WATC…Built Upon the Rock
Posted by pastor on January 6, 2009
We saw this past Sunday, from Matthew 16:13-19, that the church is 1) a gathering or assembly of people 2) that belong to Jesus and 3) are established upon the confession of Jesus as the Christ, or in other words, the Gospel. I think there are some heavy implications arising from this truth.
First, our identity in Christ is heavily invested in our identity as the church, who is the bride of Christ. The church is not simply a collection of individuals who have been saved, but it is a whole made up of many parts. The individualistic thinking that is common to Americans is probably not as consistent with a biblical understanding of the church. If we see ourselves as united in one spirit, one baptism, by one Savior, and sharing one common salvation, then I think hearts and attitudes toward one another would be impacted.
Second, acknowledging that I do not belong to myself, but to another, is a radical shift from the worldly culture. And in the context of the church, understanding that she belongs to Jesus is understanding that it is not me who gets to make the decisions, but Christ. What I want or what I think is best is not the issue – Scripture must determine how the church is structured, how it functions, and what it does and does not do. Where Scripture speaks, we simply listen and follow. Where Scripture does not speak, we can work within biblical bounds to be as effective as possible.
Third, if this is true, then everything that we do as the church must be centered on and supportive of the Gospel. Being established upon the rock of the Gospel of Jesus Christ means that it is our lifeblood. All of our ministries, programs, events, classes – in short, everything – must be grounded in and centered on the Gospel of Christ.
When you hear these implications, what thoughts are sparked? What applications come to mind? What are some specific ways that we can be faithful and effective concerning the truths we find in Matthew 16:13-19?
