Worship

“Build Your Church” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

Scripture

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” -Matthew 16:13-19, ESV, emphasis added

Understanding the Context

In 2013, I went to Israel with Gateway Church to do a prayer and worship tour. It was glorious! (By the grace of God, I am currently with an Arise group of 23 doing the very same thing!) One day, we visited the very spot Jesus would have presumably sat with His Peter. Behind Him would have been this very place that would have been a present day Hades of sorts. It was a cavern in a cliff where they would make child sacrifices and perform temple worship to Baal and the god Pan. What took place in that cave was a literal Hell.

Here Peter gets commissioned to be a stone (among many stones) the Church would be built upon as the gospel was moving to the Gentiles. But first Jesus had to drill down to what His disciples believed about Him. It mattered to Him what Peter believed about Him because it would ultimately impact the way Peter lived. Peter testified in part—He was much more than a prophet! He was the coming and promised Messiah and the “‘Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).’” Peter had a backdrop of what he was about to storm the gates of and his Jesus in focus—his Champion, Victor, Savior, and his Rock!

The First Mention of Church

When Jesus says here, “‘I will build my church (Matthew 16:18),’” this is the first mention of the word “church” in the gospels. Jesus was setting the stage for Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. If they only knew what was coming. I wonder what anticipation Jesus felt even as this word jumped off His tongue. I wonder if He could picture His glorious and beautiful Bride that would be handed to Him one day. I bet He could see His fiery Bride on mission with Him just months after He spoke this. Ekklesia was not a religious word but a description of this “called-out group” that defined those who would not only follow Him but take the message of His life all over the globe.

Look at the wonder of these promises Jesus was declaring over His followers for all time:

• He unites His people with a common unifier:“‘… I will build … .’”
• He builds on a foundation that is firm:“‘… on this rock I will build … .’”
• He builds what belongs to Him:“‘… my church … .’”
• He promises a stronghold for us:“‘… the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’”

Our Identity in Christ

Jesus, who do you say I am?

Go with me now to 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” First, Jesus prophetically speaks the calling of His people, and what was obviously deeply deposited in Peter from Jesus was His beautiful identity. In studying this topic with some women this summer, I want to give you a definition for each of these words because they are who you are—who God says you are.

Chosen: Having been slated as the best; object of choice or of divine favor; an elect person

Royal: Having the status of a king or queen for a member of their family

Holy: Dedicated or consecrated to God; one perfect in goodness and righteousness

Special: Better or greater or otherwise from what is usual. Synonyms for this word are: exceptional, particular, marked, unusual, uncommon, notable, remarkable outstanding or unique.

Fitted with your courageous calling to storm the gates of Hell is this identity of royalty! When you begin to believe this about yourself, you will begin to live out this reality!

“… God’s people are rising in this present darkness and beginning to shine. His Royal Army is spreading the King’s glory all over the earth as we take dominion of this planet back from the defeated one. Equipped with the light of the Father, His sons are finding buried treasure in the hearts of men that was once covered by rocks of offense, thorns of treachery, and relics of religion. Armed with the power of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to represent the King’s Son, we are healing the sick, raising the dead, and displacing devils. This is resulting in paupers becoming princes and the kingdom of this world becoming the Kingdom of our God!” -Kris Vallotton, “Supernatural Ways of Royalty”

Our Authority in Christ

Now let’s look at those “keys” that have been handed to us. Do you know what you get to do with them? The keeper of the keys has the power to open and shut as we have been given power and authority of various kinds as we bind and loose. His Kingdom denotes royal power, kingship, dominion, and rule. We have been given the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah lives in us. His Kingdom is an eternal kingdom and subject to the rule of our glorious King. And together we partner with Him to bring Heaven to Earth. When we bind something, we simply tie and fasten it with chains by the authority of Christ in us. And to release is to loose any person who is tied, fastened, bound and unbind them or set them free. It’s truly releasing a prisoner from their jail cell, demolishing and destroying what keeps them bound. How marvelous is it that we get to participate in this ministry of what Christ did on the Earth as He walked from town to town? It’s our powerful ministry of reconciliation, freedom, and deliverance.

What do you believe about Him? Do you believe He has the power to do all this through your surrendered life? The truth of the identity and authority and power of the people of God is established in these two passages. Not even Hell could stand against us. He gives us the ability to bind and loose as we move and pray and speak. He snatches people from Hell, and we get to participate with Him in this. On Christ, an immovable Church is built. We advance! We don’t retreat! He placed in our hands His keys, clearly denoting power and authority handed to us by Him!

His authority has been established in us! Therefore, we don’t retreat!

“Imagine a world ignited with the fiery love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Imagine an unstoppable Church that let go of the status quo and became more concerned about preaching the Gospel than filling up a building. Could this be the very moment in history when we yield our ways and partner with God for a harvest of souls that ushers in the return of Jesus? Will you join me in revolting against apathy and ignite the world around you with God’s love and power? Together, we can be a part of something bigger than ourselves. … You are a part of the remnant army that is rising!” -Jessi Green, “Wildfires”

The Church’s Mission Today

Sisters, our calling and our identity are so beautifully intertwined. We can’t do one without the other. And both require a belief and conviction. It’s ours for the taking as the Church advances in this hour. I am praying that these words stir vision in your spirit as we throw off distraction, get our “pinpoint focus” and walk in our royal identity. Lord, deepen this truth, renew our minds with it, and set us ablaze to run after Your purposes!

I want to leave you with a quote from a wonderful book.

“While I strongly believe in the Lord’s return, I also think many have become irresponsible in their assignment because of their anticipation of His return. Please read this carefully. The return of Jesus will be wonderful! But it is the hope of the Church, not the hope of the world. The hope of the world is the power of the gospel. And it must be preached, lived, and demonstrated for it to become the ultimate invitation for all to come and discover this irresistible grace that leads to salvation.” -Bill Johnson, “Born For Significance”

Let’s go!