Matthew 16:13-17, 20
Yahweh Reveals Jesus Christ
<See Mt 17:1-8>

Per this passage, the revelation of Who Jesus Christ is cannot be disclosed with evil and non-spiritual devices. Only Yahweh can reveal Who Christ is.
[Mt 16:13-17, 20; Jn 6:44, 45, 65; II Tim 2:24-26; I Cor 2] This is why genuine Christian teachers are not to argue, strive or debate with those who oppose Jesus the Christ. [II Tim 2:24-26; Isa 54:13; Heb 10:15, 16]

*Christ Gk #5547 Christos (khris-tos) it means the anointed, the Messiah and is an epithet for Jesus of Nazareth

*anoint Gk #5548 chrio (khree-o) it means to smear or rub with oil and consecrate to an office or religious service

*Messiah Gk #3323 Messias (mes-see-as) it is the Messias and Mashiach Who is Christ

Yahweh ascribes this epithet to the One HE has chosen to be the Chief Messenger and Means by which HE bestows eternal salvation to mortals. [Act 17:31; I Cor 1:30]

Matthew 16:18, 19
The Power of Yahweh Worshipers

This passage gives insight into the power of divine worshipers. Yahweh gives them the KEYS to HIS kingdom and assures them that the GATES of hell will not PREVAIL against them. [Mt 16:18, 19]

*keys Gk #2807 kleis (klice) it is a key as shutting a lock [Rev 3:7, 8]

*gates Gk #4439 pule (poo-lay) it is the gate of a wing or folding entrance

*hell Gk #86 hades (hah-dace) it is Hades the unseen place of departed souls

*prevail Gk#2729 katischuo (kat-is-khoo-o) it means to overpower

Per Christ, all members of His church have the ability to BIND and LOOSE on earth what THE LORD has BOUND and LOOSED in heaven. This gives credence to why it is necessary to do all things according to Yahweh’s will. [Mt 6:10; Phil 2:13; I Jn 5:14, 15]

*bind/bound Gk #1210 deo (deh-o) it means to bind, which is to…
1. fasten, encircle or secure with a band
2. swathe, tie up, fasten around and fix in place by girding
3. cause to cohere, which is to…
a. stick together, be united and hold fast as parts of the same mass
b. be naturally or logically connected
c. agree and be congruous
4. unite by any legal or moral tie

*loose/loosed Gk #3089 luo (loo-o) it means to loosen, which is to…
1. unfasten or undo as a bond or fetter
2. slacken, relax and make less tight or firmly fixed in place
3. let loose or set free from bonds, restraint or constraint
4. make less close, dense, coherent or compact in structure or arrangement
5. relax in strictness or severity as restraint or discipline

Matthew 16:21-23
Offense of THE DIVINE

In this passage, Apostle Matthew notes that anything contrary to Yahweh’s Will is an OFFENSE to Jesus Christ. One should not expect things to go well when they are not compliant to THE LORD’S will. [Mt 6:10; St Jn 4:34; Rm 8:28; 12:2b; I Jn 5:14, 15; Phil 2:5, 13] In His dialogue with Apostle Peter, Christ addresses proper mindset regarding Yahweh’s will. This incident is when Peter negatively responded to what Christ had to endure per Yahweh’s will. First, any response that opposes the will of GOD is demonically invoked. Second, satanic forces are well aware of those who have authority to hinder their activity. As exemplified with Peter’s experience, satanic forces manipulate mortal senses, causing them to react contrarily to Yahweh’s will. This demonic activity began in Eden with Eve. [Gen 3:1-6] Lucifer motivated Peter to negatively respond to Christ completing His mission at Calvary. However, Christ was aware of Lucifer’s presence and immediately rebuked him for manipulating Peter’s emotions. Although the sons of GOD are anointed of HIM and do have power over satanic forces, their weak mortal nature is still vulnerable to demonic manipulation. Christ attests to this at [Mt 26:41]. This is why self-control and awareness of one’s mortal limitations are important. This is one reason why the Church of Philadelphia is such an exemplary group of believers. [Rev 3:7, 8, 10]
Born-again believes must keep in mind that inclinations to act or react contrary to divine rule, is invoked by satanic powers and is an OFFENSE to all that reside in Yahweh’s Kingdom.

