(Read Matthew 16:13-20)
This morning continue our overarching series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter and our study brought us to Matthew chapter 16. We have looked at this passage for a few days and this morning we go back to it.
The Bible says, “Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, “Who do people say I am?” They answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus said to his followers, “And who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No one taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys to God’s kingdom. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God’s judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God’s forgiveness.” Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone he was the Messiah.”
Today I am going to focus in on the words, “So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock.” If you simply take that statement outside of the context of the overall conversation, you can make the mistake of thinking Jesus said He was going to build His church on Peter; as if Peter is the rock the church was built on. Believe it or not, millions of Christians believe this and it has led to, in my opinion, a far-too-heavily weighted reliance on and opinion of a man. In context, Simon communicated the revelation he received from the Father of who Jesus really is, the Messiah. Jesus in turn called him Peter and then said He was going to build His church on the revelation of who He is, not on Peter.
The Greek word used in the Bible for Peter is Petros. This word means: a rock or a stone; a piece of a larger rock. The Greek word used in the Bible for the “rock” Jesus was going to build His church upon is Petra. This word means: a rock, cliff or ledge; a projecting rock; a large stone. Peter was made to be a rock, but he was simply a chip off of a larger rock.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- God’s church is built on the revelation of who Jesus is, not on any man.
- While God is infinite and perfect, men are finite and flawed. If your walk with Christ is based on following a man (a mere human), your walk is susceptible to human frailty.
- Humans make mistakes. Christian leaders are susceptible to error. So your walk with Christ should never be focused or contingent upon a man.
- You should honor your Pastor as leader, but you worship Your God as Lord. Never worship a man.
- If a Christian leader makes a mistake it should not cause his/her followers to doubt their God. If their faith was in the man they were wrong in the first place. The failure should lead to intercession for the fallen leader and further reliance on a faultless God.
- The foundation for Christianity is the revelation of who Jesus is – nothing more, nothing less.
- You can be a Buddhist without ever having met the Buddha, you can be a Muslim without ever having met Mohammed, but if you are going to be a Christian you have to meet Christ for yourself!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You freely offer eternal life by grace to all who believe in Your Son. Jesus died for our sin. He did this freely. It was an act of grace. We did nothing to earn or deserve it. Our role is is to now accept Jesus as Lord by faith. Our faith accesses Your grace for eternal life. This is how we are Born-Again. Your church is built on the revelation of who Your Son is, not on any man. Men are flawed. You are perfect. Men fail. You cannot fail. Men fall and falter. You stand forever. I honor the leaders You have placed before me. I serve under Your Lordship and their leadership. But I never place leader above Lord. My eyes are fixed and focused on You. It is the revelation of who Jesus is that brought me into Your Kingdom and it is this very same revelation that will bring others. Use me today Father, to be a walking/talking billboard for Christ. The world will see Jesus today, because they will see Him IN ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
