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Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church!

December 5, 2010
Morning Service

Matt. 16:13-20

 

Review:

1.                   Last Sunday morning we left our study with the Lord telling His disciples this;  Mat 16:11-12 KJVR  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?  (12)  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

2.                  But of the doctrine, or teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

3.                  It was important for the people to be able to know what was God’s will, and what was the doctrines of men.

4.                  Same thing is true today.  With all the different churches around today, and teaching different doctrines, which one is right?  We all claim to be right, but how can we tell for sure?

 

Well hopefully today’s study will help us understand God’s will for mankind today.  Let’s begin, Matt. 16:13.

 

Mat 16:13-20 KJVR  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 

  • Coasts, or borders.  Because this is Caesarea Philippi, and not the Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea.  This city is just north of the Sea of Galilee, in the area of Syria. 
  • Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

(14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 

  • This may seem like an insignificant question, but I assure you it is not. 
  • Many people in the religious world today answer this question wrong. 

(15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 

  • BUT WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?
  • This question as we will find out in a moment is very important, and the only way it can be answered correctly is by the Spirit of God.

(16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

  • Right answer Peter!
  • The Christ - The Messiah, the “Anointed” of God;
  • The Son - That is, the Son by way of eminence - in a special sense.  This description was understood as implying divinity.
  • Of the living God - The term “living” was given to the true God to distinguish him from idols, that are dead, or lifeless blocks and stones. He is also the Source of life, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. The word “living” is often given to him in the Old Testament.  In this noble confession Peter expressed the full belief of himself and of his brethren that he was the long-expected Messiah. Other people had very different opinions of him, but they were satisfied, and were not ashamed to confess it.

 

(17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee,

  • Flesh and blood, or man.  One of the expectations of the coming Messiah was that He would be powerful in the eyes of man.  Power in the way the world looks at power.  To set up a Kingdom, and to reign on earth.  Flesh and blood didn’t show this, or his manner of life;  but the things of God did.

but my Father which is in heaven. 

  • The miracles, the kindness, the love, the gentleness, the forgiving, all the attributes of God.  Peter saw all these things in Jesus of Nazareth.
  • This is still true today.  The eternal Spirit of God must reveal to you personally who Jesus is;           Jesus said this; Joh 6:44-45 KJVR  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  (45)  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
  • Jesus told the people one time;  Joh 5:39 KJVR  Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

 

 

  • Paul encouraged Timothy to study, to show himself approved unto God.  Study what?

He also told Timothy, 2Ti 3:16 KJVR  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  STUDY THE SCRIPTURES!

  • THE SPIRIT OF GOD REVEALS TO US THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES THAT THIS JESUS OF NAZARETH IS THE VERY SON OF GOD, AND MUCH MORE.
  • Paul says this;  1Ti 3:16 KJVR  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
  • This is none other than Jesus of Nazareth.

 

So upon this revealed confession of Peter Jesus says;

(18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

  • UPON THIS ROCK.  Or, this confession that I am the very Son of God, the Messiah. 
  • NOTICE;  I will build My church, or called out ones. 
  • So when people ask you what church you belong too, you tell them the Lord’s church from Matt. 16:20.  The congregation I assemble with is called the Bride of Christ fellowship of the Lord’s church.
  • The church is referred to as the Bride in the Scriptures.  Just as we have been studying on Wednesday evenings, how that Joseph is a type of Christ, we found out that Joseph was given a gentile bride by Pharaoh, God is preparing a gentile Bride for Jesus.  That’s us Christians, the church.

Now that we see what church we are talking about, can I follow it through the Scriptures, and find it on earth today?  Jesus said, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Which means it will never be destroyed.

  • We can see on the day of Pentecost, Acts chapter two, Peter’s first sermon, many were added to this church.  So it is fine there.  And throughout the book of Acts we see it continuing to grow, and spread.
  • We see the Apostle Paul explaining what was done in early assemblies, and what He instructed them to do to be more pleasing to God.  Doing all things decently, and in order.  ICor. 14.
  • We can see in Paul’s writings to Timothy, and Titus, instructions for the leadership of the church, which is to be autonomous.  Which means self sustaining, locally.
  • Paul teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, and that He has given a ministry to the church to help guide, and instruct the disciples to be able to grow into the full stature of Christ.  Eph. 4

So, to make a long story short;  Any fellowship that backs up it’s process of worship with the Word, is worth checking out.  The admonition is “try the spirits to see if they are of God.”   YOU WILL KNOW, IF YOU KNOW YOUR SCRIPTURES. 

 

And the irony of it is that we all think we do this.  So you can see why it is God Who must reveal to you the truth of the matter.

 

If we are willing to study the Scriptures we will find out what the will of God is for the church, and it’s structure.  We can also see the church’s progress in regular history books if we want to take the time to read them.  Some great books, such as the Anti-Nicene Fathers.  There are many, but none to replace the Scriptures.  The Scriptures have the final say, in any matter.  They are the doctrines of God, and not man.

 

Then Jesus closes this revelation of Peter like this;  

(19)  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.  (20)  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

  • This is clearly a distribution of authority.  Jesus gives the authority of life to the Apostolic office, of the Apostles.
  • However, since we have only their teachings, in which they received them from Jesus, and we have what Jesus taught.  We must conclude that the office of Bishop, or Pastor, is the foremost earthly authority of the church, in conjunction with, the counseling of the Presbytery, which are the Deacons.
  • This should be a very humbling, and grave experience for anyone who believes he is called to the office of Pastor, or Deacon. 

THIS IS THE FELLOWSHIP, OF THE LORD’S CHURCH, THAT WE ARE STRIVING TO BE.

 

Almighty God, we would ask that You would continue to guide, and direct this fellowship, with Your Holy Spirit, that we might be what you are looking for when You come back after your church.   Amen.