July 21 | Disciples Build the Church
Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of [hell] will not overcome it.”
When Jesus was on the earth He had a two-part mission; the first part of His mission was to redeem lost mankind by His death on the cross and the second part was to build a living organization that would remain after His departure to heaven and represent His Kingdom upon the earth.
The living organization that Jesus came to start is called the “church.” The Greek word for church is, “ekklesia.” Generally speaking, the word ekklesia means, “the called out ones who gather together.” Specifically, the Church of Jesus Christ refers to disciples who have been called out of the world and gather together to know God and to make Him known.
The main purpose for Jesus making disciples was so that we could be members of His church and spread the Word of God to all the nations. The church is the representative of God’s Kingdom on the earth.
One day Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was. Peter received a revelation from the Father and said that Jesus was the “Christ” or the “Anointed One.” Jesus then replied in Matthew 16:17-18, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of [hell] will not overcome it.” Jesus declared to Peter that it was upon the revelation of who He was, that He would build His church and that Satan himself could not stop it.
Gates, like those around an enemy’s prison camp, are meant to keep the captives inside and the rescuers outside. Tragically, since Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, Satan has established his gates of authority around people’s lives as the “god of this age.” He has done all that he can to keep people trapped in his captivity (2 Corinthians 4:4). Thankfully, Jesus came and destroyed the works of the devil on the cross (1 John 3:8). Now, as Christ’s disciples, we can invade the enemy’s prison camp and set the sinners free (Luke 4:18).
After Jesus’ resurrection He said in Matthew 28:18-20, “18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Therefore, because of the disciples’ obedience throughout the years, Jesus is the most well known name of all time, the Bible is the most read book and Christianity is the largest religion in the world!
Today, join a good church (if you haven’t already) and build it with the power of God as a co-worker with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9). When you help build the church with the knowledge of who Jesus is and with the power of God, the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The gates of hell will not prevail against your house, community, city or nation! And don’t worry about the other things in life that you need to build, like your career or family, because Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” My Dad, a successful Christian businessman always taught me, “When you take care of God’s house, He will take care of your house!”
Reflection
Do you want to build the church with Jesus?
Action
- Be committed to a good local church with your time, talents and finances.
- Do whatever it takes to become a faithful leader in your church.
- Be a faithful co-laborer with Jesus to build the church!