The Nature of the Church

Passage: Matthew 16:13-20

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Church is the Key word used in the New Testament 115 times; Jesus used it for three times in the gospel of Matthew (16:18; 18:17). The word “Ekklesia” referring to people who are called out from the word for special purpose (1 Pet 2:9). Church as per many people thinking is NOT a building / denomination / a locality / an alternate plan of God to restore humanity. Church is the centerpiece of the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 16 – we see about the ministry of Jesus getting a new shift at “Caesarea Philippi” v.21 says “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Earlier in the gospel Jesus preached about the “Kingdom of God” and performed miracles in supportive of that. From this passage on wards Jesus spoke more about his suffering and death or the purpose of His coming – the cross.

The nature of the church being explained in the passage very clearly – we will be looking into it and how far it is been realized in our lives. Church is Vision (Revelation of God) – Church is Vigorous (Dynamic) – Church is Victorious (Overcoming)

1.      CHURCH IS VISION (REVELATION) OF GOD (vv.13-17)

To understand the nature of the church one must understand the nature of the one who found it. It is Christ Jesus – He purchased the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28 - Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood) we can never show ownership of the church because it is Christ’s church. The question in this passage is “Who is Christ?”

·         Sometimes people asked in doubt “Is He the Christ?” (John the Baptist - Mat 11:3)

·         Sometimes people asked in terror “Who are you Lord?” (Paul – Act 9:5)

·         Jesus asked “Who do people say I am?”  (Mat 16:13)

·         Jesus asked to his disciples “Who do you say I am?” (Mat 16:15)

Peter answered “You are the Christ – The son of Living God” (16:16). Jesus said it is not revealed by flesh and blood but the father who is in heaven “REVEALED” it to him. To understand church and the God of Bible you cannot do it by human intention and perseverance. It has to be revealed to us by God – all the religions in the world trying to find God by their efforts and ends up in failure but the God of the Bible reveal Himself to the people.

Natural person cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). Paul says about the church in Ephesians 3:2-6 “The mystery made known to me by revelation.” Have you ever wonder why people of great esteem and knowledge are not able to understand the simple things in the gospel or the fact about the church – it is the revelation of God which he has to reveal – otherwise it will be hidden to them.

Jesus replied in v.17, “¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

We are the people who got this revelation from God and became part of it. Never think low of yourself, your situations and status. You are the people who got the revelation of the almighty God, your physical condition does not matter to determine your worth and value. Even though you may be worthless but we are worth because of the revelation he has given us – King Edward and the Potter – it is because of the hand print of the King the pot went in auction as 1lakhs pounds. It is the touch and the revelation of God determines your worth of who you are.

Church is the Vision or Revelation of God which He has to reveal to the people. Pray that many may understand the supernatural nature of the church and come to know the Lord.

2.      CHURCH IS VIGOROUS (POWERFUL/DYNAMIC) IN NATURE (V.18a)

Jesus then replied to peter in v.18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” The church of Jesus Christ is built in Rock – Church by its nature is Strong and Powerful. Many emperors and Kings tried to eliminate church from the face of the earth. But all of them failed, the church stands still.Rock in the Old Testament refers to God (Ps 18:2) – Jehovah is my Rock. Many people interpret this verse in different ways,

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to Peter the Apostle (Roman Catholics)

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to Jesus Christ

·         Some believe “This Rock” refers to the confession of Peter

It is clear that “The Rock” refers to something supernatural and strong. Jesus said to be the “Cornerstone” of the church and apostles as pillars (Eph 2:19-22). Jesus’ illustration of building houses in Rock and Sand (Mat 7:24-27), a house that had the foundation in the rock is strong and did not fall on any calamities. Church is built on the rock and that is strong, you cannot destroy or demolish the church. Jesus said in Matthew 21:44, “Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

You may have the question – Why I am not able to experience (or activate) the power of church within me? I don’t feel that the church is powerful enough to withstand the trials. Someone said “Church is a sleeping giant.” People take advantage of the people of God because we are not active enough to change the world and the society. As long as a giant is in sleep mode there is no use of anything to anybody. Once it wakes up with its full potential – all power of evil will be driven out from our land. 

The church by its nature is powerful and dynamic – it is we ourselves have to activate the power of God to change the society with the gospel of Jesus. The power of church changed the nation Korea (where 40 police stations were closed down because there was no crime for a year), church made change in the Thailand where thousands of red light areas were closed down. Many social evils in our country have been brought out as the result of evangelization. The church has the same power today – the call is wake up and shine for the Lord.

3.      CHURCH IS VICTORIOUS (VV 18B-19) IN NATURE

¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Something that tries to overpower the church is the Kingdom of Darkness (Eph 6: 12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms)

It is not the political party or some ideologies in India that tries to stop the gospel of Christ. Whenever gospel is preached – people get saved – the kingdom of darkness loses its power. Satan acts through these people to stop the works of the Lord. But the good news is church by its nature is victorious and overcoming one. “The gates of Hades” will not overcome it.

“Gates of Hades” – refers to the abode of Satan just like the “Kingdom of God” refers to the dwelling place of God. The terms “White House Report” refers to the word of the president of United States. The term “Buckingham Palace says” means the word of the Queen to the British people. The term “Rashtrapathi Bhavan Says” means the word of the President of India so also the term “Gates of Hades” refers to the plans and agendas of Satan which can never overcome the Church – because it is promised to overcome it – the church is called to be victorious. The mission of the church can never be failed, Satan is already defeated.

The authority of the church/believers is over the power of darkness. You don’t need to be afraid of them – whatever you bind on earth will be bound for eternity (in heaven) whatever you release on earth will be released for eternity (in heaven). The ministry you do will make eternal impact on the people and eternal doom to Satan. My experience with my uncles house some years ago where the power of darkness was overcame by the power of God.

1 John 4:4, “You, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

Rev 12:11, “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

Don’t ever discouraged of the temporary failures and oppositions, the church is called to be victorious – doesn’t matter how weak you are but you are called to overcome the power of darkness. The kingdom of darkness is in fear of you because you are victorious.

Summary:

The church,

·         Is the Vision (Revelation) of God

·         Is Vigorous (Powerful) in nature

·         Is Victorious in nature

Don’t ever be dismayed of the problems and difficulties. This is the church Jesus is talking about “I Will Build My Church.” May God Bless You!