Are You Standing on The Solid Rock?

In Matthew 16:15 The Lord asked his disciples: 'Who do you say that I am?'  All praise to God, Peter had the right answer: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." The Lord then reveals to Peter that this blessing of knowing Him was given him from the Father in heaven, and did not come from Peter himself!

The Lord now instructs Peter that upon this ROCK (this truth just revealed to Peter, about the Christ) He will build His church.  Peter never spoke of himself as the foundation of the church, but the Lord did say he was giving him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth).  Peter then first used the keys on the Day of Pentecost. I believe they were not given to him exclusively, but as a representative of all the disciples (see Matthew 18:18 where the same promise is given to them all).

"Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be open in heaven." When a sinner truly repented of his sins and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, his/her sins could be declared forgiven on the authority of God's Word!  But when a sinner rejected the Saviour (the message - the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven), he/she could be declared to have his sins retained. 

I believe it was then the time for the Lord to tell his disciples about His purpose for coming to earth! The Son always moved in accord with the Father and waited for His timing! Now that the disciples had realized that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, they were ready to hear the Lord's first direct prediction of His death and resurrection. 
(notes from Believer's Bible Commentary)

Then, not understanding the complete will of God, we read of Peter's opposition to the Lord's new revelation. The Lord says to Peter that his idea is not from God but from Satan, anything that opposes God and His plan is from Satan. Get to know God and His will for you and for this world and for the worlds to come by reading your Bible.  Can you say with your understanding: "May your kingdom come, may your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven"? (Matthew 6:10)

Precious Pearl: "Anyone who listens to my teaching (Jesus said) and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." Matthew 7:24, 26

Can I ask you kindly:  'Where do you stand dear reader?'

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand!

Claudine