The Overcoming Church

Jesus is now about to explain where the power came to overcome the powers of darkness. He asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

Jesus went on to reveal how Peter didn’t come up with this revelation on his own, but that the Father revealed it to him. Jesus then said something that should rock our world, and the church.

“And I also 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.” (Matthew 16:18-19)

This rock Jesus was to build His church on, the likes of which not even Satan and all of hell can contend with, is not Peter, which Roman Catholicism has claimed, but the confession Peter made, that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

An overcoming church, one in which the keys of the Kingdom of God are given to bind the powers of hell and loose the powers of heaven, is one in which this truth is lifted up and lived out.

Jesus said if He were lifted up, He would draw all people unto Himself (John 3:14).

The church should then be careful not to lift up anything else, not if it wants the power of God to be manifested in its midst. It’s sad how we’ve pursued so many other things that have the appearance of God but lack His power.

Jesus said, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)

To be an overcoming church we need to lift up the name of Jesus Christ and Him alone.