Matthew 16

v1-4: The Pharisees and Sadducees demands a sign, pretending that if one was provided they would be satisfied and convinced.  The truth was that they had already received plenty of signs.  We have been given enough to accept Jesus is who He says He is and to trust Him with our lives.

v5-12: Jesus warns His disciples that they should have nothing to do with men like the Pharisees and Sadducees.  “Disciples are in most danger from hypocrites; they stand on their guard against those who are openly immoral, but against Pharisees, who lay great claim to devotion, and Sadducees, who pretend to be freely and impartially searching for truth, they are often unguarded.”  We need to hear the double warning of watch out and beware of those teachers who have similar motives.

v13-20: The church will have enemies who will fight against it and try to bring about its ruin.  These enemies fight against it by "opposing Gospel truths, corrupting Gospel worship, persecuting good ministers and good Christians, drawing or driving them away, persuading them by cunning or forcing them by cruelty to do what is inconsistent with the pure Christian faith.”  Jesus’ promise assures us that His church is secure and will be preserved and that these enemies will not be victorious.  "The church may be thwarted in particular battles, but in the main war it will win as more than a conqueror."

v21-23: Satan tempts us with the words of friends when they seek to dissuade us from doing our duty.  If we try and stop others from doing or suffering for God what they are called to, we are doing Satan’s bidding.

v24-28: A disciple of Christ is one who comes after Him.  They walk in the same way He walked, are led by His Spirit, follow in His steps, and submit to His leadership.  "A true disciple of Christ is one who follows him in duty and will follow him to glory.  A disciple follows Christ and does not dictate to Christ.  A disciple of Christ follows him as sheep follow the shepherd, servants their master, soldiers their commander; disciples aim at the same purpose that Christ had, the glory of God and the glory of heaven."