On this Rock I Will Build My Church

As we have been journeying through the Life of Christ, we come to a climactic moment.We have witnessed Jesus choosing his disciples. We have read the recorded miracles of Jesus healing casting out demons, healing the sick and raising the dead. Twice Jesus has fed thousands of people on a persons meager lunch. We have watched as the religious leader continually challenge Jesus about his Identity.

Now we come to a part of the account where Jesus puts his own disciples to the test. Up until this point Jesus had never forced this conversation with His disciples but just like any other people they must choose what they believe about the identity of Jesus.

Matthew 16:13–20 CSB

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

The first question Jesus ask’s in this account is one of cultural understanding.

Matthew 16:13–14 CSB

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

I. “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

This is not an archaic question. Every since Jesus came to this earth people, historians, and academia have been trying to figure out the true identity and purpose of Jesus Christ as if it was still a mystery. Watch this short video.

Isn’t it interesting that the same question is still being asked today and the same answers are still being given. Just like we mentioned last week. There will never be any new evidence or signs. All of the evidence has been given. It is not hidden as if it was some esoteric truth. It is plain for all to see. Belief has always been a choice. It is not a feeling, but an act of the will. It isn’t that belief is impossible but rather you have chosen to not believe.

But the Jesus sharpens the question. He shifts from the cultural to the personal.

Matthew 16:15 CSB

15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

When you read through the gospels and observe Jesus and disciples one can’t help but notice that Jesus relationship with his disciples was leading up to this very point. If we were to make this account into a movie, it would be the climax of the film. From the beginning the disciples were called out into extraordinary circumstances. I have to imagine from the beginning they couldn’t possibly put into words why they were compelled to follow Jesus. Here this intriguing person comes and says, “follow me”. There is no way they understood the ramifications of the decision they made. There is no way they understood the journey they had just begun. Then throughout Jesus ministry they watch his miracles, listen to his teaching, and observe his selfless perfection.

It was all leading up to this question.

II. “Who do you say that I am?”

If you were to look back on your journey as a disciple of Christ. I think that you would admit that Christ also called you into a journey. He began by stirring in your heart and spirit a desire to understand who God is. Even thought at the beginning of your journey there is no way you could possibly have understood your choice to begin to follow him. There was something that was drawing you and compelling you to follow this path laid out before you. Although still uncertain about what all of this means and what Jesus was all about, He began to reveal himself to you. And in the same manner as he did with the disciples he takes you from a cultural understanding into a personal one. Jesus in his love forces the conversation. He brings it about like a climax to a good story.

You have seen and witness, you have felt my presence stirring you. You have heard my voice. Now Who do you say that I am?

It is interesting in this account that when Jesus asked the first question of “who do people say that the son of man is?” we see “they replied”. But in this answer it seems that only Peter replied.

Matthew 16:16 CSB

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Two possible reasons for a singular answer

1. Peter was the only one who was certain of Jesus identity.

2. Peter spoke as the groups representative.

He was most likely the oldest of Jesus disciples and was often out in front as a leader among them.

I believe it was the for the first reason. Now for many that will be a struggle to believe, but let me remind you that Judas was also among the 12 and yet he was far from convinced that Jesus was the messiah. This should be a warning to all of us. Just because a person hangs out with the Jesus crowd and is interested in Jesus teachings doesn’t mean a person has been born again.

I think the proof of this theory is found in Jesus answer.

Matthew 16:17 CSB

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

Jesus didn’t address the group, but Peter only.

You see noone can answer this question for you. No one can confess Christ for you. Being a part of a body of faith is not the same thing as having faith. A church confessing Jesus Christ as The Messiah, is not the same as you confessing Jesus as the messiah. Your eternal destination does not depend on the faith of someone else but upon yours alone. How many people today believe that having their name on the membership roles of the church translates into them being good with God.

For this reason, I interview all those who express interest in joining us even if they come from another church. If there is even a chance they might be confused by church membership I want to correct it, out of love and concern. For the same reason, we will regularly purge our membership roles. It wouldn’t be loving to allow someone to believe they are good with God because they are a church member.

It is in only in a personal confession through a belief that matches the confession is a person born-again.

There is something else I want you to see in this verse.

The revelation of God to you is the only proof you need.

Q: How did Peter know Jesus was the messiah?

A: The Father revealed it to him

Anyone who is in Christ has a first hand revelation directly from the Father himself. Now let that sink in. How do you know that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and Lord. God revealed it to you. What other proof do you need? All of the other evidence of Christ existence, death, and resurrection may be needed for those who are still seeking but to the believer. You know because God told you. All Christians in all times have had this universal experience and proof. We know the Messiah is who he is because God has drawn us, opened our eyes and revealed himself. Isn’t that amazing?!

When you begin to doubt remind yourself of who revealed to you the truth. It wasn’t flesh and blood but ultimately God who opened your eyes.

John 6:44 CSB

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 12:32 CSB

32 As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself.”

John 3:13–16 CSB

13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

It is God himself that is drawing even some of you revealing himself through his spirit and word.

But believe is not about proof it is a choice.

Romans 10:13–14 CSB

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?

Our reformed brethren our right It is true that man cannot believe without God drawing them and Repentance is a gift granted by God. However they fail to see that the gift came in the form of Jesus Christ for without him man had no means of repentance. There was nothing for mans heart to turn too. But now it is the preaching of gospel message that quickens a person’s heart, draws him through the spirit of God and allows mankind to believe.

If you choose not to believe it is not because God didn’t provide enough evidence or that God isn’t drawing all people, including you to himself. It is because you have chosen your sin over God’s grace.

Matthew 16:17 CSB

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.

The only proof that you need is that God is drawing you, has revealed himself to you. What an amazing truth!

The last thing I want you to see is that.....

III. We have a guarantee of victory

Matthew 16:18–20 CSB

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Now many have misunderstood these verses to mean that Peter was the rock that Christ was building his church. This is not what Jesus was stating. Peter’s name means little rock. Yet Jesus said he would build his church on the Petra or “Bedrock”. Jesus was not referring to peter as being the foundation of the church but rather Peter’s confession of Jesus Christ the Messiah. Peter was simply a little rock placed on the foundation as are all those who proclaim Christ.

Peter admitted this as well.

1 Peter 2:4–8 CSB

4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— 5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame. 7 So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving, The stone that the builders rejected— this one has become the cornerstone, 8 and A stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined for this.

But in this we see an amazing thing. We will be successful in attacking hell. Gates do not attack. So the imagery here is that God’s people are waging an all out war against the gates of hell and will be victorious.