April 15, 2021

Matthew 16:16-19 “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’) and upon this rock I will build my church, an all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.’”

Here is another poem by my grandpa. It had the Matthew 16 verses referenced with the poem. Hope this encourages you as the Body of Christ in what we are called to do.

We, the Church by Russell J. Mathre
As we teach the Word of God
We must keep the signals clear
As the preacher brings the message
He must do it without fear.

What are the signals we must know
As we tell of Christ our Lord?
Who is this Christ who came to earth
Is the Bible God’s own word?

Some make mistake in answering
For Christ they do not know.
But who is Christ? He asks of us
Why did He come below?

He is God’s Son who one time died
And yet from death arose.
And we in Him may also live
The life which He bestows.

If we the scripture would divide
And bring its truth to bear
On lives that God entrusts to us
We must study with much prayer.

To lead the children on the way
‘Tis we who set the pace.
So we must lead with sights set high
Yet rusting in God’s grace.

Are we the church of Jesus Christ
With power to win the fight?
Then let’s go forward at His word
And trusting in His might.