The Keys of the Kingdom

Sermon preached by Matthew DelValle on March 29, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Baptist Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is an evangelical church in Delphi, Indiana helping people find and follow Jesus. Our mission is to declare God's truth, disciple God's people, delight in God's Son, and display God's glory. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:30am. Sunday School begins at 9:30am. We gather at 103 S. Indiana Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923.

Learn more about First Baptist Church.

Read our Statement of Faith.

Introduction

Big Idea: Christ gives his church the authority to represent heaven on earth by declaring the true gospel and affirming its true confessors.

1. The Keys Given: The Source of Authority [Mt. 16:19]

A. The Giver of the Keys

B. The Recipients of the Keys

2. The Keys Defined: The Nature of Authority [Mt. 16:19]

A. What Binding and Loosing Do Not Mean

B. What Binding and Loosing Do Mean

3. The Keys Used: The Exercise of Authority [Mt. 16:19]

A. By Declaring the True Gospel (the “what”) [Gal. 1:6–9]

B. By Affirming the True People (the “who”) [Mt. 18:15–20; 1 Cor. 5]

4. The Keys Affirmed: The Confirmation of Authority [Mt. 16:19–20]

A. The Authority Is Real Yet Limited

B. The Authority Is Bound to Scripture

C. The Authority Is Exercised by the Church

Conclusion

A. Guard the Gospel Carefully

B. Take Membership and Accountability Seriously

C. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus Confidently