Two Anglican parishes and the Diocese of Niagara have been in court recently to try to sort out the messy business of who ultimately owns church property. The two Niagara churches, along with eight more across the country, have recently voted to leave the Anglican Church of Canada and put themselves under the authority of a conservative South American bishop. The dissident churches believe the Canadian Church is drifting too far toward liberalism and they are particularly upset over the issue of same-sex blessings. For the Anglican Church of Canada the issue has been the denomination relating to the culture. (Charles Lewis, National Post. Published: Friday, February 29, 2008)
When Jesus took His disciples to Gentile territory, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, they were about 120 miles from Jerusalem in the northern part of Palestine. The region was strongly identified with various religions: It had been a center for Baal worship; the Greek god Pan had shrines there; and Herod the Great had built a temple there to honor Augustus Caesar. It was in the midst of this pagan superstition that Peter confessed Jesus as the Son of God. And it was probably within sight of Caesar’s temple that Jesus announced a surprise: He would not yet establish His kingdom, but He would build His church. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
When you think of your role in the Kingdom of God, how do you think you fit? Do you see yourself as a part of something, or having a private spirituality? Do you think that you build a ministry, a participant or a spectator? The answers to these questions determine what you see as the role of Christ and your interaction with Him. They are fundamentally important in determining what you do, and what you expect.
In Matthew 16:18–20 Jesus points to seven features and characteristics of the church that He builds. He speaks of its 1) Foundation, its 2) Certainty, its 3) Intimacy, its 4) Identity and Continuity, its 5) Invincibility, its 6) Authority, and its 7) Spirituality.
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural:
1) Foundation: Matthew 16:18a
Matthew 16:18a [18]And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock (I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it).
Although entire religions have been built around this verse, I am going to focus on the words that Jesus used. Peter is from petros, a masculine form of the Greek word for small stone, whereas rock is from petra, a different form of the same basic word, referring to a mountain.
• Perhaps the most popular interpretation is therefore that Jesus was comparing Peter, a small stone, to the great mountainous rock on which Jesus Himself would build His church.
Please turn to Eph. 2
These Jewish men, steeped in Old Testament Scripture, recognized the rock as a symbol of God. “He is the Rock, His work is perfect” (Deut. 32:4). “The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress” (Ps. 18:2). “For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God?” (Ps. 18:31) (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
In his letter to Ephesus Paul says that God’s household is
Ephesians 2:19-21 [19]So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20]built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21]in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (ESV)
How then does this relate to Peter? In all four gospel accounts Peter is dearly the leading apostle, and he remains so through Acts 10. He was most often the Twelve’s spokesman during Jesus’ earthly ministry (see, e.g., Matt. 15:15; 19:27; John 6:68), and he was the chief preacher, leader, and worker of miracles in the early years of the church (see, e.g., Acts 1:15–22; 2:14–40; 3:4–6, 12–26; 5:3–10, 15, 29). He was first (Mt. 10:2) among equals.
• It therefore seems that in the present passage Jesus addressed Peter as representative of the Twelve. In light of that interpretation, the use of the two different forms of the Greek for rock would be explained by the masculine petros being used of Peter as an individual man/ and petra being used of him as the representative of the larger group.
Please turn to Acts 2
It was not on the apostles themselves, much less on Peter as an individual, that Christ built His church/, but on the apostles as His uniquely appointed, endowed, and inspired teachers of the gospel. The early church did not give homage to the apostles as persons, or to their office or titles, but to their doctrine:
Acts 2:41-42 [41]So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. [42]And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (ESV)
Now over to Acts 3
When the Jews outside the Temple were astonished at the healing of the crippled man, Peter quickly warned them not to credit him with the miracle:
Acts 3:12-15 [12]And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? [13]The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. [14]But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15]and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. (ESV)
Jesus had given Simon the new name of Peter (John 1:42) which means “a stone.” The Aramaic form is Cephas, which also means “a stone.” Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ and confesses Him as the Son and God and Savior, is a “living stone” (1 Peter 2:5, NASB) (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
1 Peter 2:4-5 [4]As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5]you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6]For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." (ESV)
• In this passage we have all the elements of the Rock: The Rock first and foremost is Christ, the cornerstone. He is the foundation of faith. This is the message of Peter who Jesus is addressing (play on words with his name), the apostles in general and all those who follow who profess this truth. This is the cornerstone, foundation and spiritual house that is built.
