The Reporter     Volume 47 # 17,  --  April 27, 2007

 

"I Will Build My Church"

– Matthew Sixteen –  

 

   The Pharisees and Sadducees were very much opposed to each other in their conduct and doctrine. However, they joined against Christ to trap Him. They had not been satisfied with the signs that Jesus had given them to prove that He was the Messiah. They desired a sign of their own choosing. No such sign would be given. 

 

   The disciples were worried because they forgot to take bread as they went across the lake. Jesus reminded them of the feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000 and how much was left over. When Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" "He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:12) 

 

   Matthew sixteen contains the Lord's promise to build His church. Matthew is the only Gospel in which the word church appears. Following Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus said, "That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

 

   One purpose set forth in Matthew 16 was to provide a prediction of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew proved beyond doubt the Jesus  is the Messiah,  the Son of God. There was also a challenge to give up everything and follow Him. When one follows Jesus he lives a life that is defined by the will and way of God and shaped in the image of the Lord.

 

   The danger of false doctrine – Matthew 16:1-12: The Pharisees and Sadducees were seeking a sign from heaven. Hatred for Jesus had brought together this strange coalition. There were the Pharisees that believed in the resurrection, spirits and angels and the Sadducees that did not. They asked for a "sign from heaven." Those seeking a sign were "a wicked and adulterous" generation. The only sign they would receive was, "the sign of the prophet Jonah." In our day it is not unusual to see those in denominational error join forces against Christ, His church and His truth.

 

   "Jesus said, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" simply meant beware of their doctrine." (Matthew 16:12) The lack of physical bread was no problem for Him who could feed multitudes with only a small amount. But, false doctrine always poses a serious problem for those that would follow Jesus.

 

   I will build My church – Matthew 16:13-18: Jesus promised to build His church. It is still true, "Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it..." (Psalm 127:1) Jesus was not John, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Those that thought Him to be so were wrong. Peter said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)

 

   Jesus promised to build His church. Observe: (1) The foundation -- "upon this rock", (2) The certainty -- "I will build My church", (3) The owner -- "I will build My church", (4) The nature of it -- "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it", (5) The authority involved -- "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven." Jesus kept His promise and built His church. (Acts 2) He is both foundation and chief corner stone for His church.

 

   It was God's eternal purpose that men should serve Him in the one church that Jesus built. Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled unto God in one body or one church. (Ephesians 2:16) There is only one true church for all nations. (Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesians 4:4) This one body is also called the church in Colossians 1:18. The one true church was purchased by the blood of Jesus. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) The church began on the Pentecost Day following the resurrection of Christ. On that day sinners were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) Three thousand people gladly received the word and were baptized. These people were added by the Lord to His church. (Acts 2:47) Today you can be a part of that same church that Christ built!

 

   A prediction of suffering, death and resurrection – Matthew 16:21-23: There was no way for Jesus or His disciples but the way of the cross. "From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." (Matthew 16:21)

 

   Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about suffering, dying, and being resurrected. Jesus called him "Satan." "...Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:23) Satan was using Peter to speak a message to Jesus. Satan uses many voices today to have his message heard.

 

   We must understand the necessity of the cross if we are to understand Christianity. Christianity would make no sense apart from the sacrifice of Jesus. What a shock it must have been to the disciples when Jesus told them that (1) He would suffer at Jerusalem, (2) that He would suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, (3) that He would be killed, and (4) That He would be raised again the third day. Jerusalem was the city of sacrifices where our Passover Lamb died for our sins. (1 Corinthians  5:7) John the Baptist had said "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

 

   A challenge for a lifetime commitment – Matthew 16:24-28: The challenge was simple "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24) To deny self is to say no to self and yes to God. To deny oneself means to deny one's own idea and accept God's word as the only absolute truth. To follow Jesus means to learn of Him. To follow Jesus means to learn His lifestyle and to imitate it.

 

   The greatest challenge of a lifetime is not the highest mountain or the fastest speed. The greatest challenge of life is to follow Jesus. This means that real sacrifices will be made for God. (Matthew 16:25) A true disciple gladly gives up all that he has in exchange for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God expects you to give yourself. Anything less would mean the lose of your soul. (Matthew 16:26) But those that live for the glory of God will live forever and will receive that everlasting reward, eternal life.

 

   Are you ready to lose all for Jesus Christ in order to gain all with Jesus Christ? Our greatest privilege is to be in the blood bought church of Christ. To be saved you must hear the gospel, (Romans 10:17); believe in Jesus, (John 8:24); repent of sins, (Luke 13:3); confess Jesus as Lord, (Romans 10:9-10); and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) God will then add you, as a living stone to the church that He built.

