Building a relevant church

Matthew 16v18

INTRODUCTION

Last week we reflected on how the world has changed since 9/11. As well as the legacy of Afghanistan and Iraq, we have had a financial crisis, the collapse of the banking system, and cuts in government spending. In the light of this, it seems as if the optimism of the nineties has now faded. In this context, Jesus says, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”

The beginning of the 21st Century also heralded a new form of atheism. Now faith in God is not just to be tolerated; it is to be vehemently opposed. This is reflected in much of our society today. In this context, Jesus says, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”

Crabtree Church is fifty years old and has seen many ups and many downs. At present, our numbers are moderate and growth is less than moderate. In this context, Jesus says, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” The ‘I’ in this statement should help us build a relevant church, and it leads to our first point…

A RELEVANT CHURCH KNOWS

Who do people say I am

Jesus and his disciples were in Caesarea Philippi just north of Galilee. This was a centre for syncretism. In this context, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is? Some were saying he was John the Baptist. Others said he was Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus then asked his disciples. “Who do you say I am?” To build a relevant church, we need to know the answer to this question.

Knowing Jesus as the Christ

Peter was the first to respond. He said, “You are the Christ… the Son of the Living God. Notice the definite articles here: “You are The Christ The Son of The living God.” Notice too how Peter changed the words from ‘Son of Man’ to ‘Son of God.’ Son of Man emphasises Jesus’ humanity, whereas Son of God speaks of his deity. In his response, Peter acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah. Knowing this is how a church becomes relevant and continues to be relevant.

Jesus then said in v18, “You are Petros (meaning rock) and on this rock, I will build my church.” The early church was partly built on Peter’s leadership, but it is more than this. The church is built on knowing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Our hope is built on Christ

The inspired response of Peter in v16 is the foundation on which to build a relevant church. It is a firm belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness; we dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, we stand; all other ground is sinking sand. Jesus said to Peter, “On this rock, I will build my church” (not Peter’s Church, our church, or my church. Jesus builds his church.

In v17, Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed are you for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.” To build a relevant church today we need a similar experience. We need to know by divine revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. When we know this, we will be a relevant church, and…

A RELEVANT CHURCH GROWS

The church’s one foundation

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “I will build my church.” The Message is more dynamic when it says, “This is the rock on which I will put together my church.”

Observing growth

The word build means to create something substantial. In Matthew 16, this is applied to the church… not as a physical building, an institution, or a social activity. The church is an ecclesia or a called out people. We are called out of the world to serve God and his people.
Since Jesus said he will build his church, it has grown phenomenally. At times, it may appear that nothing is happening, but there has been and there is steady growth. Ephesians 2:21 says that in Christ the church, like a building, is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

We are part of this growth

Jesus is building his church, and we should rejoice if we are part of this growth. Some of us may not be involved or we may be tired, but Galatians 6:9 says we should not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. We must not give up. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” I will build my church to know, I will build my church to grow, and I will build my church to go…

A RELEVANT CHURCH GOES

Jesus will build his church

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “On this rock, I will build my church.” Jesus is emphatic. He says, “I will build my church. It is not just in the affirmative; it is in the continuous tense. There is never a time when these words have not been true. Jesus said, I will build my church… and he will.

Nothing can stop the growth

Notice the contrast in v18. Jesus said, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Hades is the equivalent of Sheol in the Old Testament. It is the realm of the dead. Jesus could be referring to his own death (v21) or to death in general, but neither will stop the growth of the church. In fact, his death starts it!

The word prevail means, to get the upper hand, and God’s enemies have always tried to do this with the church. It was seen at the birth of Christ and during his life. Since then, many have tried to get the upper hand over the church. Today, it is happening with great force. Some say the church will soon be extinct, but Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” The enemies of God may push against God and his kingdom, but they will not prevail.

Church growth continues in us

To be a relevant church, 1 Peter 2:4–6 says, “We should come to him, the living Stone… because in him, we too are living stones being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.” Peter (Petros) then quotes Isaiah 26:16: “In Zion, I lay a stone… a precious cornerstone, and those who trust in him will never be put to shame.” We will not be humiliated because we believe in a relevant church, we belong to a relevant church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Conclusion

One dictionary says to be relevant is to have a significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand… to be nearby. To be relevant, a church has to be nearby. We have to be near Christ, we have to be near each other, and we have to be near the world. As we do this, we will know him, we will grow in him, we will go in him, and Jesus will build his church.

Bernard Cartledge