The Church's Foundation, Authority and Focus

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The Church's Foundation, Authority and Focus

Title: The Church’s Foundation, Authority and Focus
Scripture: Matthew 16:18-28
Church: New Life Community Chapel
Date: July 19, 2009

I. The foundation and authority of the church. Vv.18-21
..A. I will build my church. V.18
....1. Make no mistake, it is Jesus’ church.
......a. The church is His body on earth.
........1) Colossians 1:24;
......b. He is the head of the church.
........1) Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23
......c. The church is made up of many varying parts.
........1) Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4
..B. Understanding the “rocks.” V.18
....1. The two rocks in verse 18.
......a. Petra: Denotes “a mass of rock,” as distinct from petros, “a detached stone or boulder,” or a stone that might be thrown or easily moved. A type of sure foundation.
........1) Jesus is the rock who has come from heaven and is the sure foundation of the church.
........2) Peter is one rock of many that are used to build the church.
..C. The authority of the church. V.19
....1. Understanding the keys of the kingdom.
......a. Keys have several representations.
........1) They represent the authority to have access to areas that are locked.
........2) They represent the ability to lock or unlock.
..........a) To lock-up or to release.
......b. Several examples.
........1) Key of David
..........a) Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 3:7 (Philadelphia church)
............1. The key represents complete authority: What he opens no one will shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
........2) Key to the Abyss
..........a) Revelation 9:1-2, 20:1-3
............1. The door was opened and eventually Satan is imprisoned there for 1000 years.
........3) Keys (Plural)
..........a) Matthew 16:18
............1. Keys to the kingdom of heaven.
..............a. Access to previously locked areas.
..............b. Ability to open (release) and lock (lock-up).
..........b) Revelation 1:18
............1. Keys of death and Hades.
....2. Understanding the gates of Hades.
......a. What does this verse imply?
........1) The verse is not speaking about the church surviving an onslaught by evil forces.
........2) The verse is teaching us that Hades cannot stand up against the onslaught of the church against it.
......b. Understanding the word “prevail” in context.
........1) The Greek word means “to be strong and powerful.”
........2) In context, the word is used to illustrate that the gates of Hades “shall not be strong and powerful” against the church.
....3. Understanding the bind and loose principle.
......a. The same principle is repeated by Jesus in Matthew 18:18.
......b. We have been given the keys to loose or bind on earth.
........1) The power of heaven stands behind our loosening and binding.

II. The Rebellious Church. Vv.21-23
..A. The church has been given the truth to guide her. V.21
....1. Jesus began to show (clearly) His future.
..B. How we respond to revealed truth will reveal who we serve and our true motives.
....1. Peter’s response.
......a. He did not submit to the will of God.
......b. He did not begin to pray about the plan of God.
......c. He rebuked Jesus and challenged God’s authority and will.
........1) He asserted His own will.
....2. How often does the church today reject the clear teaching of God’s Word and assert its own will?
......a. How about us?
........1) If we are not submitted we are in rebellion.
..C. Jesus rebukes Satan, the churches greatest adversary.
....1. Why Satan and not Peter?
......a. The enemy always seeks to confuse truth by offering an alternative (lie) that seems plausible to us.
........1) We must always seek to understand what God’s Word says and seek the leading of the Holy Spirit on any issue.
..........a) Personal preference is not an option when it does not align with God’s Word.
..........b) One example: Saul and Samuel. 1 Samuel 13:5-14
............1. Saul was told to wait seven days for Samuel to come as they faced the Philistine army.
............2. Saul got impatient and offered the sacrifice himself.
..............a. Sacrifice is good, what could possibly be wrong with that?
..............b. Saul had no authority or right to offer the sacrifice.
................i. Read 1 Samuel 13:13-15

III. The Obedient Church. Vv.24-28
..A. Three basic principles from verse 24 regarding true obedience.
....1. Deny self.
......a. We must crucify the flesh and its evil desires.
........1) Galatians 2:20-21, 5:24-25; 6:14
......b. We must submit to God’s Word, Spirit and will.
....2. Take up his cross.
......a. Accept, embrace and live out the life God has called you to, daily.
....3. Follow me.
......a. We are to seek to follow Jesus, not lead Him.
......b. Rebellious churches and people seek to use or lead Jesus.
........1) Peter would have led Jesus away from the cross and then died in His sins.
..B. The obedient church has a godly focus. Vv.25-26
....1. Giving up control. V.25
......a. Not my will, but Your will be done.
....2. Redirected focus. V.26
......a. No longer is the world our focus, but the things of God and God Himself.
....3. There is promise of rewards to the obedient. V.27
......a. The reward cannot be our sole focus or motivation.
......b. The reward is a product of salvation, not salvation itself.
....4. Jesus is coming back. V.28
......a. We are to long for His coming.

IV. How does this apply to us?
..A. The church belongs to Jesus and is part of His body.
....1. We are, part of, the body of Christ.
......a. 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
..B. We have been given constituted authority.
....1. The authority is found in His name.
......a. It is in our relationship with Jesus that the power and authority of Jesus have been bestowed upon us for the glory of God.
....2. The keys have been given to us.
......a. We have been given authority to engage the enemy and be victorious.
..C. We have a choice.
....1. We can choose God or self.
......a. When we talk about maturity, I wonder how often, we think of submission as a key component?
......b. Verses 22-26 are all about submitting to God and denying self.