NT Come Follow Me 16

NT Come Follow Me Lesson 16

Introduction:

“Thou Art the Christ”

Matthew 16:1–4 The Pharisees choice to ignore the signs and accept that Jesus is the Christ. Instead they asked for a sign. This is much the same pattern as the anti-christs in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

In contrast, Peter chose to accept the signs, and to recognize and accept Jesus as the Christ. Because of His belief and faith, the Spirit testified to Peter that Jesus is the Christ.

His testimony was revealed to him by our “Father which is in heaven.” Revelation is the rock upon which the Savior built His Church then and now—revelation from heaven to His servants. And this is the rock upon which we can build our discipleship—revelation that Jesus is the Christ and that His servants hold “the keys of the kingdom.” When we are built upon this foundation, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against [us]” (Matthew 16:15–19).

Personal Study: A testimony of Jesus Christ comes by revelation.

What do you respond to Jesus’s question of you? “Whom say men that I am?....Whom do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:13–15

Matthew 16:15–17 Thou art the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy One, the Savior of my soul.
John 15:26 The Holy Ghost, the Comforter, testifies of Jesus.
2 Nephi 31:17–18 The doctrine of Christ: faith in Jesus, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end. As we seek to make and keep our covenants, the Holy Ghost will testify of the Father and the Son.
Alma 5:45–48 We can know for ourselves as we seek to do the Lord’s will. We need to repent. We need to pray and fast. We can know the truth of all things through the power of the Holy Ghost. We can know that we are children of God, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the words of the prophets and the scriptures are true.

Video: “President Nelson: Hear Him—Personal Revelation” Do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity.

Personal Study: “The keys of the kingdom of heaven” are on the earth today.

Matthew 16:19 Peter was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, or Priesthood keys.

What are priesthood keys? Why do we need them?

Matthew 16:13–19 Whom say ye that I am? The Christ.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Sealing power!

Matthew 17:1–9 On the Mount of Transfiguration the keys were bestowed.

Mark 9:2–9 Also, the Father declared Jesus is His Beloved Son. We should hear Him.

Joseph Smith Translation, Mark 9:3 John the Baptist and Moses were talking with Jesus. These had held keys. Mark 9:4, footnote a

Doctrine and Covenants 65:2 Keys were given so that the gospel could be taken to all the earth.

107:18–20 Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all spiritual blessings. Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and the ministration of outward ordinances, repentance and baptism.

110:11–16 The Priesthood keys have been restored through earlier prophets to men of this dispensation, in preparation for the Coming of the Lord.  

128:9–11 Those who hold the Priesthood participate in sealing ordinances as records are kept, that bind our actions both here and in heaven.

Keys of the Priesthood (Study this section later)

The President of the Church is the only person on earth who holds and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys

Why do you think a key is a good symbol for the right to direct priesthood service?

Dallin H. Oaks, “The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys

Transfiguration, Mount of (study section more later)

At the Mount of Transfiguration, Necessary priesthood authority was conferred upon Peter, James, and John; the significance of the Savior’s work was emphasized.

A similar event occurred on April 3, 1836, in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, where the same heavenly messengers conferred priesthood keys upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 110).

Personal Study: When seeking greater faith, I can start with the faith I have.

Matthew 17 and Mark 9 Jesus’s disciples had not been able to heal this man’s child. The man had a hope and desire to believe. Do you? “Lord, I believe, Help thou mine unbelief.”

How has Heavenly Father helped you to increase your faith? What are you doing to strengthen your faith? What can you do? What lack you yet?

Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lord, I Believe”

Family Study: Learn to Honor God

Matthew 15:7–9 Don’t just know about God; have a relationship with Him.

Mark 7:6–7 Lips service is not enough; honor God through worship and by following and teaching His doctrine.

Family Study: Watch Your Thoughts, Words, and Deeds

Matthew 15:17–20 What we think about has more power to defile us than what we eat.

Mark 7:18–23 Be extra careful about what you let enter into your heart. You may have improper thoughts, but do not adopt them and welcome them home.

Family Study: The Holy Ghost Testifies of the Father and the Son

Matthew 16:15–17 The Holy Ghost testifies that Jesus is the Christ. We can prepare for this revelation by learning about Jesus and seeking to do His will, and my asking God the Father in Jesus’s name.

Family Study: We Need Keys to Open Doors

Matthew 16:13–19 The Lord gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. These keys are now held by President Nelson. They unlock the ability to administer the gospel of salvation allow with the Savior ordinances. Through them, we can all be empowered to do the Lord’s work, to help gather Israel, and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

17:1–9 Priesthood keys can only be bestowed to man through the power of the priesthood and by someone who already holds those keys.

Video: “Where Are the Keys?”

1. Prepare for missionary service
2. Attend the temple
3. Go forward with faith

Family Study: Have Faith to Move

Matthew 17:20 If you have a little Faith in Jesus, you can move mountains. Think about it. It is His power than enables you to move!

Jacob 4:6 As we live by faith and grow in our abilities to receive and follow revelation, our faith can grow to be unshakable, and we will be involved in miracles.

