Now Matthew says that from this time Jesus begins to show his disciples that he must
and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
Peter doesn't know it yet, but that is actually what Christ is.
He said the word without knowing what was inside of it.
And again, it points back to us.
See, in a few minutes we're going to stand up and we're going to confess our faith together
in the words of the Nicene Creed.
And we're going to say, I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible,
and in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.
And we'll mean it.
But will we understand it?
Probably not.
There's not a person in this room that grasps the full weight of what we're about to say together.
Further, some of us are going to say it while things are falling apart at home.
Some of us will say it and quietly wonder if all of it's true.
Some of us will say it because it's Sunday morning and that's what we do.
But that's what confession has always looked like.
I mean, remember, Peter got it exactly right.
And before it was all said and done, that same mouth,
the one that the Father filled with a true confession,
stands in a courtyard while Jesus is on trial for his life,
and he gives an oath saying, I do not know the man.
Christ didn't wait for Peter to understand.
Only one man understood what Christ actually meant,
and he was the one saying it on the way to Jerusalem.
He knew exactly what that word would cost.
And he said it anyway.
And he walked into the city,
knowing exactly what was waiting.
And he suffered. He was killed.
And on the third day, he was raised.
That is what the Christ is.
And that's what Peter didn't know yet.
He went to Jerusalem for the mouth that confessed him
and the mouth that denied him.
Same mouth, same man.
Just like ours.
Every service, we come in and admit what we are in confession.
And the answer to that, the only answer that there has ever been,
is this.
Your sins are forgiven.
And it's not because you finally gained enough wisdom,
or because you said the words just right.
It's because Christ took a hold of somebody
who keeps messing it up, and keeps getting it wrong,
and refuses to let go of them.
That's what he did for Peter.
That's what he does for you.
Every sin you carried in here this morning
is forgiven you on account of Jesus Christ,
crucified and risen for you.
That's the rock.
Not on our understanding of it,
not on how well we say it, but on Jesus.
And so we stand up in a minute
and we confess our faith.
We're not being tested.
We're being handed something.
Being handed the same thing that Peter was handed,
a gift from the Father
that's bigger than anyone holding it.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
I invite you to please rise.
Let us confess our faith together
in the words of the Nicene Creed.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible,
and in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God,
the only Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God, begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made,
who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary
and was made man
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He was buried, and the third day
he rose again according to the scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again with glory
to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who is spoken by the prophets,
and I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus
and for all people according to their needs. We pray.
O Lord, grant us an increasing wisdom and knowledge of you
through your word, that our faith may increase
and we remain steadfast in our trust in your promises.
Lord, in your mercy.
O God, give the Church and all her servants
grace to fulfill the ministries to which you have committed them.
Grant the call committee wisdom, endurance, and discernment
as they seek to call the man of your choosing
to be our senior pastor. Lord, in your mercy.
God of compassion, Abraham was only one
when you called him, but you blessed and multiplied him.
Strengthen and sustain mothers with children.
Equip fathers to lead and raise their households
to fear love and trust you. Lord, in your mercy.
Heavenly Father, bless and guide our President,
Congress, Governor, and all civil leaders
that they may faithfully pursue peace and unity in the realm.
Give also to all judges and magistrates wisdom
and the grace to pursue justice with mercy.
Lord, in your mercy.
Lord, our God, you are our life and length of days.
Sustain and strengthen those who suffer sickness and affliction.
Comfort all who mourn,
especially the family of Jim Stockwell,
with the promise of everlasting life in Christ.
Lord, in your mercy.
Righteous Lord, keep us from thinking of ourselves
more highly than we ought, but rather with sober judgment
that we may prepare to receive the gifts of our Lord's table
by which you preserve us holy and blameless
until Christ comes again. Lord, in your mercy.
Be merciful to us, O Lord, and hear our prayers.
Grant to us the grace of your Holy Spirit
that we may be led into all truth
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
You may be seated as we continue our worship
with the gathering of our tithes and offerings.
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Please rise.