Breaking News 2023: God’s Church Will Stand Forever Series

Sermon: Breaking News 2023: God’s Church Will Stand Forever

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 “13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[b] the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit[g] on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Introduction: What is the church according to the Bible? The church is the body of Christ—all the people who accept Christ's gift of salvation and follow Christ's teachings. It is much more than a building. In the Bible, “church” never refers to a building. It always refers to people—the people who follow Jesus Christ. There are many powerful institutions on earth, but one of the most powerful is the body of Christ - the Church. If the body of true believers in Christ can unite as one, there is no institution on earth that can withstand the influence church of Christ. Through the Church, the power and influence of God can invade every government, social status, educational establishment and begin His reign in the hearts of men. The Church will stand forever!

The Body of Christ (not denominations) the fellowship of true believers, the genuine followers of Christ make up the most powerful institution on earth. The church operates in the natural and supernatural realms, empowered by the creator of the universe, with its foundation firmly rooted in Christ, the only begotten Son of God will stand forever. Christ triumph on the cross of Calvary purchased salvation for all and empowered His church forever.

Matt 16:18, "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." Jesus further said in Matt 18:19, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." The church started as a powerful, Holy Ghost inspired body created to fulfil God’s purpose and there is no institution on earth that the creator has given more power and responsibility, any that can do what the Church does.

There is no doubt the church of Christ is entrusted with enormous powers, but for the power of the church to manifest in its fullest extent, there must be an understanding of who Jesus is, and how to manifest the kingdom influence on earth. The household of faith, the Body of Christ must harness, and manifest kingdom power here on earth. Power belongs to God (Psalms 62:11) and He has handed all power to Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18, Col 2:10); who has bestowed this power upon his church (Luke 10:19, Acts 1:18). The early church displayed the power of God because they knew who Jesus was, embraced the authority given them, and were united in their mission. They had all things in common (Acts 2:44, 4:32). They turned the world upside down for Christ (Acts 17:6).

Today, the church seems to be fragmented with different denominations, doctrines, and agendas. We have leaders who even claim the local church as their own. Church groups are guilty of fighting against one another, twisting doctrines to suit human traditions. The early church was limited financially and politically, but rich in the power of God and influence with men. Many ministries are rich today, but the power of God is hardly visible. In the early church, evil and wicked men dare not step into the church because of the power of the Holy Spirit moving in the church but today, there is less reverence for the Church. In Revelations 3:17Jesus said: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked". Many churches today are physically rich but spiritually poor.