Untitled Sermon (19)

The Foundation of the Church

Matthew 16:13-20

How do you children ever understand what a church is?

We go to church (referring to a building).

We go to “big church” (referring to a worship service).

They go to “children’s church” (referring to a kid’s Bible study time away from everyone else.)

My kids- the place that daddy goes to work.

What is church?

-The Church and a Local Church

The Church=All Christians in world

local Church

-Not a building.

-Not a gathering of believers (Christian concerts are not churches.)

-Not believers who come together for a short-term mission trip.

-A local community of believers committed to work together to accomplish God’s purpose.

Matthew 16:13-20

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.

After asking what the world thought of him, Jesus asks the disciples what they believe.

6 Foundations of the church

Revelation (17)

Matthew 16:17

Peter's confession was different than the other Jews. (14)

Matthew 16:14

It was revealed by God himself.

It is not an understanding of the wisdom of man.

General Revelation / Special Revelation (Word of God)

Once revealed, we have a responsibility

Deuteronomy 29:29

Romans 1:19-20

Leadership (18)

Matthew 16:18

The Rock

Play on Words Peter and Petra

Is Peter the rock Jesus used to build His church or was what Peter said about Jesus the Rock? - Peter is not the Rock- Jesus is! Peter proves to be sand.

Psalm 118:22

Acts 4:10-12

1 Corinthians 3:11

"Build my church"

ekklesia= 114 times "church" is used in N.T. 90 of these refer to a local church.

This time is refers to the global church.

Word used of other assemblies in Greek world but this time it was different.

Who does this church belong to?= Jesus

Colossians 1:18  

Jesus is the owner and the cornerstone.

Jesus is the head of the church.

Ephesians 1:22-23

Jesus does the building using us.

1 Peter 2:4-5

We participate as part of The Church as a local church.

We are an independent church but we are not alone.

We cooperate with other churches to build The Church.

Never forget that the leader is Jesus.

Community (18b)

Matthew 16:18

Church= ecclesia= community

We Are the Church

Church is not a place or an event.

Church is not a crowd.

Church is a community of believers.

Community= interdependent group of people who have different parts to play in the relationship.

Victory (18c)

Matthew 16:18

"Gates of Hades"= Gates of Death or Powers of Death

Old Testament uses terms "Gates of death"

Gates keep people in-- We will not be separated from God. (also see Rich man and Lazarus)

"Shall not prevail"= death will not have victory over the church.

John 3:16

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Authority (19)

Matthew 16:19

Keys that Open and Unlock

He who holds the keys has the authority.

ILL— We had to find the keys to our front door.

Isaiah 22:22

Revelation 3:7

Binding and loosing

making entrance to God's kingdom available or unavailable to people through our witness, peaching, and ministry.

John 20:23

Spiritual authority

Spiritual warfare also involved.

As we use authority on earth it brings with it the unleashing of spiritual help.

Proclamation (20)

Matthew 16:20

Things change after the resurrection.

See parallels in these verses to what we have studied today...

Matthew 28:18-20 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.”

When it is time to proclaim we must proclaim. We live in the time to proclaim.

Peter’s Proclamation

Matthew 16:16

CONCLUSION

What do you confess about Jesus?

Romans 10:9

Do you love the church as much as Jesus does?