The Invincible Bride

THE INVINCIBLE BRIDE

Matthew 16:13-19 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 Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, 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."

Intro: When two people are dating each other, usually a particular question lurks in both of their minds: “I wonder what kind of husband he would be? Or, “I wonder what kind of wife she would be?” Women have different needs than men. Women often need a sense of security, and anything that threatens that security is uncomfortable & unwelcome. If the husband is affectionate towards his wife, some of her need for security is met. She also feels secure from conversation (husbands, sit down and talk with your wives), honesty & openness, financial support, and a commitment to the family. A good husband not only makes his wife feel extra special, but he does all he can to provide her with that sense of security that she needs. He will make her feel safe – an invincible bride – because of his love and protection of her.

-The Bible describes Christ’s relationship with the Church as husband to wife. Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her. Let me tell you from experience, Christ takes good care of His Bride. Because of His love and protection of her, she is an invincible Bride. Here is the main thought of the sermon today:

Prop: The Lord’s Church is secure in His hands, and will not be overcome by the powers of darkness.

Interrogative: How do we know that, and what difference does it make in our lives?

TS: I’d like to show this truth from Scripture today, because it gives us boldness to step out and do God’s will, knowing that we are fighting a winning battle. We know that the Lord’s Church is secure, because…

I. The Church Has an Indestructible Foundation (18)

“On this rock I will build my church.”

-Each local church is being built upon on who Christ is to them. Who is Jesus to us? If He is anything less than our Creator, Lord, Savior, and groom, then our foundation is too weak to build on.

-People have a lot of ideas about Jesus. He was a good man, a good teacher, a good moral person who helped lots of people. But people’s ideas about Jesus in general do not really matter. What matters is when Jesus turns to you and asks, “Who do you say I am?” The answer from your heart will reveal the foundation of your life.

-1 Corinthians 3:11 11”For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

-The truth that Jesus is the Messiah, Lord & King, is the only foundation that will endure.

-When we understand this by revelation from God, and confesses Christ as Lord and Savior (the One who leads us & forgives us), then we are established on an indestructible foundation. When we are joined to Christ, we are part of an invincible Bride because of who we are joined to.

-Peter was used by the Lord in mighty ways, as you can read in the first half of the book of Acts. However, here in our text, Jesus was not saying that He would build His Church on Peter, but on Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the living God. That is the gospel! That is what gives us hope! That is what builds the Church that the gates of hell can never overthrow!

TS.: We know the Church is secure, because…

II. The Church Has a Special Bond with the Groom (15, 18)

A. The Bride knows the true identity of the groom. "WHO do you say I am?"

B. The Bride belongs to the Groom (18) Jesus said, “I will build MY church.” It is not the govt’s church, it is not the Pastor’s church, it is not even the people’s church. It is the Lord’s Church.