(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 over a week and we will go back to it today.
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, “The power of death will not be able to defeat my church.” Many of us have learned this line from the traditional King James Version that reads, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” I will share it with you in one more translation before we get started. The Message Bible reads, “I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Jesus took ownership of the church from inception and He maintains ownership today. The church is ultimately Jesus’ church and He will see to it that His church prevails.
- Notice the language Jesus used when mentioning the church He was building. He said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it”, “The gates of hell will not be able to keep it out.” The connotation here is one of offense and not defense. For the church to encounter the “gates” of the enemy, it means we are advancing. The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ is always advancing and it is never afraid of the powers of darkness.
- Jesus’ church operates with Jesus’ power. Therefore, the power of darkness has no power of it.
- You are a member of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are in the church and the church is in you. This means you get to operate in Jesus’ power.
- Jesus was never afraid of the power of darkness. If you are in Christ and Christ is in you, you should not be afraid either.
- As a believer you are called to be on the offensive and not the defensive. Develop an offensive mindset when it comes to your household, your children, your career, and your future. Never back down, never cave in, never give up… God Himself lives inside of you!
- The armor of God (Eph 6:10-18) provides no protection for your back, because you should never be going backwards.
- You may be called to be meek, but you are NOT called to be weak.
- Satan is already defeated. He has no power over the believer. Enter this day with your confidence firmly rooted in Jesus and His power over darkness.
- Your job is NOT to win, because Jesus already won. Your job is simply to OCCUPY until Jesus comes. You will never OCCUPY the territory God planted you in the earth to OCCUPY if you live in fear.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You sent Jesus to repair the breach between heaven and earth. Jesus paid the debt for sin and He conquered the power of death. Jesus established a church and I am in it. Jesus expected His church to be offensive minded, just like He was. Jesus was always moving in the offensive, He was not afraid of the powers of darkness, and He conquered satan and hell for me. I am now IN Christ and Christ is IN me. I don’t have to win, because Jesus already won. My role is to OCCUPY until Jesus comes back. I declare, by faith, that I will OCCUPY all the territory You sent me in the world to OCCUPY and I will TAKE IT on the offensive. I move forward and not backward. I operate in faith and not fear. Fear has no power over me. I am a climate shifter and a world changer. When I walk into a room, God just walked in. Things have to change because You live in me. I will never back down, never cave in, and never quit. Forward ever, backward never, the best is yet to come! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
