Lee

I have a lot of "I've never thought of that in that way" moments in church while listening to preaching. I'm lucky enough to be a member of a church that has amazing trustable preachers. So the last "I've never thought of that in that way" moment was last Sunday. I'll try to explain as best as I possibly can.

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So the preaching revolved around Matthew 16:13-18.
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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My "I've never thought of that in that way" or "I never would've thought about it that way" to be more specific, focuses con verse 18. Jesus says "you are Peter". Peter comes from the greek word "Petros" which means "loose stone". Then, Jesus proceeds to say "and upon this rock I will build my church". What is this rock then? Rock comes from the greek "petra" which means "rocky, firm, strong base that resists construction". So Jesus said, "you are Petros and upon this petra I will build my church".

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Again, what is this rock then? If you read and study the context of Matthew 16:13-18 you'll understand this conclussion. --> The confession that Christ is the Son of the living God is the rock upon which the church will be built.<-- The only rock upon which the church can be built is Jesus. To make this confession one requires wisdom, faith and courage.

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I hope this was a blessing to you as it was to me.

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The Cask of Amontillado

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by Edgar Allan Poe
(published 1846)

THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled --but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.

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It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.

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He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially; --I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.

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It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.

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I said to him --"My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day. But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."

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"How?" said he. "Amontillado, A pipe? Impossible! And in the middle of the carnival!"

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"I have my doubts," I replied; "and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain."

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"Amontillado!"

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"I have my doubts."

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"Amontillado!"

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"And I must satisfy them."

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"Amontillado!"

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"As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If any one has a critical turn it is he. He will tell me --"

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"Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry."

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"And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own.

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"Come, let us go."

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"Whither?"

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"To your vaults."

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"My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement. Luchresi--"

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The rest of the story is here: http://poestories.com/read/amontillado

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