Matthew 16:13-20 part 2

Matthew 16:13-20 ESV Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.” Then He strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ.

God gave Peter a revelation of who and what Jesus is. That revelation became the foundation of Peter’s faith. It was the spiritual rock on which God built the transformed Peter into a mighty man of God. The Holy Spirit enlightened Peter as to the true nature of Jesus. Once the Holy Spirit indwelt Peter at Pentecost, He gave Peter the power to become a mighty man of God.

It was the Holy Spirit’s continuing work of revelation and empowerment that Jesus said would be the rock on which He would build His church. God is not looking for mighty men to advance His kingdom. God wants humble men who will allow Him to build His kingdom in them and through them. If we are willing to submit ourselves and let God transform us, He will do mighty things.

When God works in and through us, the gates of hell tremble. When God advances His kingdom, He does so at the expense of the kingdom of hell. There is no neutral spiritual territory. Everything is either in the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of hell. Therefore, when God allows us to be part of His advance, we are taking territory (souls) that once belonged to hell.

Christians are supposed to be an invasion force. Jesus said the gates of hell will not stand against us. Gates are defensive in nature. We should be waging a constant offensive war against the devil and his minions, continually taking souls that previously belonged to him and bringing them into a relationship with God.

Of course, it isn’t us who brings salvation, it is the Lord. We have the privilege of being the vessels through which He works.

Sadly, the Church in America is mostly content to hunker down and try to protect what we have. That is why it is woefully ineffective. We are not designed to be defenders. We are called to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). God empowers us to attack and defeat, not hold on for dear life.

Allow the Holy Spirit to build your faith into a solid rock on which God can build His church. Let Him empower you to storm the gates of hell daily. Then you will experience how awesome the Christian life can be.

Lord, do Your work in me and through me. Take what I offer and transform it into something awesome. Prepare me for battle and strengthen me for the attack. Allow me to experience the gates of hell toppling before Your might!