THE DESIGN OF THE CHURCH

Matthew 16: 13-20

Next Sunday, we as a church will celebrate our 23rd Anniversary. Age wise, we are at our prime. Just like any twenty-three year old, we should be strong, active, healthy, and able to face whatever challenges come our way. This is the reason why I am starting a new series entitled, "Building a Healthy Church."

I believe it would be tragic that instead of being healthy and strong, our church will become sickly and stagnant. God will never be happy with a sickly church. You see, the Bible calls the church, "The body of Christ." And just like our own bodies, it is possible for the church to be sick. Whenever the body is sick, growth will be hampered.

This morning, I would like to study the text where Jesus talks about building the church. Examining what He said, we will see clearly what He wants the church to be. I believe that as long as the church is functioning the way Jesus has built it, it would remain healthy.

The occasion of our text happened when Jesus and His disciples went to the coast of Caesarea Philippi. There He asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

The disciples responded by sharing what they have heard from others about Him. Some were saying He was John the Baptist, others were saying He was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asked his disciples life's most important question, "Who do you say I am?"

Peter was the first to respond. He said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Consequently, Jesus accepted Peter's confession and reminded him that it was God, not man, who revealed this great truth to him.

Now, from the confession that Peter just made, Jesus built on it and taught His disciples about the church He was going to establish. For the very first time, Jesus would mention the word church, and share what He clearly wants it to be. I believe it would help us to revisit this to see if we as a church conform to Christ's expectations. Here are three designs of the church:

I     A CHRIST-CENTERED CHURCH:

"On this rock I will build my church"

When Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church," it is clear that the church will be founded on the rock. But who or what is the rock?

In order not to be confused, we need to examine the Greek words that the Holy Spirit led Matthew to use. Literally, this is how it should be read:

I tell you that you are Peter (petros - a small stone), and on this rock (petra- a large rock) I will build my church

Without referring to the Greek, it is so easy to misrepresent the foundation of the church as Peter. However, Jesus was not talking about the small stone; He was talking about himself, the large rock, as the foundation.

Among the Jews, the rock as a symbol of God is quite common understanding:

The confession of Peter that centered in Christ and His divinity - "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," becomes the basis of Christ's claim that He is the foundation of the church. It is ridiculous to think that the church would be built on a feeble man like Peter. There are many occasions wherein he has demonstrated his weakness.

Paul made a very clear statement about this issue:

How does this apply for us? All of us need to take to heart that we cannot build our church on any other personality, not even on the pastor, but only on Jesus. Or probably try to build our church on programs - music or fellowships. No foundation is more solid than Jesus Christ. Whatever we are doing, we need to make sure He is the center of it.

I read that in the Berlin art gallery there is a painting by the famous artist Mengel that is only partially finished. It is supposed to be a painting of King Frederick of Germany talking to his generals. Mengel painstakingly painted the generals first around the outside of the painting. The King was left until last, leaving a bare patch in the middle of the painting with the background of generals. But Mengel died before he could finish the painting. So there is a painting full of generals but no king.

We sometimes make the same mistake as individuals or as a church. We spend so much time putting all the generals, things we think are important, and then leave out the King of kings. What is even more sad is dying without putting Him on the center of our lives.

For the church, what is the greatest advantage when He is given His proper place? Jesus himself puts it in this way:

II    A COMMISSION-CONSCIOUS CHURCH:

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven"

Secondly, in order for the church to be healthy, it must be conscious of fulfilling the great commission.

In our passage, Jesus said, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." The word 'keys' has a reference to the function of opening or unlocking. In biblical times they usually were associated with the Pharisees and Sadducees because of their function in revealing and interpreting the laws. They bring understanding to the Word of God.

Today, the "keys" have reference to the Gospel, which, by preaching we provide access to salvation. The Church has been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, the responsibility of the Church is to unlock and illuminate the truths of God and his kingdom.

The second half of the verse is complex and interesting, "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." The best translation of this is, "Whatever you bind on earth must be that which has already been bound in heaven" and "Whatever you loose on earth must be that which has already been loosed in heaven."

The idea is parallel to what Jesus said when he taught His disciples to pray - "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We must do on earth that which the Lord has already willed in heaven. Or, to put it in another way, the design of the church is to do the will of God on earth. Peter declared God's will for us:

Based on these truths, we as the church of Jesus Christ should never loose our sense of mission. We exist primarily for the people who need to know Jesus Christ.

III   A CONQUERING CHURCH:

"And the gates of Hades will not overcome it"

Finally, the Lord also highlights the fact that the church must be a conquering church.

Looking at the statement of Jesus, the most common interpretation is the church being attacked by Satan and his angels. However, examining carefully, the word "Gates" is attached to hell, which suggests that hell is on the defensive side.

I like the picture of the church storming Satan's camp according to the power God, and the church is prevailing. Indeed, the church must be on the offensive. We need to keep advancing the causes of Christ according to the power He has made available for us.

The geographical locations speak about expanding the territory of the Kingdom - from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Obviously, the church must be an army that conquers specific territories for the Kingdom of God.

How do you see our church? Are we functioning according to how we have been designed by Jesus Christ? Let's continue to work together under the grace and help of God in order to be a healthier church!