Sunday April 4, 2010 Phone: 570.829.5216
Pastor David Miklas e-mail
Message Power & Glory in the Church Text: Matthew 16:13-20
"Upon this ROCK, I will BUILD my CHURCH”
Introduction: God in His infinite wisdom ordained 3 Divine institutions for mankind:
First, the institution of the HOME,
Second, the institution of the CHURCH, and
Third, the institution of HUMAN GOVERNMENT.
It certainly is true, “as goes the HOME so goes the CHURCH” which ought to be an influence upon HUMAN GOVERNMENT. Now having said that, “Just how important is the church to you and to your family?”
Do youwe see the church as a place made up of bricks and mortar?
Do youwe see the church as a body made up of God's people gathering?
In general, pPeople flit about in search of what suits their taste at the moment. Today we have what someone called the "McChurch" mentality.
Today it might be McDonald's for a Big Mac,; tomorrow it's Wendy's, the next day it might be Burger King. Thus, the church becomes just another retail outlet, and faith is just another commodity. People change congregations and preachers and even denominations as readily as they change banks or grocery stores."
Far too many are looking at the church as a spiritual social club, an institution that offers convenient relationships. Bbut certainly does not as an influence on people how to LIVE or what to BELIEVE. We have become more concerned about the personal fulfillment the church can deliver rather thannot in what the church stands for but in the fulfillment it can deliver.
Yet as we search the New Testament the church, the body of God's people, has little to do with slick marketingmarking or fancy facilities. Rather it has everything to do with the people and the Spirit of God in her midst.
Too often we think of a building when we hear (or use) the word “church.” But we need to refresh our thinking biblically – to remember that the Church is a body, not a building. God’s church is, the corporate body of believers that meets in local congregations all around the world.
Many in our culture, – yes, even some Christians are confused about the church. Therefore it is to that end we begin this series of messages on “the “Power and Glory in the Church.” by Christ Jesus.” Our responsibility as believers is to prioritize the spiritual body of Christ aboveover the buildings we erect, so that people are drawn to Him through the beauty of His bride.
For two thousand years, through periods of PERSECUTION and BLESSING, God has sustained His church. Our Song has been:
The church's one foundation, Is Jesus Christ Her Lord;
She is His new creation, By water and the Word;
From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He brought her, And for her life He died.
With tender wisdom and love, God has nurtured and kept the church as the apple of His eye. It is through the church that He has chosen to reveal His Glory to the world. We must ever remember that the primary purpose of the church is found in
Ephesians 3:21, "Unto Him, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus." The church is the proper place forof the "Glory of Almighty God."
As members of the CHURCH of the Lord Jesus Christ, we bear the light of Him Whowho is “'THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." It is He Who has called us "OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT." I am reminded of Psalm 63:1-2 where we read, "O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee...to see THY POWER and GLORY, as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." And yet, not ONCE in this century, has the church in our land experienced in any widespread sense a divine visitation of the POWER AND GLORY OF GOD.
Unless there is a revival within the CHURCH, how can there be evangelism in the world that bringsbringing unsaved men and women and boys and girls to a saving knowledge of Christ?. Oh,. hHow true this statement is:,
"The kingdom of God is not going to advance by our church becoming filled with men, but by men in our church becoming filled with the Holy Spirit."
I sincerely believe that what is true in the physical family, like your family and mine, is also true of the Church. The Psalmist said it for us in Psalms 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." Let's say it this way: "Unless the Lord builds the church they labor in vain who build it."
Never forget that the church with all its faults will stand until Jesus comes again. Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church.
What makes the church invincible from destruction from Satan to the powers of governments? The answer is found in our text from Matthew 16:13-20.
“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. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (20) Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.”
Notice, Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church."
The word CHURCH is used three times in the Gospels and 113 times in the rest of the New Testament. Here is the first mention of the CHURCH in the New Testament.
Jesus is laying the foundation for the church in this passage as we answer the question, “Wthat makes the church invincible?”
First: The church is invincible because of the TRANSFORMED nature of its MEMBERSHIPmembership. By faith when we become a child of God, we become a member of His church, of His body.
In a dramatic scene Jesus asked His disciples in verse 13, "Who do you say that I the Son of man am?" In verse 16 Peter clearly stated the deepest conviction of his soul when he answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" What a statement of faith! Peter confessed belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who is God! The work of the church is proclaiming the gospel where in Romans 1:16 we read, "For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that belieiveth..."
The single most important prerequisite for being a member of the church of the living God is faith in Jesus Christ.
Rembrandt could take a piece of canvas and create a beautiful painting. We call that art.
Shakespeare could write a play on a sheet of paper. We call that genius.
A skilled workman can take a piece of metal, shape it, twist it, moldand mold it, into a thing of beauty. We call that craftsmanship.
But only God in heaven can take a sinner and make a saint! We call that salvation.
The invincible church has a transformed membership.
