Introduction

Good morning, Church family! Today, we're going to explore a powerful passage from the book of Matthew, chapter 16, verse 18.

Jesus said to Peter, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it."

Wow, what a declaration! Our theme today centers on understanding the foundation of the Church, its strength, and its purpose.

As we dive into this, let's remember the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "The Church is the Church only when it exists for others…not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others."

Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. As we explore the depths of this Scripture today, open our hearts and minds to fully understand the foundation, strength, and purpose of Your Church. Allow us to see Your vision and guide us in living out Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Foundation of the Church

The foundation of the Church, as we understand from Jesus' words to Peter in Matthew 16:18, is not a physical entity, but a spiritual one. When Jesus said, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church," He was not referring to a literal rock or a physical building. Instead, He was speaking of the spiritual foundation that He would lay down through Peter's confession of faith. This is a significant point to grasp because it is this spiritual foundation that sets the Church apart from any other institution or organization in the world.

The original Greek: The Greek word for Peter is "Petros," which means a small stone or a rock. In contrast, the Greek word used for rock in the latter part of the verse is "Petra," which refers to a large rock or a foundation. Jesus was making a play on words here, indicating that Peter, the small rock, was part of a larger foundation, the Petra. This foundation is the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is upon this truth that the Church is built.

The recognition and confession of who Jesus is: It is the acknowledgment of His divinity, His lordship, and His saving power. This is the bedrock upon which every aspect of the Church stands. Without this foundation, the Church would crumble, for it is Jesus who gives the Church its identity, its purpose, and its mission.

A continuous affirmation of faith: It is a daily surrender to the lordship of Jesus and a constant reliance on His saving grace. The Church, then, is not just a gathering of people who believe in Jesus, but a community of believers who continually affirm their faith in Him and surrender their lives to His lordship.

Collective faith: It is about a community of believers coming together, united by their common faith in Jesus. This unity is crucial because it is through this unity that the Church stands strong against the forces of evil. As Jesus said, "the gates of Hell will not overcome it." The Church, built on the foundation of Jesus, is an unstoppable force against the powers of darkness.

It’s about transformation: When we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are not just saying words; we are being transformed. We are being built into a spiritual house, as Peter himself would later write in 1 Peter 2:5. This transformation is not just personal but communal. The Church, as a whole, is being transformed into the likeness of Christ, reflecting His love, His grace, and His truth to the world.

It's about mission: Built on the rock of Jesus, the Church is called to carry out His mission in the world. This mission is to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). The Church, therefore, is not just a place of worship; it is a place of mission. It is a launching pad for the gospel to reach the ends of the earth.

The Strength of the Church

When Jesus declared to Peter, "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it," He was not merely speaking of physical strength ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO