Church 101: “Upon this Rock”

Matthew 16:18-19

Introduction

My brothers and sisters, let me tell you something—this church, this faith, this journey we are on is not built on sinking sand! No, no! It is built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ! Too many times, we’ve seen storms rage, trials come, and enemies rise up, but the church is still standing! Why? Because it’s not built on people, power, or politics—it’s built on the Rock!

For generations, our people have held on to the promise that God is our foundation. When they told us we couldn’t worship, we lifted up our voices anyway. When they tried to break our spirit, we held onto the Word. And when they tried to shake us, we stood firm in faith!

So today, as we begin this sermon series entitled Church 101 volume 1—-Who Is the Church? , I want you to understand that no matter what comes against you—you are standing on the Rock! And not just any rock, but the Rock of Ages, the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ! Somebody say, “I’m standing on the Rock!”

Introduction to Matthew 16

Matthew’s gospel is written by a converted Jewish tax collection to the Jews claiming that Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Messiah that would deliver them. He begins with the genealogy of Christ and ends with the Great Commission to his disciples before his ascension. It is widely believed that he used Mark’s gospel as a starting point to write his gospel. Matthew’s purpose here is to paint the carpenter from Nazareth as the king of the Jews, and that he fulfilled the prophecies related to his earthly ministry. Matthew described Jesus’ ministry in three ways (1) the year of obscurity, (2) the year of popularity, and (3) the year of opposition. Matthew 16 is during the year of opposition from the religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees and Sadducees. Following the 400 years of silence, Jesus was born during a time where they kept the law, and they burdened the people with keeping the law while not able to keep it. Chapter 16 finds us in the middle of a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees. They demanded a sign of Jesus, and the only sign they got was weather signs and Jonah. He speaks to them concerning leaven, but of course the religious leaders did not understand that he was speaking on them. The crescendo and most difficult conversation comes when he asks his disciples two questions: (1) whom do men say that I am and (2) whom do you say that I am? The people believed that Jesus was his cousin John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets (vs. 14). It is then that Simon interrupts the discussion and acknowledges Jesus’ divinity by proclaiming that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus acknowledges that the Holy Spirit revealed that to him and not flesh and blood. It is here that the “church” is first mentioned. What this should say to the church is that “Church is not something we go to; church is who and what we are.”

The Church is Built on the Right Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

When Jesus said he would build his church, it was the first time in the New Testament that the word church, or ekklesia is used. This is not speaking to a local body of believers; it is referring to the universal church. From this universal church, man established denominations that believe in the same God (orthodox), but their practice (orthodoxy) is different. From these denominational structures local congregations and established to carry out the creed of their denomination.

Jesus didn’t build His church on Peter the man—He built it on Peter’s confession! When Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he spoke the truth that would be the foundation of the church. Jesus is the center of the church because we are his church. Today, there are pastors and people that believe they are the center of the church because they’ve been a member for decades, and they know how to do “church” instead of being the “church.” We have majored in “how” to do “church” and minored in being the “church.”Today, Christians are concerned about confessions, creeds and currency instead of making the main thing the main thing: “The church is not a denomination; it is a dominating force that seeks to change the world through the preaching of the gospel. The most important thing builders undertake is making sure the foundation is solid so that when the house is built, it will stand.

The African American church has been built on the right foundation—not on politics, not on money, not on social status, but on Jesus Christ! That’s why we’ve survived for generations.

Matthew 7:25–27 ESV

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

If you build your life on fame, money, or material things, when the storm comes, you’ll fall. But if you build your life on the Rock of Jesus, no devil in hell can shake you!

🙌🏾 **Tell your neighbor:** “I’m standing on the Rock!”

The Church is Built to Endure

Isaiah 54:17 – *“No weapon formed against you shall prosper…”

Jesus said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail.” That means the church is under attack, but the attack won’t win! Jesus built “his” church with right material last until his return when he makes all thing new (Revelation 21: 1-5). We are not a body built for defeat or demise, but we are built to last even through the toughest of seasons (2 Thessalonians 1:4). The foundation of the church stands when it faithfulness is challenged. Just because we are the church does not suggest that we will not suffer. On the contrary, we will suffer for the cause of Christ, and if we suffer with him , then we shall reign with him (2 Timothy 2:12). Jesus provided the example on how to suffer and still come out with the victory. We’ve seen this in our history—Israel was enslaved with rigor and hard bondage for 430 years, and even when they oppressed and killed the first born, they continued to multiply rise up. When we weren’t allowed to read, we still found a way to worship. Jim Crow laws tried to separate us, but we still prayed and praised. Even today, the enemy tries to silence our voices, but we are still here. The word for gates of hell or Hades is pyle (πύλη), meaning death as an impersonal supernatural power, or the Satanic power of evil. The church is under a constant barrage of attacks because the devil understands the power of the church. Do we understand the power of the church? Or do we only covet our positions and voices in the church? The devil uses those who are available to use….The devil may try to take, your joy, your peace, your family, and your future—but the Rock of Jesus is your strength! The church should not succumb to inner chaos, dysfunction and personal agenda…the church should not succumb to the whims of those who desire to operate as if there is no leader…the church should not tolerate disrespect of any kind…the church will only last when it remember what and who it is built on. The church long be here after we’ve passed off the scene…..but the church is built to last

🙌🏾 **Somebody shout:** “We are built to last!” -—

The Church Has Kingdom Authority (Accountability and Responsibility)

Matthew 16:19 – “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…”

Jesus gave the church authority—not just to survive, but to thrive! The phrase occurs only once in Scripture. We have the power to bind and loose, to pray and see results, to declare and decree God’s promises! Most people take this out of context, but when it comes to binding and loosing is more than just a nice verse to build your faith. It represents Jesus giving the authority back to man that Adam forfeited through the fall in Eden. God gave Adam dominion over the earth rule and subdue it (Genesis 1:28-29). What are the key to the kingdom of heaven? The keys of the kingdom of heaven is the spiritual authority to preach the gospel and exercise church discipline on earth. A key implies authority and ownership of a door and give entrance to a place (Revelation 1:18). If the kingdom of heaven represents the authority to preach the gospel, then, those same keys open the door of the kingdom of heaven and allowing people to enter. There are two factors suggest that the keys’ authority is broader than just preaching. First, the plural “keys” suggest authority over more than one door. Thus, more than just entrance into the kingdom is implied; some authority within the kingdom is also suggested.

Evangelical Dictionary of Theology Keys of the Kingdom

Second, Jesus completes the promise about the keys with a statement about “binding” and “loosing.” Although rabbinic literature often used “bind” and “loose” for forbidding and permitting various kinds of conduct, a much closer parallel is

Evangelical Dictionary of Theology Keys of the Kingdom

Jesus is teaching that church discipline will have heavenly sanction. But it is not as if the church must wait for God to endorse its actions; rather, whenever it enacts discipline, it can be confident that God has already begun the process spiritually. Whenever it releases from discipline, forgives the sinner, and restores personal relationships, it can be confident that God has already begun the restoration spiritually (cf.

Titus 2:15 ESV

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

The biggest problem in the church is disregard and disrespect……you demand respect while disrespecting….what we allow in the church would definitely get you fired in the workplace…..

The Black church has always been a place of power—a place where we pray and chains are broken, where we preach and people are delivered, where we sing and shackles fall off!

We have power! Power to cast out demons, power to speak life into dead situations, power to tear down strongholds in our communities!

🙌🏾 **Tell your neighbor:** “You’ve got the keys!”

The Church is Still Standing!

Through every trial, through every storm, through every attack, **we are still here!** Because the church isn’t built on opinions, it’s built on **the Rock**!

🔥 **If you’re standing on the Rock today, let me hear you give God some praise!** 🔥

🙌🏾 **Somebody shout:** “I’m standing on the Rock, and I will not be moved!”

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace…