The Key of the Preaching of the Gospel

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Matthew 16; Lord's Day 31
Psalters: 10, 351, 149, 139
  1. The concept.
    1. Our Lord uses a figure of speech concerning a walled city with closed gates, locked and unlocked by keys.
      1. The keys unlock and open in order to admit or to put out; or to lock in order to keep out or keep in.
      2. The spiritual reality is called “the kingdom of heaven.”
    2. Jesus is the Head of the church, its King and the Door (John 10:9).
      1. Only He knows who are the citizens of the kingdom: given to Him in election and the ones for whom He died.
      2. Thus He holds the keys (Isa. 22:22 with Rev. 1:18; 3,7,8).
    3. Christ exercises the keys through the instrumentality of the Apostles and the elders (Matt. 18:18; John 20:23; Heb. 13:17).
      1. The Apostolic authority was transferred to the elders they ordained in every city.
      2. The authority of elders is implied is a few ways.
      3. The keys exercise a spiritual (not a physical) power by pronouncing what the Bible teaches.
  2. The key of the faithful preaching of the pure doctrines of the gospel.
    1. The primary task of the elders is to watch over the spiritual well-being of the souls of the congregation by the preaching.
    2. Preaching is the authoritative proclamation of the truth of God’s Word.
      1. The content of the preaching is that found in Scripture.
      2. The nature of the preaching is that it must be believed and obeyed.
  3. The power of this key is that it opens and shuts the kingdom of heaven (Canons III,IV – 17).
    1. Because the key is spiritual (not physical), so its power is spiritual: the simple explanation of what the Word teaches.
      1. God alone forgives and condemns, and all the church does is declare the character of those forgiven and not forgiven.
      2. Christ works the experience of being drawn in those who hear, while others are offended by the Word.
    2. God begins, continues, and perfects His work of grace by means of the preaching of the gospel (Canons V - 14).
      1. God uses the hearing and reading of His Word, along with the meditation thereon to works His undeserved love in us.
      2. He uses the exhortations, threatenings, and promises of the gospel as His means to speak and prick us.
    3. In this world the church must be as a fortress.
      1. We need a strong gate (faithful preaching) and good watchmen/guards (faithful elders and preachers).
      2. We must attend to the faithful preaching with all readiness of mind.