We
see in Matthew 16:13-19 where Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. 13 When Jesus came to the
region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son
of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others
say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But
what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus
replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you
by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates
of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of
the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The correct teaching
of this passage is that it is not about Peter! It's about the
confession itself, those making the confession, and the Christ of the
confession Himself are all ingredients of a church that will be so potent that
the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. The church is described as "prevailing"!
Most churches tend to be precautious – lifeless, powerless, visionless, defeated. This term describes a church that is free from failure only because of its unwillingness to attempt great accomplishments for the sake of God and His kingdom. They believe that they have: Everything to lose and nothing to gain.
Prevailing means – gaining the advantage or mastery, being
victorious, effective, lasting, stronger. This is term Jesus used to
describe the character of His church. Their mission believes that they have: Everything
to gain and nothing to lose.
Come on church let's be the prevailing entity (in Jesus' Name)) that we're called to be! Amen?