 

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Mildred Johnson (mother of Walter Johnson), and St Vincent’s Hospital, Birmingham: Barbara Parker (sister of Lisa Garlock). In Need Of Prayers: Jody Barr, Linda Bender, Emily Cain, Marie Curlee, Nelson Daughtry, Buddy Davis, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Latrelle Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Billy Heartsill, James Hill, Darrell Jones, Wanda Kyser, Mary Lawrence, Steve McCreary, Steve Osborne, Mary Powell, John Reynolds, Shirley Schofield, Ottey Simno, Roger Strange, Barry Woods, and Melissa Woodruff. Crowne Health Care: Linda Conway, Ileane Fussell, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Doris Taylor and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, and Jean Hayes.

 

2. Baptized Into Christ:  We welcome Donna Patterson into the body of Christ. Her address is 254 Huggins Street, McKenzie, Alabama 36456. Her birthday is April 14^th. Phone 334-374-0159. Please welcome this precious Sister to the Walnut Street Church of Christ.

 

3. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Jason Godwin, Michael Howell, Kimberly Williams, Taylor Bodie, and Lynn Kervin. Pray for them often!

 

4. Fifth Sunday Meal: There will be a meal after morning worship on Sunday (April 29^th). We would like to invite our visitors and everyone else to stay and enjoy the fellowship with us.

 

5. School Play: The Greenville High School production of “Winnie-The-Pooh” will have a matinee Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Greenville High School auditorium. The admission is $3.00. Our own Tyler Ray is “Pooh”.

 

6. Thanks: Thanks to Darrell Powell, Stacey Harrell and Ricky Bagents for helping preach and teach class while Charles was in Guyana. It is always enjoyable to have the men from the church to preach for us.

 

7. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: May 1^st Clay Newton, May 2^nd Daie Johnson, and May 4^th Ricky Bagents.

 

8. Thank You: May kindness return to you in the same beautiful way that it was given. Thank you so much for the card you all signed and all of your prayers. All my Love, Wanda Kyser Ann’s Mom

 

9. Guyana Trip: Darrell and Jamie Powell, Marcus Harrell, Tyler Ray, Meaghan Till, and Morgan Till will be in Guyana June 2^nd-11^th. Prayers and financial support would be greatly appreciated. (Each person must raise a mini-mum of $1,610.00 for this trip.)

 

10. Backwoods Christian Camp: (a) Our week at Backwoods will be July 8-13. Camp fees will again be paid from the Carl Sessions Camp Fund for all Walnut Street youths that participate. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center. Get them filled out and back to Darrell right away! You can also print a copy of the form from our website at: http://walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org/backwoods/backwoods_christian_camp_2007.htm. (b) The Backwoods Christian Camp walk-a-thon will be May 12^th (after the prayer breakfast at the Lowery’s). Pease sponsor our youth who will be walking.

 

11. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) May 5^th – Prattville Church of Christ – Men’s Workshop – Becoming Ephesians Fathers God’s Home Improvement Plan – Time 8:30 – 3:00 – RSVP by April 30^th. (b) June 15^th – 16^th – Backwoods Christian Camp – June Bug 2007 – Science and the Bible – K4 – 4^th grade – Cost $30 – Time begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday ends at 3:00 p.m. Saturday (c) September 24^th – 26^th – Regions University – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Embassy Suites, Montgomery.

 

12. Thank You: We want you to know how much you have done to help the people in Wowetta and Kwatamang. The building in Kwatamang is almost complete. You also provided seed for their gardens and a large number of Bibles. God bless all that have helped with this great work.

 

Have Courage

 

   While Israel was at war with Syria, Elisha, the man of God prophesied. He informed the King of Israel that the Syrians would be in “such and such a place,” so that the Israelites could set up an ambush. This he did more than once, and it began to vex the Syrian king. So the king found Elisha and sent horses, chariots, and a great army there. The army encompassed the entire city of Dothan, and Elisha’s servant arose early and went out where he was taken aback by what he saw. He hurried inside to inform his master and said, “Alas, my master!  What shall we do?” Then, confidently Elisha made this statement of faith, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then, Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be open. The Lord immediately opened his eyes, and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, forming a wall of protection around him and Elisha (II Kings 6:8-17). 

 

   It is time that we fearful servants open our eyes and see that those who are with us are more than those who are with them. No, we are not assured that a great physical army will protect us from harm, but this should not discourage us. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…but against the rulers of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6:12). We are at war with the Devil, but we should not fear, for we have been given an arsenal of armor and powerful weaponry (Ephesians 6:13-17). Have faith in this, and there is no reason why we should not be brave just as Elisha was when he stared death in the face. Believe as Paul did when he said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

 

   I challenge you today to open your eyes and see the power you have been given. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation.” (Romans 1:16)  Believe it (John 8:24), obey it (Acts 2:38), and share it (Mark 16:15-16)!

 

- - - - Darrell Powell

 

“Love one Another”

 

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)