Matthew 16:13-19 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 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. 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. 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.”
I’m going to build a church, an ecclesia, called out ones, and attack the gates of hell.
World – network for your cause, Kingdom – network for His cause
World – sin is external, Kingdom – sin is first a heart issue
World – our efforts are about image, Kingdom – we serve for Him
World – happiness is about pleasure, Kingdom – trust in God’s sovereign care.
What if church wasn’t a place but a movement attacking the gates of hell.
What if the church could be the church envisioned by Jesus.
When Bible talks of attacking the gates of hell or pulling down strongholds, it is not an individual deal, it is always the church.
Ephesians 3:10 - His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
In Matthew 16, Jesus was attacked by the right and the left. (Pharisees and Sadducees)
If we are the church, we will be attacked by the right and the left.
What would it look like if people in your church looked at the worst part of your city/region and moved there?
Some of us don’t need to move to a new neighborhood, we need to be present in our neighborhood – and stop going to so many Bible studies.
What it would like for the church to be the church in these domains of darkness and brokenness in our city/region?
This is the gospel. The church is on the move.
What if God got a hold of your imagination and we began to rethink what we’re thinking about church? Why not your church? Why not your city? Why not you?
Jesus is going to tell you plant the gospel, to be the church and attack the gates of hell.
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