GOD’S WORD FOR  NOVEMBER 30

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THOU ART THE CHRIST

Matthew 16:13-28

Peter’s Personal Conviction (cont’d)

Second, HE BUILDS THE CHURCH.  He builds the corporate, world-wide Church of believers  by granting eternal life to those who were chosen from before the foundation of the world.  Then He gives each of its members spiritual gifts so that the ministry might flourish.

For 2,000 years the Church has survived despite persecution, scandal and heresy.  Christ has, however, sustained the church He promised to build.  Though the numbers have been comparatively small ( Matthew 7:13-14),  the cause of Christ has triumphed in the world.  The power of the Church is unleashed when the saints are put into circulation, fulfilling their God-given responsibilities.  In the end, the purposes of God will be clearly demonstrated.

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Third, CHRIST EMPOWERS THE CHURCH, FOR “THE GATES OF HADES SHALL NOT OVERPOWER IT.”  This expression, taken from the Book of Isaiah, is most probably a reference to death, specifically Christ’s own death.  He is warning the disciples that, though He will pass through the iron gates of death, this will not mean that His church will come to an end.  Indeed, as the disciples would later understand, His death was necessary to establish the Church.

Peter’s dramatic confession initiated a moving response from Christ, a personal affirmation that the Church was about to be built.  Peter would play a leading role in the drama.

When Augustine heard that Rome had been sacked, he was sorrowful but is quoted as saying, “whatever men build, men will destroy.  Let’s get on with building the Kingdom of God!”

Yes, men will destroy what they build, but what God builds will endure.

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Romans 10:17 ~ ~ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 12:2 ~ ~ looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 16:16-18  (Amplified for clarity) ~ ~ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.”  Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ].

Matthew 7:13-14 ~ ~ Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

1 John 4:19 ~ ~ We love Him because He first loved us.

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