The Role of Christ in the Church

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 plays the key role in the divine plan of human history. He worked as a person when He was on the earth; He works even today through the invisible body of Christ – the church. We see the connection between Christ and church throughout the New Testament. The metaphors used for the role of Christ in the church are,

1. Shepherd and sheep (The fold of God) – Acts 20:28-29
2. Bridegroom and Bride (The Bride of Christ) – Ephesians 5:23-32
3. Head and Body (The Body of Christ) – 1 Cor. 12:12-27
4. Cornerstone and Building (The temple of God) – Eph 2:19-22
5. Vine and Branches (John 15:1-5)

The word church is found in Matthew 16:18 for the first time in the Bible – which is not a building or denomination. The word Ekklesia (Ek – out of; Kaleo – Called) means a group of people whom God chose for Himself to be His witnesses. I thank God that you are that group God has chosen you before the foundation of the earth. God executes the following through the church

• Redemption to the humanity
• Blessing to the nations
• Witnesses to the world
• Transformation and peace to the world

The church is the physical presence of Jesus to the lost world (hands and feet of Jesus). A revived church is the only hope to the lost world. A sleeping church cannot do anything for Christ. 

To tell about the passage – The disciple were probably absolute happy of being with Jesus. They spent about 3 years with Jesus – No problems – Miracles everywhere – Witnessing wonders – Deliverance everywhere – They were able to do the same – They were seen as heroes in the society. Caesarea Philippi is the junction where Jesus started sharing His original purpose of coming to the earth. The death on the cross or end of Jesus’ life was never expected by disciples so that Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting about His death (vv21-23). A comfortable lifestyle and honor from people nobody wanted to give it up. The passage we read talks about the role of Christ in the church.

1. Christ Redeemed the Church (vv.13-17)

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.

The conversation between Christ and Peter is seen here. Peter used a specific word by knowingly or unknowingly. He said Jesus as “Messiah” – Means Christ in Greek (the anointed one). In Jewish concept they were expecting a “Messiah” who would come and deliver the people from the political oppression of people. Jews were always under slavery – captivity and oppression, they were expecting a Messiah who would come and deliver the people from all oppression. BUT Jesus was not a political Messiah who would deliver them from political problems but the Spiritual savior – who deliver the people from all sin and bondage. 

People persuaded Jesus as John the Baptist (Reformer) or Elijah / Jeremiah (Prophets) but Peter and disciples understood He is something greater than the Old Testament heroes and John the Baptist. Christ is the Redeemer of the Church – He redeems and delivers people from inside (Salvation). We see the purpose of Jesus’ arrival as follows in the scriptures.

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Acts 20:28 - Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Pet 1:18-19 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Since Christ redeemed the church, we must proclaim the redemption of Christ. He is not a Jewish messiah but Redeemer of the world – delivers people from sin and darkness. Jesus in v.17 appreciated Peter by saying, “for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven,” It is the revelation of God to understand the redeeming nature of Christ. Even though peter did not realize it but it was the revelation of God to confess Jesus as “Messiah.”

Even today Jesus redeems people from the bondage of sin, darkness, sickness, infirmities, troubles and problems people face in day to day life. Mr. Panneerselvam’s family got redeemed through Jesus and they became witnesses. His sons are pasturing churches.

2. Christ Builds the Church (v.18a)

“On this Rock I will build my Church.” – Who builds the church? Many times pastors claim that the church belong to them. It is Jesus who builds the church for Himself – it is He who adds believers into the church – It is the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts the believers to accept Jesus as their savior.

1 Cor. 12:3 - No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:47 - And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 16:5 - So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

The church is built by the Lord – all the ministries we involve are vain if the Lord does not work in their hearts. There were 3000 added to the church in the day of Pentecost. Christ is the architect in building the church (Universal Church). We preach and proclaim the good news but the believers are added only through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Bro Jesudass was a devotee of a Hindu god Ayyappan – once my father met him while he was dedicated his life for the pilgrimage and said “Brother Jesus Loves You.” That word troubled him throughout that day and made him to be restless. The next week he went for the pilgrimage as walk and did all the rituals. He returned to the shop where he met my dad and enquired about furthermore. He was led to the Lord by sharing the gospel – now he is ministering the Lord in his native place.

It is unimaginable how the Lord works to add people unto himself – it is certain that Christ even works today. He builds the spiritual house through the believers (Living Stones) 1 Pet 2:4-8. The role of Christ in the church is that he builds his church amidst of oppositions and powers of darkness. Our role as believers - don’t stop spreading the gospel and don’t claim church as yours.

3.  Christ Protects the Church (vv18b-19)

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, 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.”

The promise of Christ to the church is “Hell has no right over the people of God. As the people of God Heaven on the one hand rejoices over the person’s repentance (Luke 15:7, 10), and Hell is bothered about the lost of a person. The Bible assured about the trials of the believers but assures the protection of Christ to endure in the trials. Following are few Bible verses that speaks about the protection of Christ in the church,

John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

I Pet 5:8-9 - ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The spiritual conflict is absolutely true for the church, but the promise of Christ is that He protects the church. 

·         He prayed for the faith of Peter (Luke 22:32)

·         He intercedes for the Believers (Hebrews 7:25)

·         He prayed for the protection of the believers (John 17:11-16) 

John 17:11-16 -  ¹¹  I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

The promise of Christ is that “The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church.” 

v.19 another promise is given whatever the church/believers bind on earth will be bound eternally and whatever being released will be released eternally. The church got the chance to BIND and RELEASE. The church can make impact for eternity – Christ has given us authority to BIND the works of devil and RELEASE people from demonic bondage and people oppressed with darkness. As much as you are protected by Jesus so also you can protect people from demonic oppression for eternity. The power is within the reach of the church to protect and be protected. Christ protects the church and in turn we must exercise the authority of protecting the new believers and people in oppression.

Conclusion:

Christ as the savior of the church does His role in the church

1.      He Redeemed the church

2.      He Builds the church

3.      He Protects the Church

Are you doing your role as a pastor/believer/leader. Examine yourself God is calling to be the co-builder of the church. He calls to protect the people who are under your care. God bless you!