The Rock upon the Stone
Matthew: God's Promises Fulfilled • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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A hotly debated text here. Revive us through the difficulty that we will read about today!
Who is Jesus? Who are we?
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
Context:
It’s really helpful to know the backside— even if you don’t, you can get life from it— but the more you know about the background, the more you can benefit.
Jesus was traveling, healing and teaching. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God— showing everyone that the gospel is real, and it’s powerful. Cesarea Philippi is mainly home for Gentiles— it’s the most northern area that is still in Israel. Hot bed of false worship- of worshiping idols— false gods made by human hands. This is the place where people had practiced worshipping BAAL for generations. People were worshiping “things” everywhere. The sun, the moon, the trees, the animals, you name it. People are confused. Worship of creation? Worship of the myriad of Roman and Greek gods?
City was recently reworked. Cesarea is named after Cesar Augustus— the emperor, who was believed to be deity.
If there was one place that had it all wrong— that is the place that gets a divine visitor. The true God who would lay down His life for the sins of the world. A place that wants to take a man like Cesar and name him a God— gets a visit from the God of the universe in the form of a man.
This represents a beautiful act of peaceful rebellion— he sits peacefully and teaches that Cesar is not God. Pan is not God, Baal is not God.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He takes a little survey— what have they been hearing?
Think with me about those answers. They (the general public) think that he is John the Baptist? That’s because Herod, who killed John back in chapter 14 thought that he came back to life— or some think he’s one of the prophets resurrected and come back to life— Notice that nobody apparently says “oh, he’s just Jesus from Nazareth— the carpenters son— a regular guy like us”. They have seen his miracles— they have heard his teaching and observed his authority!@ They know he’s supernatural, they just don’t quite know what he is! Elijah? Yes, they see the miraculous signs— just like we saw with Elijah— Jeremiah? Well, yeah maybe— Jeremiah was the weeping, sad prophet— Jesus is meek and mild. The Messiah? Oh now— that can’t be.. He doesn’t fit that box:
Most think that the Messiah would be this powerful king - coming to suppress the evil Romans and free God’s people, setting up a new kingdom. Peace through force, just like their King David did!
He’s somebody significant— but we can’t quite place it.
People then don’t know what to do with Jesus— and guess what? People today still don’t quite know what to do with Jesus!
Who do people say Jesus is? Today? If we ask that question today— Inside and outside the church, you’ll get some fascinating answers.
Some might still hold to an older argument that Jesus never existed at all. We see this less and less today. History proves that there was indeed an actual person.
Some say he was primarily a political revolutionary. That he was indeed a real person, but he certainly didn’t do all these miracles like the bible says. Yeah- there are some out there who want to make Jesus some political tool— for their own agendas.
Some say he was a good moral teacher. Billions of people around the world today would probably agree with you— that Jesus taught “one of many” ways to live your life. Just like Buddha, or Confucious, or Muhammad, or the Dahli Lama— But not THE way— but a way to God. He was a good man— good teaching.
Some would actually agree with what Peter is about to confess here— that Jesus is indeed the Son of God— the one and only Lord. BUT so many people say this— but they don’t act like it. Somehow there’s this disconnect between what we say we believe— and how we act. There isn’t any difference— except in word— but not in deed. It’s like you want Jesus for his love, and forgiveness, and grace. All wonderful aspects of our relationship to Him— but we are hesitant to really pursue the radical holiness that He mandates for us! Love my enemies? Turn the other cheek? Blessed are the meek? Ahhh- man. I don’t know about that. The first are last?
Who do you say He is?
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Peter is usually the one that speaks up. Maybe everyone is looking at the ground— ummmm. Peter jumps on it.
Everyone looks immediately at Jesus:
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
“Yeah- yeah, I was going to say that too. That’s right. What he said.”
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
This is an action packed little verse. Let’s take a look at this section really closely here: It’s where some deep controversy in biblical interpretation has been brewing for ages.
Here are some brief observations:
Peter rightly identifies Jesus. Then Jesus rightly identifies Peter.
This would have been scandalous, and outrageous not only in this community, but also among the Jewish religious leaders.
Jesus doesn’t correct him— he blesses him! “This is indeed who I am!”
Peter states the truth, as he receives it from the Holy Spirit.
Peter did not come up with this on his own. God reveals this to him.
I’m not a Greek scholar, yet— I will study it someday soon— but the original language here uses a play on words:
Jesus uses two different words for “rock” here:
“You are petras (little rock), and upon this petra (big rock), your declaration— I will build my ekklesia (assembly).”
He is going to build the whole church on that declaration.
This is the first time Jesus explicitly refers to a church.
Greek : “ekklesia” the assembly, the gathering of God’s people.
Many are discussing what that is. How to “do” church— how to live as the church in their time in history.
Let’s focus on the church for a few moments here:
Observations:
The church is built on Jesus, by Jesus and for Jesus.
The church is built upon the lordship of Jesus.
Peter’s statement of truth is what Jesus builds the church on.
