Matthew 16:18-20 Upon this rock His Church would be built

Our desire as Christians is that everyone come to the hope that is in Christ Jesus. In salvation we can come boldly into the throne of grace to obtain the mercy and grace that Jesus gives to all who believe in Him.

Those who have received the gift of  salvation in Jesus Christ and turn back to works are crucifying Christ once again. Salvation is God’s gift to all those who believe.

Faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.

Philippians 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

It is in the process of sanctification that we mature and grow in our faith. We are joint heirs of Christ.

Once we are saved and come into covenant with Jesus knowing that it is the only way to the Father it is finished. All God’s promises are binding. Mankind has no conception what God has prepared for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

As believers we resist this world and all the sin that binds and stand in the refuge of God’s love in Christ Jesus. He will never forsake us. He is our hope and our anchor, steadfast and immovable. In His death Jesus tore the veil that had separated mankind from our holy God. Jesus was the forerunner to all who believe in Him. He is the captain of our salvation. 

James warned against hoarding wealth and exploiting others. In today's passage, we read a strict warning from James for those who were rich with real "gold and silver" (James 5:3). The issue here was how these rich people used their money to exploit others and viewed it selfishly. Money can be a hindrance or a help to us materially, but the idea James conveys goes much deeper than how much someone has in the bank. James asks us all to examine our hearts with the question, How can I use what God has given me to bless others? 

He called them to repentance not because they were rich but because of how they were abusing their wealth.

For Christians, our faith isn't in earthly possessions but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Whether we have a little or a lot financially speaking, God has blessed us with salvation in Christ! In response, it is our responsibility to give generously, help those in need and share the gospel. Any money, talents, gifts and resources we have are all gifts from God. When we see them from that perspective, imagine the freedom we can feel as we give them away. We all have something to give. Maybe it's finances, and maybe it's time, prayer or encouragement. First5

God’s sovereignty doesn’t negate our responsibility. It empowers it. Trust God to do what you can’t. Obey God, and do what you can. Just…keep calm and carry on. Max Lucado

Matthew 16:18-20

18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. The New King James Version

There is a wordplay here, as the name Peter is associated with the word for “rock” in both Greek and Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus and the disciples). Interpretation of Jesus’ meaning hinges on how the wordplay is understood. In Greek, the name petros (“Peter”) derives from the noun petra (meaning “rock”). In Aramaic, the word kepha is used for both “Peter” and “rock.” The most common interpretations propose that Jesus’ remark about “this rock” refers either to Peter himself or to Peter’s confession of faith. Both options reflect Jesus’ choice of Peter for leadership among His followers. 

Jesus seems to be saying that through His power, the Church will overcome the powers of evil and death itself. Since the original Greek text lacks the preposition “against” in the verse, the phrase may be literally rendered “the gates of Hades shall not withstand it.” Given this, the verse indicates that the gates of Hades, the realm of death and evil, will not be able to withstand the advance of the Church. 

Keys of the kingdom of heaven refers either to the authoritative roles given to Peter and the apostles or to the Church as the advocate for God’s ways and spreader of the message of salvation. This seems to be indicating that Peter and the apostles (or the Church in general) function in a gatekeeping role. Through the preaching of the gospel, they are able to help people transfer from death (Hades) to life (the kingdom of heaven. Binding and releasing may refer to what Peter and the church leaders prohibit (bind) or permit (release). This seems to indicate that the Church and its leadership are given authority to carry out God’s will and to oppose the powers of evil. As the next passage indicates, Jesus knows that His messianic role will involve suffering and death, and He apparently recognizes a divine timetable for these events to unfold. Faithlife Study Bible

The words I will build My church indicate that the church had not yet been started. Obviously the disciples did not at this point understand the doctrine of the NT church with its equality of Jew and Gentile. They simply understood it to be the Lord’s followers. 

Jesus may have been saying simply that death would not vanquish the church. One day, by the power of Christ’s resurrection, the church and all the redeemed will be resurrected. Others suggest that the phrase means that the forces of evil will not be able to conquer the people of God. 

You in this passage is singular. The keys of the kingdom may refer to Peter’s opening the kingdom to various groups of people (Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles). The keys would open doors to lost people. However, this term may have further significance. 

The keys seem to be explained by the binding and loosing discussed in the last part of the verse. In rabbinical literature, binding and loosing refers to what was permitted or not permitted. So this passage may refer to judgments that Peter would make about what would be permitted or forbidden in the church, the body of believers. 

Because the public did not understand the concept of the suffering Messiah, they were not to be told that He was Jesus the Christ. Furthermore, the nation had already turned away from Christ. They had crossed the point of no return. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 18:17–18 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Isaiah 22:22 

The key of the house of David

I will lay on his shoulder;

So he shall open, and no one shall shut;

And he shall shut, and no one shall open.

