The Builder of the Church

 

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).

 

Whenever Mary and I can travel to the Smokies we inevitably end up driving through the 11-mile loop of Cades Cove. It is a beautiful part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The views are spectacular; wildlife is often spotted along the road; and the restored buildings are rich in history. One of my favorite stops along the one-way route is the Primitive Baptist Church (pictured here). It is one of the churches that have been restored and open to the public. I suppose I’m a little partial to this church because of the original cornerstone placed just outside the building. It reminds me of the declaration of Jesus in our reading today.

 

No church building will last forever. It is after all merely temporary. However, since Jesus is the One who builds the church on the secure foundation of faith. The Church will never cease to exist until He comes again and re-establishes His kingdom on the earth forever. This was the heart of His teaching when He asked the disciples: “Who do you say I am?” Peter got the answer correct. And, as Jesus told Peter, it was God who revealed it to him. The Spirit of God gives us the faith to believe. God produces in us both the will to believe and the belief itself (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

What’s more, when we believe, we receive, like Peter, the promise of a future with Christ. Jesus says he will build his church—that is, the body of all believers—and the powers of death and hell will not overcome it. The main thing to remember here is that Jesus says, “I will build my church.” It’s not ours or anyone else’s. There are times when we are tempted to forget that truth. We must not give in to it! It is His from start to finish!