You can’t rush the rain

• Spiritual maturity
• Developing into a Bible student / teacher
• Becoming a shepherd
• Loving your family

Patience develops in the heart

We have plenty of good examples

Study the word

• Read, context, harmony, translations

Preach the word

Apply the word

Further tips on preaching

• How do I choose a topic?
• Keep in concise.
• Control your nerves by doing all your preparing ahead of time.
• Truth first, delivery second.
• Use illustrations, stats, anecdotes, etc. wisely.
• Application
• Practice
• Try to avoid a “Concordance Lesson.”
• Make your notes easy to read at a glance.
• Be nervous but natural.

Matthew 16

Matthew 16:1-4

• See Isaiah 48:1; 50:10
• They said they wanted a sign from Jesus, but they refused to acknowledge what He had already shown them. This was hypocrisy.
• Compare Matthew 12:38-41.

Matthew 16:5-12

• The disciples were focused on physical things and missed Jesus’ point completely. Jesus was warning about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
• Compare Galatians 5:7-9.

Matthew 16:13-20

• Jesus did not set in place any order of succession for the apostles, nor for a pope.
• See Matthew 18:1-4; 14:22, 33.
• John 6:66-69; 11:27 – People were recognizing that Jesus was the Christ.
• Matthew 21:42-44; Romans 9:33
• Matthew 7:24
• I Corinthians 3:11
• Ephesians 2:20
• Jesus is the chief cornerstone. The apostles were part of the foundation. Jesus was not building His church on Peter. Jesus Himself was the cornerstone.

Matthew 16:21-28

• If Jesus had bowed to Satan at any point, His entire mission on earth would be lost. Jesus was going to complete His mission, no matter the physical consequences.

Introduction

• Matthew 22:37

Talk about God all the time.

• Deuteronomy 6:5-6
• Spiritual discussions should be something that happen all the time. A spiritual view should be our default perspective on the news of the day.
• Hebrews 13:15
• Deuteronomy 6:10-13 – God warned Israel not to be distracted with blessings.
• Philippians 2:21
• Ephesians 5:23; 6:4 – Men, lead your family spiritually!

Think of ourselves as slaves.

• Luke 17:7
• Romans 6:16, 22
• The self-esteem movement has caused narcissism. We shouldn’t build ourselves or others up artificially.

Teach kids to respect authority.

• II Corinthians 5:10
• Hebrews 12:7-12
• Matthew 25:41, 46
• We can give our kids a tremendous boost by teaching them discipline and respect for authority because one day they will stand before God.
• Romans 1:29