1 Corinthians 3:11 [11]For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (ESV)
• The Lord builds the church on the truth of Himself, and because His people are inseparable from Him they are inseparable from His truth. And because the apostles were endowed with His truth in a unique way, by their preaching of that truth they were the foundation of His church in a unique way.
• The rock imagery implies both stability and endurance (cf. 7:24–25) (Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33B: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 14-28. Word Biblical Commentary (471). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.)
The strength of something rests in its foundation:
Illustration: Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel: The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was given the challenge of building the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, one of the most earthquake-prone cities in the world. Wright’s investigation showed that a solid foundation could be “floated” on a sixty-foot layer of soft mud underlying the hotel, which would provide a shock-absorbing but solid support for the immense building. Shortly after the hotel was completed it withstood the worst earthquake in fifty-two years, while lesser buildings fell in ruins around it. (Today in the Word, March 1989, p. 6. in Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation
2) Certainty: Matthew 16:18b
Matthew 16:18b [18](And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock) I will build my church, (and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it).
The idea is that He would continue to build His church just as He had always done.
• This is in the progressive future tense of the Greek, thus it could read that Christ is saying that “I shall continue to build” my Church. God Himself has always been the builder of His church (KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (1927). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Jesus was not emphasizing the time of His building but its certainty. No matter how liberal, fanatical, ritualistic, apathetic, or apostate its outward adherents may be, and no matter how decadent the rest of the world may become, Christ will build His church. Therefore, no matter how oppressive and hopeless their outward circumstances may appear from a human perspective, God’s people belong to a cause that cannot fail.
• Christ declared that He alone builds the church, and no matter how well intentioned he may be, anyone else who attempts to build it is competing with, not serving, the Lord.
• By human reason, persuasiveness, and diligence it is possible to win converts to an organization, a cause, a personality, and to many other things. But it is totally impossible to win a convert to the spiritual church of Jesus Christ apart from the sovereign God’s own Word and Spirit. Human effort can produce only human results./ God alone can produce divine results.
When someone studies and is obedient to the Word, and when an individual walks in the Spirit and produces the fruit of the Spirit, a believer can be sure he is living where Christ is building His church. It is not faithful believers who build Christ’s church, but Christ who builds His church through faithful believers.
• Wherever His people are committed to His kingdom and His righteousness the Lord builds His church.
• If believers in one place become cold or disobedient, Christ does not stop building but simply starts work somewhere else.
Please turn to Acts 2
How does this all happen. Jesus said:
John 6:37 [37]All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (ESV)
• People come to Christ because they are given to Him by God the father.
At Pentecost, Peter declared that from among both Jews and Gentiles, Christ builds into His church:
Acts 2:39 [39]For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (ESV)
It was not the apostles but the Lord Himself who:
Acts 2:46-47 [46]And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47]praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV) (cf. 11:24).
Now finally over to Chapter 13
When the Gentiles of Pisidian Antioch heard the preaching of Paul and Barnabas:
Acts 13:48-49 [48]And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. [49]And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. (ESV)
Are you a Builder or a Wrecker?
Poem:A Builder Or a Wrecker
As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell
I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled,
And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?”
He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need.”
“I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do.”
And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?
Or am I a wrecker who walks to town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
“O Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!”
(Galaxie Software. (2002; 2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press.)