Moses 7:13 Enoch’s people had developed their faith to such a degree that their enemies feared them. God was with them. In our day, we have the promise that the Lord will shake the heavens for our good and His name’s glory. We need to build up Zion as the people of Enoch did.

President M. Russell Ballard taught: “If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, the Lord can help us remove the mountains of discouragement and doubt in the tasks ahead of us as we serve with God’s children, including family members, Church members, and those who are not yet members of the Church” (“Precious Gifts from God,”).

I Believe in Christ

The Power of Teaching Doctrine

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/15?lang=eng

The scribes and Pharisees contend against Jesus—He heals the daughter of a gentile woman—He feeds the four thousand.

Vs 8-9 Make sure that you are not just giving lip service, but learn to praise and worship the Father in His Son's name in Spirit and truth; and learn to apply His teachings in your life and be a disciple.

Vs 11 What comes out of your mouth shows your thoughts and the intents of your heart. Guard those things well, and guard your tongue.

Vs 18-20 Seek to be one with God in your thoughts and align your will with His. Also, follow Jesus's example and hold your peace often.

Vs 26-28 Jesus's mission was not just to the Jews after all, but to the believing.

Vs 30-31 This is a proper response. When you behold His miracles, glorify the God of Israel.

Vs 32 Jesus cares about our physical as well as spiritual needs. He wants to feed us.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/16?lang=eng

Jesus warns against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees—Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ and is promised the keys of the kingdom—Jesus foretells His death and resurrection.

Vs 4 We have all had signs enough. The Man of Righteousness need not prove Himself to us or show us new signs. He has proved Himself to His Father, and He has done all things for our salvation. If we doubt, it is because we are not being faithful and truthful.

Vs 15-17 We can know that Jesus is the Christ. This testimony comes from God our Father through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Vs 18-19 Christ's church is built upon the Rock of Revelation, with apostles and prophets who are given keys to administer the gospel and the ordinances thereof.

Vs 21-26 Jesus realized that His life had to be given to save all human souls. He also tells us that we need to be willing to give up the things of this world and do the Father's will, in order to save our own souls; even if this means our physical life be taken.

Vs 27-28 Jesus will come back soon. What reward are you working for? Will you not taste of death before He comes again?

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/17?lang=eng

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mount—Jesus heals a lunatic, tells of His coming death, and pays taxes in a miraculous manner.

Vs 5 This is the pattern by which the Father introduces His Son.

Vs 13 John the Baptist was an Elias who suffered death by the hands of the Jews; Jesus also suffered death by them.

Vs 15-21 We need to increase our faith through prayer and fasting. It is through faith that miracles happen.

When people are troubled by evil spirits (or maybe even depression and anxiety), fasting is an important thing for those striving to practice faith.

Vs 22-23 Jesus was open and clear about what was going to happen to Him.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/7?lang=eng

Jesus reproves the Pharisees for their false traditions and ceremonies—He casts a devil out of the daughter of a Greek woman—He opens the ears and loosens the tongue of a person with an impediment.

Vs 14-15 The Pharisees had been changing the law given by the Lord to Moses to fit their own purposes. He rebuked them.

We need to know that the evil that we harbor can defile us and lead others astray. Our body digests or expels unclean food; but, we need the Lords help to change those things that are against His nature.

 

Vs 20-23  There are many in today's world that worship their bodies more than the Lord. The are on special diets to take care of their physical health. That's good. But they do not guard against improper thoughts and false doctrine. They accept and adopt and teach it, and are puffed up with pride in evil. This is defiling.

 

Vs 29-30 Jesus heals those who have faith to be healed.

 

Vs 37 I believe our prophet. We will also see many miracles in the days ahead.

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/8?lang=eng

Jesus feeds the four thousand—He counsels, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees—He heals a blind man in Bethsaida—Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ.

Vs 2-3 Jesus cares about our needs and our wants. He has compassion on us and wants to feed us.

Vs 8-9 He fed them all, and they were filled!

Vs 22-25 Sometimes our healing is in increments according to our faith and gratitude.

Vs 27-29 Learn by the Spirit and testify that Jesus is the Christ!

Vs 31-34 Do not be afraid of death. Believe in the resurrection, and know that if you do God's will, it will be well with you.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/9?lang=eng

Jesus is transfigured on the mountain—He casts out an unclean spirit—He teaches concerning His death and resurrection, who will be greatest, and the condemnation of those who offend His little ones.

Vs 1 There may have been others we don't know about who are translated beings, like John the Beloved is.

Vs 5-6 When we don't know what to say, sometimes we shouldn't say anything.

Vs 7 God the Father delared His Son's divinity.

Vs 23-24 When you really want to believe and seek a blessing from the Lord, ask for help that the Lord might increase your faith.

Vs 28-29 To rebuke evil spirits, we need to be humble and pray and fast.

Vs 35-37 We need to be submissive like a little child and do the will of the Father and serve, if we want to have place in our Father's kingdom.

Vs 38-41 Rejoice when others are on the Lord's side, and do not be chauvenistic about what has been given you. Seek for unity.

Vs 42 There are sore cursings against those who are purposefully leading our children away from the truth.

Vs 50 Make sure that you stay strong and firm in your testimony and in the things that you are allowed to share with others.