Growing up I played basketball all the time. One of the Games we would always play was 21. The game would be played till one person scored 21 points. I really did not start growing until I was almost out of High School, so I found myself playing people bigger and stronger than me all the time. Most people would get a rebound and be able to play against one defender to attempt another score. I, however, had to usually play against several defenders to make a basket. They would look at this skinny little guy and think I was an easy target for the dreaded double team. As any great player knows, you have to play to your strengths and maximize your opponents weaknesses. I was a really good shooter, so I focused a lot of my attention on getting the ball out of my hand as quickly as possible. This process taught me an incredible lesson. If I keep the ball, I can’t be beat. As long as I made my free throws and hit my shots, it did not matter who I was playing against. If you do not have the ball, you can not score!!
As with so many things in life, this lesson translates so well into our lives as believers. In Matthew chapter 16 there is an account of Jesus entering into the area of Caesarea Philippi. He asks His disciples about His true identity. After several proposals, Peter hits the nail on the head and Jesus confirms his answer. Jesus then goes on to say one of the most overlooked statements in all of scripture. Jesus says, “And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
4 Key Observations from this Passage
- A healthy church can be built anywhere- In Caesarea Philippi, there was a certain pagan temple on a high mountain to the false goat god Pan. The priests of pan and the worshippers would do horrible acts with goats in the outer courts of the temple. Could you imagine seeing this in your city while walking with your kids to the store to get milk. I find it hard to believe that anyone, at least those in America, have to face this kind of crazy environment on a daily basis. And it was in this city, that our Savior says the church will go forward. He was not overwhelmed or intimidated by his surroundings.
- You are the perfect candidate for the job- Simon, as he was labeled since birth, could not have expected what was God was going to use him to do. All he had to do is give himself over to the will of Almighty God, and God did the rest. Jesus will find us dead in our sins and bring to life the rock in each of us. If you commit yourself to the purposes and plans of God, He promises to direct your path. Even if God places you in the darkest of situations, know that you are exactly what is needed to bring the light.
- You are never on Defense!- The church has for far to long has given the enemy way to much credit for things. Jesus says that the GATES of hell will not be able prevail against us. What are Gates used to do? To protect what you have and keep unwanted visitors out. When Adam and Eve fell from the garden, Sin entered into the World. God has repaired the damage ever since. That is the very reason God sent His son to earth. The literal translation refers to the gates not being able to contain the advancement of the kingdom. If we have to ball, why are we not scoring? We must look so silly, holding the ball while standing in a defensive position. We have to stop spending all our time on protection and defense. We need to go out into our cities and score.
- You set the boundaries and make the rules- Jesus has given us the keys to the kingdom. This means if we as a church put our hearts towards something, the enemy can not stop us. We bind and loose the rules of the game and how things are going to play out. This doesn’t mean we will not face obstacles or tragedy. It just simple means, we will have the last say as long as we do not lose heart.
Really like point #3 reminds me of two instances when the church moved forward and the leaders went from being on the defensive to the offensive. 1st was Moses when he listened to his father in law and he delegated rulers over groups. He went from responding to complaints to getting them the heck out of the desert. 2nd was when the disciples were on the defensive by hearing the complaints from the grecian jews who’s widow’s were not being fed. They, like Moses, empowered others to do the work, they led again and the church grew rapidly.
Great blog Brad. Keep kickin it in the NYC