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation, 2) Certainty
3) Intimacy: Matthew 16:18c
Matthew 16:18c [18](And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build) my church, (and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it)
Third, Jesus alluded to the intimacy of the fellowship of believers. He said that “it is My church,”
As Architect, Builder, Owner, and Lord of His church, Jesus Christ assures His followers that they are His personal possession and eternally have His divine love and care. That is why he gives the responsibility to the elders to:
Acts 20:28 [28]Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (ESV)
Believers are one with Him in a marvelous, holy intimacy:
1 Corinthians 6:17 [17]But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. (ESV)
There is a tremendous potential for being one spirit in Christ for a local church:
Quote: The “Small” Church
Carl S. Dudley wrote: “In a big world, the small church has remained intimate. In a fast world, the small church has been steady. In an expensive world, the small church has remained plain. In a complex world, the small church has remained simple. In a rational world, the small church has kept feelings. In a mobile world, the small church has been an anchor. In an anonymous world, the small church calls us by name”. (Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed.) (702). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
• That is why Christ is not ashamed to call believers brothers and sisters in Him (Heb. 2:11).
When people attack God’s people they attack God Himself. When Jesus confronted Paul (then known as Saul) on the Damascus road:
Acts 9:4 [4]And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (ESV) (see 8:3; 9:1–2)
God has always identified Himself with His people and jealously guarded them as His own. He several times referred to His chosen people Israel as the apple, or pupil, of His eye. Through the prophet Zechanah He declared to them, “He who touches you, touches the apple of His eye” (Zech. 2:8; cf. Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8; Prov. 7:2). The front part of the eye, the cornea, is the most sensitive exposed part of the human body God was therefore saying that to harm Israel was to figuratively poke a finger in God’s own eye. To harm God’s people is to harm God Himself, and to cause them pain is to cause Him pain.
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation, 2) Certainty
3) Intimacy,
4) Identity and Continuity: Matthew 16:18d
Matthew 16:18d [18](And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my) church, (and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it)
Fourth, Jesus emphasized the identity and continuity of His people. They are His church. Places in scripture (Acts 7:38 etc) discuss the nature of the “Called out” people of God in the Old Covenant, this is the first occurrence of this important word in the New Testament.
It is the Greek word ekklesia from which we get our English word “ecclesiastical,” referring to things that pertain to the church. The literal meaning is “a called-out assembly.” The word is used 114 times in the New Testament and in 90 of these references, a local church (assembly) is in view. However, in this first use of ekklesia, it seems likely that Jesus had the whole church in mind. He was not just building a local assembly/, but a universal church composed of all who make the same confession of faith that Peter made (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.).
In a theological sense, scripture distinguishes between the church militant, here on earth, and the church triumphant, in heaven. Yet each are part of the one and the same body of Christ.
In describing the inhabitants of heaven, the writer of Hebrews speaks of:
Hebrews 12:23 [23]and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (ESV)
• In the Church, Jesus Christ would unite believing Jews and Gentiles and form a new temple, a new body (Eph. 2:11–3:12). In His church, natural distinctions would be unimportant (Gal. 3:28). Jesus Christ would be the Builder of this church, the Head of this church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
This was the plan of God the Father:
Ephesians 1:22 [22]And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, (ESV)
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation, 2) Certainty
3) Intimacy, 4) Identity and Continuity
5) Invincibility: Matthew 16:18e
Matthew 16:18e [18](And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my) church), and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it
Fifth, Jesus spoke of the invincibility of the church, which the gates of Hell/Hades shall not prevail against it/overpower.
The gates of Hell/Hades has often been interpreted as representing the evil forces of Satan attacking the church of Jesus Christ. Hades is simply “the realm of the dead.” It holds the spirits of the unsaved dead and releases them at the resurrection (Rev. 20:13;). According to Jesus, hades is down (Matt. 11:23), and it is a prison to which Jesus holds the keys (Rev. 1:18) (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books).
• As a figure of speech, it is a metonymy which represents Satan and his legions (William Hendriksen: Matthew: New Testament Commentary. Baker Book House Reprinted, 2004. p. 649).
