The Church that Jesus builds (Part 1)

In Matthew 16:13-21, we encounter one of the most pivotal declarations in Scripture: 'I will build my church.' This passage invites us to completely reimagine what 'church' actually means. The Greek word 'ekklesia' doesn't refer to buildings or institutions, but to a called-out assembly of people—God's representatives in the world. Just as Roman citizens gathered to discuss things of the empire, Jesus announces He's building a community that will represent His kingdom. This isn't about attending services; it's about becoming living stones in something God Himself is constructing. The passage challenges us with the fundamental question Peter faced: 'Who do you say I am?' Our answer cannot be secondhand religion or cultural Christianity. The Holy Spirit must reveal Jesus personally to each of us—not as a good teacher or prophet, but as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. This revelation becomes the bedrock upon which Jesus builds His church. When we truly know who Jesus is, we become part of a powerful movement that storms the gates of darkness rather than hiding behind our own gates. We're given keys to the kingdom, authority to bind and loose, permission to establish God's way of living wherever we go. This is a call to active, transformative faith that models a better way of life to a watching world.