Intro:

• Change Your World series
  • Jesus brings change
  • Change your mind
  • Change by bringing order
  • Change your environment 
  • Today: Churches that Change the World

Segue:

• I’ve seen churches that change the world
  • Churches that respond to crisis
    • Hurricanes, floods, shootings, bombs
  • Churches that provide an example to the world 
    • Solid marriages
    • How to love and forgive (Charleston African Methodist Episcopal church)
  • Churches that teach the world about Christ
    • Through television, radio
  • Churches that bring healing
    • Dream Center
    • Salvation Army 
• I’ve seen churches that don’t change the world
  • Churches without passion
  • Churches in quarrel
  • Churches without a focus
  • Churches without the Spirit
• What is God’s desire for the church

Matthew 16:13-19 (NLT) 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Commentary on this passage

• He asked THEM - anybody could have answered
• Peter answered a RADICAL answer. It took a lot for Him to come to this conclusion, truly a miracle. The Father revealed it to Him. 
• Jesus had given Peter the name “Rocky”. It was Cephas in Aramaic, but Petros in Greek. 
  • Jesus does a play on words here. He says, “You are PETROS, and on this PETRA, I will build my church.” In other words you are a pebble, and on this boulder, or cornerstone, I will build my church! 
  • The PETRA Jesus is referring to is the revelation of who He is. He is referring to the revelation that He is the Son of God!
• I will build my ekklesia 
  • The word means a gathering of people, called from their homes, to assemble and in some instances pass judgement. 
• All the powers of hell will not conquer it!
  • If you wonder about the church making it or not…
  • Christ intends on His church being:
    • STRONG
    • UNSTOPPABLE 
    • VICIOUSLY ATTACKED
• I will give you the keys. Whatever you forbid, and whatever you permit, will be the same in heaven and on earth.
  • This speaks to the revelation of how to get in.
  • This speaks to the authority to allow or permit

The REAL Church of Jesus Christ is.

• Built on HIM
• Extremely powerful
• Extremely hated by hell
• And filled with authority 

1. Churches with a CONFESSION - They will boldly say who Jesus is 
   1. Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.
   2. Confession takes revelation
   3. Confession takes decision
   4. Confession takes boldness
   5. Confession of faith is ROCK that cannot be shaken
   6. Jesus is the Rock that cannot be shaken 
   7. Apostles Creed
      1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
      2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
      3. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
   8. Ultimately, our confession, believed in our hearts, and said out of our mouths is a source of strength. 
2. Churches on the CORNERSTONE 
   1. Matthew 16:18 - “and upon this rock I will build my church”
   2. 1 Peter 2:4–5 (NLT) — 4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
   3. Churches the preach Christ
   4. Churches that stay connected to Christ
   5. Churches that don’t move out beyond Christ
3. Churches with a CONVICTION - They will endure through the suffering
   1. Matthew 16:18 “and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” 
   2. Enduring churches
      1. Press through hard times
      2. Keep the fire burning
      3. Keep damaging hell in the process
   3. Jesus’ commendation to churches in revelations
      1. Endurance
      2. Through hard times
      3. Through persecution
      4. Through suffering and poverty
      5. Through opposition 
      6. Through devastation
      7. Through tough environments 
4. Churches with a COMMISSION - They will love people and let people in the door
   1. Matthew 16:19 (NLT) — 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
   2. This is a phrase that implies authority.
   3. This is a phrase that implies access. 
   4. This means that we have the way to eternal life. 

Let’s make this personal

• What’s your confession
• What’s your cornerstone
• What’s your conviction
• What’s your commission