“Gates” represent, in the Bible, authority and power. The city gate was to a Jew what city hall is to people in the Western world. Important business was transacted at the city gate (Deut. 16:18; 17:8; Ruth 4:11). “The gates of hell/hades” then would symbolize the organized power of death and Satan. By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ would conquer death, so that death would not be able to hold any of His people. Christ would “storm the gates” and deliver the captives! (1 Corinthians 15:50ff; Hebrews 2:14–15). (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
When the terms gates and Hell/Hades are properly understood, it becomes clear that Jesus was declaring that death has no power to hold God’s redeemed people captive. Its gates are not strong enough to prevail against/overpower (kattschuô, to have mastery over) and keep imprisoned the church of God, whose Lord has conquered sin and death on her behalf (Rom. 8:2; cf. Acts 2:24).
Romans 8:2 [2]For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (ESV)
Christ’s ultimate victory over Satan’s power of death is so certain that the writer of Hebrews speaks of it in the past tense:
Hebrews 2:14 [14]Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (ESV)( cf. Rev. 1:18).
In putting the resurrection of Jesus Christ, what we celebrated a few weeks back, into perspective, please turn to 1 Cor. 15.
It is the truth about which Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers who were wavering in their belief in the resurrection. He declared;
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 [54]When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [55]"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"[56]The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57]But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV) (Acts 2:24).
Poem: In the midst of the battle the Christian soldier knows:
“Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus, Constant will remain; Gates of hell can never ‘Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail”. (Sabine Baring-Gould in William Hendriksen: Matthew: New Testament Commentary. Baker Book House Reprinted, 2004. p. 649).
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation, 2) Certainty
3) Intimacy, 4) Identity and Continuity 5) Invincibility
6) Authority: Matthew 16:19
Matthew 16:19 [19]I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
The you in this passage is singular. Jesus was directly addressing Peter first of all. Although there are implications for the rest of the apostles and all believers in general, there were immediate implications for Peter (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson study Bible : New King James Version. Includes index. (Mt 16:19). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
What then was Jesus referring to in regards to having keys? A key is a badge of authority (Isa. 22:15, 22; Luke 11:52). No one on earth carries the keys to heaven! (All of the jokes about “St. Peter at the gate” stem from this misunderstanding. They are both unbiblical and in bad taste.) We use keys to open doors. Peter was given the privilege of opening “the door of faith” to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2), to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14ff), and to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
• Peter, remarkably fulfilled in his being the first to admit both Jews and Gentiles into the Church; thus using the power of the keys to open the door of salvation (Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures : Matthew (298). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
• The other Apostles shared this authority (Matt. 18:18), and Paul had the privilege of “opening the door of faith” to the Gentiles outside of Palestine (Acts 14:27) (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire ’BE’ series"--Jkt. (Mt 16:13). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
• By preaching the exclusive nature of faith Peter was opening the doors to some (Acts 2:38-39; 3:16-20; 4:12; 10:34-35) and closing them to others (3:23).
• This privilege was related to the objective realities of faith that is based on truth. That is why this passage in Matthew 16 is in “the neuter whatever (is bound or loosed); it does not say “whomever.” In other words this is referring (to the presentation of truth )and judgments that will be made as to actions that are permitted and those forbidden based on the truth of the word of God. This also suits the idea of keys, which simply refers to authority (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (Mt 16:19). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
• Said another way: “Whatsoever you forbid on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatsoever you permit on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven” (v. 19, »f£).
o The church does not tell heaven what to do, but obeys on earth what heaven commands the church to do!” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (63). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.)
The Lord was still addressing Peter as representative of the Twelve, telling him that whatever you bind, that is, forbid, on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven and that whatever you loose, that is, permit, on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven.
He told Peter and the Twelve, and by extension all other believers, that they had the astounding authority to declare what is divinely forbidden or permitted on earth!
