Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church

As Jesus was talking with his disciples during a visit to Caesarea Philippi, He asked them who did people say the Son of Man is? They told him “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others say, Jeremiah or one of the prophets”.

So He asked them, “What about you? Who do you say I am“?

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”.

Jesus told him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 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. (Matthew 16:13-18)

Simon Peter (Shim’on Kefa)

When Simon declares the truth of who Jesus truly is, Jesus became very excited and declared that Simon was indeed blessed. So blessed that He gave him the name Kefa (the hebrew name for Peter), which means Rock.

Although Simon’s brother, Andrew, met Jesus first, it was Simon that became his first disciple. What is a disciple? According to Free Dictionary, a disciple is someone who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. If I could read Simon Peter (Shim’on Kefa) as the very definition, I would read that a disciple is someone that is bold, courageous and sold out for Christ no matter the cost. A disciple is someone that learns from the Teacher and go and do likewise. They go out and spread the Good News(Gospel) of Jesus Christ. According to the lives of Peter and the other apostles, disciples don’t wait until Saturday or Sunday. They are devoted to The Lord’s Mission Everyday.

We should go and do likewise.

The Beginning of The Church

The Church started the day of Pentecost. The day that the Spirit of God descended from heaven onto the disciples and others. They were immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peter made it clearly known to the crowd of people on the day of Pentecost, that the Jesus whom they crucified was indeed both Lord and Messiah. (Acts 2:36)

They asked the disciples “what should we do”? *What must I do to be saved*.

Peter in all his boldness for the Messiah blatantly said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call”.

Simon Peter goes on to say, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation“.

About three thousand souls were added to The Church (Body of Christ). That was just in one day.

It was all through the power of the Holy Spirit. Deliverance of souls, healing of sicknesses, talking of tongues, raising the dead…all in the name of our great Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, that the apostles were able to do those miraculous things.

They saw. They heard. They learned. They did. They had faith. With faith, knowledge and wisdom, comes power.

The Holy Ghost Power.

Question is, why are there now many members of the Body of Christ not acting in that power and authority?

Modern Day Christians

After many generations, it seems like the willingness, boldness and devotion to the Lord has died down and people are doing what the Word tells them not to do…conform (Romans 12:2).

There are too many people that claim “Christian” until it’s time to be Christian (follower of Christ). There are too many churchgoers that care more about going to church once a week “because it’s tradition” and less about being the Church daily. There are some pastors that are not shepherding God’s sheep and not teaching them how to be fruitful and multiply the body of Christ (The Church).

No one has ever said that the Mission of Christ is easy, safe and comfortable.

The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, which means, ‘called-out ones’. If God has called you out, that means that He has set you apart from the rest. It takes boldness to be set apart and not blend in with the rest of the world. It takes boldness to be a light in this dark world. It takes boldness to stand for the Truth against family, friends and anything that you only knew before but wasn’t the truth at all or just partly truth.

Personal Story

I grew up in the church, but I was never taught how to be The Church. Just a few years back, I had gotten real close to Jesus and our relationship grew more than ever. He had shown and taught me things that I was never shown or taught before. *That’s a benefit of actually having a relationship with Him.

Lately, God has been putting much emphasis on “being The Church” and sharing the Good News.

Just this past Sunday, I skipped church. No I didn’t get convicted lol. God needed me to meet with Him somewhere else and to hear a certain message. The place he led me to was the park in the town I live in. We often meet there on my walks or just when I need to hear from Him. Something about nature that connects us together.

The message I needed to hear was from Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch and the message was ‘We Are The Church pt. 1’. I tuned in via the internet. Lately, Pastor Groeschel messages have been aligned with what God has been talking to me about. I just know, God is getting His Church together in ways that we are not used to or comfortable with. But these same ways have already been done by His apostles and we need to go and do likewise.

We cannot bring someone to salvation by being half way in and half way out. We have to be all the way in for Christ even if it means to let some things or people go that is hindering our walk and mission with the Lord.

Conclusion

For those that only preach to people these words, “you should just come to church” or look down on people that do not attend church, the best thing for you to do is Be The Church. It is nothing wrong at all for inviting someone to church, that is actually a good thing. The problem arises when church members do not share the Good News and do not live as representatives of Christ. They just go to church and judge those that don’t.

Jesus is the Rock and Foundation that we will build upon. While this world is ever-changing, my God stays solid. And on that solid rock, He will build His church.

Will you be bold, courageous and set apart for the glory of Christ? Or will you shy away, cower down and let the opinions of others dim your light? These questions are not just for you, but me and other followers of Christ as well.

Will you go be The Church and preach the Good News or preach Hell to those that don’t come to church?

Remember, you may be the only Bible a person reads. When they read you, what are they reading?

Like Peter, we have to be fishers of men. Bring souls to Christ by the way we live, act, behave and what we preach.

Thank you for reading, Monique ST

^{Additional Reading: The four Gospels and Book of Acts.}