From a Catholic perspective, this is why this is so controversial. The Catholic tradition takes Peter, and creates the Papal system. The Pope— he’s the head of the church. While there is space for us to see that Peter is a key figure in the foundation of the church— we do not see this verse as saying that. It’s the Lordship of Jesus— Peter’s statement that Jesus is the Christ— that is the true foundation of the why we meet together— even today.
The church is built today, and stands today, and perseveres today— a group of rag-tag multiethnic, multi generational, multi political, multi-mindset fallen sinful people— held together by what? The one absolute that we all hold dear: Jesus is Lord.
We don’t stand on human leadership— as good as I hope to be in that regard— we don’t stand because of any human family blood line or name— like Miller, or Hochstetler, or Hershberger, or Yoder. We don’t stand on the shifting sands of our common culture here in rural Ohio— as wonderful as these things can be---We only endure because of the Lordship of Jesus as our Savior.
The church is built by the power of Jesus.
Jesus says “I will” build my church. Look at the source— Jesus— look at the result— and the enemy will not prevail. Jesus builds the church— not me— not you— yes, he may utilize us in the process— he uses Peter and the other disciples, including Matthew in specific parts of the plan— but Jesus builds — of all the things He could have thought of to expand his Kingdom, and execute His plan — he builds a church! The assembly like us! A gathering of his called out people.
Not a nation— not a political party— not a military power— he doesn’t build a podcast or a youtube channel, or a facebook account. He builds — a church. That’s why the church has survived— through sin and war, and backbiting and problem after problem after problem— but enemy will NEVER prevail and destroy what Jesus has built.
2019 was a big year in my life— At that year’s EVANA ReGen conference (our Anabaptist network)— I was convicted to Love Jesus’ Bride as much as he does.
I had learned a long time earlier— that God wanted me as a man to love Wendy, my wife, like Jesus loves the Church— Ephesians 5:25 — But I was convicted at that event— that Jesus wants me to love His Bride in a very special way— as a pastor. As a shepherd and leader of the church. That was a life-altering revelation for me— one that I will never forget, and will continue to live into until He tells me otherwise.
Some people are really worried about the future of the Christian church. Not me— Jesus is building His church. I intend to help Him do that. Don’t be distracted by any of these other small stones.
Jesus also says that the gates of Hell (Hades) will not prevail. He doesn’t actually list anything aggressive here in the image. On the contrary— he uses “gates”. Gates or walls are typically understood to be defensive in nature— they are there to hold something or someone out. The word picture that comes to my mind is these little puny gates — trembling at the thought of God’s people crashing them in. The gates will never withstand the onslaught of the disciples of Jesus!
Jesus states that we have such spiritual power— that the defenses of Hell itself cannot stop us! They cannot withstand us. A group of gathered people committed to living under His Lordship. That’s all.
It’s built ON Jesus— It’s built BY Jesus— and
The church is built for the purposes of Jesus.
Remember what Jesus said “and on this rock (this great declaration) I will build MY church.” Not Pastor Charlie’s church— Not your church— not EVANA’s church— Not the ANABAPTISTS or Mennonites church… All those churches might be very nice— but it’s first and foremost— HIS possession, His Church.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
These keys— are powerful keys. They are given to the ekklesia the church collectively— not to just one person, or a small group.
Dr. Tony Evans describes these keys like this:
“the divinely authorized resources that grant us authority and access to heaven’s kingdom rule”
Authority and Access— permission and dominion. That’s what the devil thought he had accomplished when Jesus was crucified.
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
But Jesus rises from the grave— takes those keys from Satan and says “Thank-you very much, I’ll take those”.
Imagine of the church actually believed this! We would not be dinking around with earthly squabbles of power or possession— we would take a hold of the authority that Jesus gives us and storm the gates of Hell for His glorious purposes and the salvation of the world!
What are we to do with all this today? You might be sitting there saying — “sure glad Pastor Charlie is so amped up about all this, but what in the world am I supposed to do?”
I’m glad you asked.
First— you might need to wrestle with this question:
Who do you say Jesus is?
Are you prone to wander— or are you standing firm in the truth that He is indeed who he says He is. The Son of the Living God— the way the truth and the life— the only way to a reconciled relationship with the creator Father.
Second— What do you think of the church?
Do you live in the gathered assembly? The ekklesia of Jesus? Do you understand it’s mission? Do you believe in it’s mission? Are you working to advance Jesus’ purposes on earth through it?
Have you committed to live under the Lordship of Jesus— living in unity with a local group of fellow believers— sharing what you have both physically and spiritually to be used by the Holy Spirit to edify and be edified?
Don’t get distracted by all the little small pebbles of problems or shortcomings— people are broken— stand on that big rock--
Find a community of believers that help you declare like Peter did— Jesus is the Christ— and then live with them.
Third- Take courage!
If you’re part of the church— you’re a part of the most powerful force of God on earth! Chin up! We can do this. Join the work. Learn about your own special gifts and talents— submit yourself to help— to teach— to serve— to give. We’ve got some gates to rattle.
You are the Christ— the Son of the Living God.