• The church’s authority is not to determine these things, but to declare the judgment of heaven based on the principles of the Word. (MacArthur, J. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible : New American Standard Bible. (Mt 16:19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
• This is most clearly seen based on the grammatical construction: These phrases in Greek are in “the periphrastic future perfect passive construction and should, therefore, be translated “will have been bound already” and “will have been loosed already” in heaven. In other words, Peter’s (and our) pronouncement of “binding” or “loosing” is dependent upon what heaven has already willed, rather than earth’s giving direction to heaven” (Believer’s Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Mt 16:19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
Shortly after His resurrection Jesus told the disciples:
John 20:23 [23]If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." (ESV)
• Only God can forgive sins. Others can declare forgiveness based on the word of God. If there is evidence of repentance then we can, based on God’s promise, declare sin forgiven.
The authority of the church lies in the fact that it has heaven’s word on everything:
2 Peter 1:3 [3]His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, (ESV)
Illustration: 5411 The Key … After 29 Floors
Three men, John Newton, Louis Weatherford, and Samuel Preston, were out to find the best that this life had to offer. Willing to try anything, they were now on their way to New York City to “to the Ambassador Hotel, a twenty-nine floor building. Upon entering the hotel, they were greeted by a bellhop who took their bags and led them to the main desk. At the desk the clerk asked them what type of room they wanted and the three men replied, “Give us the best you have!” The clerk looked at the register and then told the men that the only one of this type left was on the top floor. The key was handed over and the bellhop led them to the elevator. After arranging their belongings in the proper order, the three men put on their tweed suits, left the key at the desk and were off to see New York City’s high spots. Hours went by and the three began to get weary; so they headed back to the hotel. At the lobby desk they were told the elevator had developed some complications and was not able to take them upstairs. The first few flights went quickly and easily and the three companions were joking and having a good time. Each flight seemed a little bit longer but the men kept pressing on. Five, six, seven floors were passed and each one meant that they were one flight closer to the top. The men, already weary from a hard night, began to slow down and the floors dragged by slower each time. The eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth floor was passed. “Almost halfway there,” said Louis. The other just grunted and they pushed on. Seventeen, eighteen. … they wondered if they would ever reach the top. On the twentieth floor Sam sat down and said he couldn’t go on. After resting a few moments the others finally persuaded him to try it. … after all only nine floors left and then those nice, soft mattresses, and fried chicken and. … , so on they went. Each flight seemed like a mile and it seemed as if it took an eternity to get there. All three men were now on their knees, crawling step by step in hopes of reaching the twenty-ninth floor.
Sam was the first to come to the door; so he reached down into his pocket for the key. To Sam’s amazement the key wasn’t there. He asked John if he had it but John said that Louis must have it. They both looked at Louis but all he had were several empty pockets. Here they were on the twenty-ninth floor just inches from what they considered “Heaven” and yet they could not get in. They had forgotten to get the key.
(Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.)
The Church that Christ builds has a supernatural: 1) Foundation, 2) Certainty
3) Intimacy, 4) Identity and Continuity 5) Invincibility 6) Authority
7) Spirituality: Matthew 16:20
Matthew 16:20 [20]Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. (ESV)
Finally, Jesus reminds the disciples that His church is a spiritual reality, as He strictly charged/warned them that they should tell no one that He was the Christ (Messianic Secret). Most Jews, including the disciples, expected the Messiah to come as a conquering King, as a military and political leader to set them free from Rome, not as a Savior to set them free from sin. The people’s expectations were so warped and selfishly misguided that to tell them that Jesus was the Christ would be to cast pearls before swine (see Matt. 7:6).
Now that we live with a resurrected Savior, that is the foundation of our faith, promises to build His church, and guarantees the success of the endeavor, He has given us a charge:
Matthew 28:18-20 [18]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)
(Format note: Outline and some content from MacArthur, J. (1989). Matthew (25). Chicago: Moody Press)