*offense Gk #4625 skandalon (skan-dal-id-zo) it is a trap-stick or snare that is figurative of anything which causes one to sin or displease GOD

Matthew 16:24-28
Total Devotion

In [Mt 16:24] Apostle Matthew notes that absolute devotion to Yahweh is necessary for one to effectively worship and represent HIM on earth. Christ directly addresses His disciples, advising that anyone who genuinely desires to come after Him will DENY SELF, TAKE UP their personal CROSS and wholeheartedly FOLLOW Him. While it is true that believing with the heart and confessing with the mouth initiates salvation, it is TOTAL DEVOTION to GOD through Christ that proves one’s love for HIM. [Mt 5:19; Rm 1:9, 10; I Jn 2:15-17]

*deny Gk #533 aparneomai (ap-ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to utterly deny, disown and abstain

*take up Gk #142 airo (ah-ee-ro) it means to lift, take up or away, raise the voice and mind in suspense, sail away and expiate sin

*cross Gk #4716 stauros (stow-ros) it is…
• a stake or post as set upright
• a pole or cross as an instrument of capital punishment
• exposure to death and self-denial
• implication of the atonement of Jesus Christ

*follow Gk #190 akoloutheo (ak-ol-oo-theh-o) it means to be in the same way with and to accompany specifically as a disciple

In [Mt 16:25] Christ declares that being TOTALLY DEVOTED THE LORD is what secures eternal riches. The ultimate cost of forfeiting eternal riches in GOD is the destruction of one’s own SOUL. [Pro 8:34-36] Christ clarifies that whosoever SAVES his temporal self-serving mode of LIFE will LOSE eternal LIFE.
Those who LOSE the temporal self-serving mode of LIFE for the SAKE of Christ will FIND and secure eternal LIFE for their SOUL.

*save Gk# 4982 sozo (sode-zo) it means to save, deliver and protect

*lose Gk #622 apollumi (ap-ol-loo-mee) it means to fully destroy, perish and lose

*life/soul Gk #5590 psuche (psoo-khay) it is breath and spirit meaning the animal sentient only

*sake Gk #1752 heineken (hi-nek-en) it means on the account of

*find Gk #2147 heureo (hyoo-reh-o) it means to find, get, obtain, perceive and see [St Jn 3:19, 36]

In [Mt 16:26] Christ Jesus poses two questions to all mortals.

What is a man PROFITED, if he shall GAIN the WHOLE WORLD, and LOSE his OWN SOUL; or What shall a man give in exchange for his SOUL?
[Mt 16:26]

*profited Gk #5623 opheleo (o-fel-eh-o) it means to be useful, benefit and advantage

*gain Gk #2770 kerdaino (ker-dah-ee-no) it means to gain, which is to…
1. get something desired, especially as a result of one's efforts
2. acquire as increase or addition
3. obtain as a profit
4. win or get in competition
5. reach, get to and arrive at especially by effort

*give Gk#1325 didomi (did-o-mee) it means to pay or transfer possession to another in exchange for something

*exchange Gk #465 antallagma (an-tal-lag-mah) it is an equivalent or ransom

The practice of DAIO is real. It is distribution of riches per demonic forces. As Lucifer offered Christ temporal gains in exchange for worship, he surely offers mortals the same at the cost of their soul. When such temptations arise, one must choose for themselves to worship THE LORD or Lucifer. [Mt 4:1-11; Jam 4:7-10] No one can worship both. [Mt 6:24] Yahweh created all mortals with freewill. Thus, the ultimate fate of one’s SOUL is in their own hands. [Exo 23:3; Jos 24:15; Isa 1:18-20; Eze 18:4, 19-23, 31, 32] In [Mt 16:27, 28] Apostle Matthew reiterates that on The Final Day of Judgement, each soul will receive the appropriate reward for the works they did during their mortal lifetime. [Rm 6:23; St Jn 3:19, 36; Exo 32:30-33; Rev 20:11-15; Eccl 12:13, 14]

<Time 10m52s>