My Church Series

Message - He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock.

This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

"And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."

I love this!

Jesus makes a declaration that HE is putting together HIS Church (body of believers) that will commit to live boldly & effectively for His glory.

I mean, what did HE truly come to do?

Kick devil hiney!!!

Let really look at this declaration a little this morning.

I. Who was HE talking to…

Matthew 16:15-16 NLT Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The “them” was the disciples that were following Him.

Luke 9:23-24 CEV Then Jesus said to all the people: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.

See, Jesus, the Father, & Holy Spirit knew that the church could do the task at hand, but they would have to understand that the selfish nature of man would never submit to what it takes to serve in the local church.

Matthew 10:37-39 NCV "Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers.

Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life.

Peter’s declaration was speaking from his spirit & not his carnal self-nature. The most difficult battle the Lord knew would have to be one in His followers is the one with our self!

Look at the next part of His statement in our scriptures today.

II. The Rock Established…

Matthew 16:18a NLT Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church…

What can we gather that the “Rock” really was to establish?

Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am.

This was the founding declaration to establish the beginning of the church on earth.

Jesus knew HE had to impart the God-purpose into people in order for HIS church to be all that He intended.

Some well meaning, church attending, & bible reading people have not had the established “Rock Experience” yet in their life.

You see, this was the founding belief that would serve later to bring Peter back into focus with Jesus after a very serious trial in his life.

And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock.

What was Jesus saying? You are connected to me by that settled belief that you have connected to from heaven!

We must grab hold of the significance of that declaration today if we are going to participate in what God has truly called each of us to do!

III. World Changing Church…

Then Jesus begins to broaden the mission & vision of His purpose for coming to this earth as a man.

This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

WOW! You let a person get the real revelation of that purpose & power & there will never be a problem with them serving in Jesus’ local church.