Second: The church is invincible because it is established upon DIVINE REVELATION. Notice verse 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.”
The true New Testament Church has but ONE BOOK, the BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD, as its' absolute and final authority. That church believes this book to be absolutely infallible, not only in matters pertaining to salvation, but also in matters pertaining to Science, History, Geography, Math, Art and Music. THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.
I remind you this BOOK we call the BIBLE did not originate from men. Its origin is found in God. In II Timothy 3:16 we read, “ALL SCRIPTURE is given by INSPIRATION of God...”
Today, there is a battle for the Bible with new versions and perversions coming on the market. This confuses people as to whichwho one is right. The message of theThey are watering down the Bible is being watered down, changing its meaning and theology to make it POLITICALLY CORRECT. But tThis book doesn't need changing., Iit’s us who need to do the changing as we conform to His standards and His principles and His practices.
I like what someone said, "THERE IS NO REASON TO MAKE CHANGES IN DOCTRINE, IN PRACTICE, OR IN THEOLOGY BECAUSE THE GOD WHO GAVE US HIS DIVINE REVELATION NEVER CHANGES."
Third: The church is invincible because of its DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIPdynamic Relationship to Christ. In verse 18 Jesus made a powerful promise, “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.” The church is invincible because of its dynamic relationship to Jesus Christ.
Number One: First: The church is built ON Christ. Jesus said verse 18 to Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" Here we have a play on words. Jesus said, "You are Peter [petros, a small stone]. On this rock [petra, a gigantic, boulder, or foundation stone], I will build my church." The rock on which the church is built is the person of Christ Himself.
The Apostle Peter told us in I Peter 2:4-6 that Jesus is the chief cornerstone of the church.
The Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 3:11, that no other foundation for the church can be laid except Jesus Christ.
Number Two: Second: The church is built BY Christ. Our Lord said in verse 18, "Upon this rock I will build my church" Not only is the church built on Christ, but the church is built by Christ. Nineteen hundred1900 years ago, as Jesus walked the shores of Galilee, and around the towns and cities of Israel:,
He called forth fishermen like Peter, James, John, and Andrew.
He saved a tax collector named Matthew.
He found a zealot named Simon.
He discovered a woman at the well and gave her the water of life.
Jesus was building His church. It’s in the providence of God that you are living in this century and that you are a member of theyour church. The same Christ who saved Peter, Andrew, James, and John saved you, and placed you in His church that you might serve Him. Since God has placed you in His church, that means at least two things:
First, it means God has a place of service for you. You are to love the church and give yourself TO it as Christ loved the church and gave Himself FOR it.
Second, it means that you and I must love the people of the church.
One day the great British pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon inquired of one why he had not united with the church. The man responded, "I started to join the church, but I looked around, and I saw a hypocrite. I decided not to join." Spurgeon, who had a quick wit replied,
"In the first church the leader, Simon Peter, cursed. One apostle, Thomas, doubted the resurrection. The treasurer, Judas Iscariot, betrayed the Lord. The first church was not perfect! Furthermore, I have never seen a church that is perfect. But, sir if you ever find the perfect church, please do not join, for when you become a member, it will no longer be perfect."
The church is being built by Jesus, and you and I should accept those whom the Lord has placed in His church.
Number Three: Third: The church is successful only THROUGH Jesus'the power of Christ. After Jesus told the disciples He would build a church, He made this statement in verse 18, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This does not refer to the gates of hell attacking the church, rather it refers to the church attacking the gates of Hades.
As the church carries out its evangelistic ministry by sharing the gospel, we batter down the gates of hell and death.
As the church preaches the gospel, we snatch the lost from a burning hell that they would otherwise receive.
Our commission is to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel." The theme song of the church is not "Hold the fort!" but rather, "Onward, Christian Soldiers!"! In striking metaphors, Jesus compared the Christian to light, salt, water, and fire, and He told us that we have the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Now, what can light, salt, water, fire, and keys have in common? Penetration is the one common denominator.
LIGHT penetrates darkness, and it disappears.
SALT penetrates meat and it is preserved.
WATER penetrates the ground, and a harvest springs forth.
A KEYS penetrates a locks, and a doors is are opened., and
And FIRE is dependent on penetration for its very survival.
The church of Jesus Christ is God's penetrating force in our society. As Christians move in society, we are to preach the gospel and bring the world to the foot of the cross so that men and women might know Christ as Lord and Savior. The church is invincible that has this dynamicunique relationship to Christ is invincible.
Fourth: The church is invincible because of the UNIQUE way in which it does its work.
Number OneFirst: In verse 19 we find that a true New Testament church demands hHuman responsibility in carrying out the Great Commission, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Verse 19 does NOT give the divine mandate for the papacy. Peter only claimed to be an Apostle by GIFT and an ELDER by OFFICE. However the KEYS were used in the Book of Acts as a symbol to open the Door of the Gospel to different groups of people, as Peter did to the Jews and as Paul did to the Gentiles.