Revelation 3:7 

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,’

These things says He who is holy, He who is true, 

“He who has the key of David, 

He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

Every sin has been paid in full that is "The Good News"

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 

We are  justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus in the death of the Cross.  By which we are saved. 

Every sin has been paid in full.

Justified freely. God sent forth Jesus in propitiation for the sins of the world. To declare His righteousness, power and glory. He has overcome the world.  He has placed us in the care of Holy Spirit who helps us to share this Good News with others. It is the gift that we do not deserve and is totally unmerited.

Faith in the salvation of the Cross saves us. It is nothing to do with our works. By His grace  we are saved through faith and that not of  ourselves it is the gift of God. Our salvation is not of works lest any one boast. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has ordained us to walk in.

Remember that in the past we were gentiles in the flesh at that time when God was dealing with Israel. We were without Christ and aliens of Israel and strangers to the covenant. But now in Christ we are made close by the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 6:10 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

James 4:17 (ESV) "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." If we know the good we ought to do and do not do it, it is sin.

He reminded them of their dependence on the Lord and then confronted them on their attitude: "As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil" (James 4:16).

The original Greek word translated as "arrogance" in James 4:16 implied someone who wandered about making false claims about their accomplishments, like what we might call a "poser" today. Many theologians describe this type of person as an imposter who hopes to appear superior to others by speaking loudly about exploits they know they can never realistically achieve. 

James called boasting evil because, by nature, it declares God irrelevant. Disregarding the fact that He has gifted us with our skills and abilities in the first place, focusing too much on our own agendas leads us to dethrone God in our hearts and take the credit He deserves for our successes. Such an attitude and the actions that result from it reek of pride. In fact, James' rebuke sounds a lot like the Apostle Paul's words to believers living in Corinth, who also struggled with pride: "What do you have that you did not receive [from God]? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7b-c).

Because of who He is, God deserves absolute authority in our lives (Philippians 2:10-11); however, we often fall into pride as we fail to acknowledge our need for His presence, strength, wisdom and guidance. In reality, we wouldn't even exist apart from Him (Acts 17:28), so what makes us think we can navigate life well apart from Him?

Let's acknowledge our dependence upon Him, trust Him to guide us, and invite Him to rule over every detail of our lives. First5

The church of my childhood told me that grace was something I needed to earn. And I was told often, that I didn’t deserve grace, or that I did things which kept grace away from me. I do know this; such scripts can imprint you, and stay with you for a very long time. Gratefully, I now know that they are not true.

Grace calls something—invites something beautiful—from each one of us, and grace never leaves until the invitation is heard and embraced. It may shake up our life, there's no doubt about that. We're not used to being unconditionally loved. Sabbath Moments 

If your peace is contingent upon circumstances, you open the door to anxiety and fear. Peace 101 says that God is greater than your challenges, and you can choose to catch calm rather than worry. Your peace does not depend upon people, which is good because they are fickle. Your peace does not depend upon the government, which is good because rulers come and go. Your peace does not even depend upon a peaceful home, which is good because kids misbehave. Peace—long-lasting peace—depends only upon God.

With Jesus Christ living within you by the power of his Holy Spirit, you can take control of your thoughts before they take control of you. Remember, “the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT). Relax. Anxiety is needless when God is near. Max Lucado

Below is a list of some of the character traits of God found in the Bible:  Spiritual Caregiver

• God is love – 1 John 4:8

• God is not slow to fulfill His promise – 2 Peter 3:9

• God is light; there is no darkness in Him – 1 John 1:5

• God is immortal – Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17

• God does not lie – Numbers 23:19

• God is Spirit – John 4:24

• God is faithful – 1 Corinthians 10:13

• God is holy – Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15

• God is merciful and gracious – Exodus 34:6–7

Micah 3:9–11 God requires justice and fairness for all

We had a family dinner for Mother’s Day and after I spent the night with my 19 year old granddaughter in her campus apartment at OSU. The next day was a “Moms and Grandmothers Muffin Breakfast” at my youngest grandson’s (her brother’s)  elementary school and it was loverly! I so treasure the family that God gave me!!! Can I say though that at 73 it is always good to be home :)

Jeremiah 22:13 

“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness

And his chambers by injustice,

Who uses his neighbor’s service without wages

And gives him nothing for his work,

God requires us to love and care for all of His creation. 

Not only our families but all families as well. Jesus spoke of the two rules that are outward proof of  our love for God. We love Him above all and we love our neighbors as much as we do ourselves. In caring for others we fulfill all of His commands. Micah 6:8

When we come to the place in our lives where we desire what He wants more than what we want, there is great peace. It is here that God can use our ordinary lives in extraordinary ways to bring glory to His name and His Kingdom forever. First5

Grace calls something—invites something beautiful—from each one of us, and grace never leaves until the invitation is heard and embraced. It may shake up our life, there's no doubt about that. We're not used to being unconditionally loved.

I don't know where you see Grace in your life. I do know we don't cut ourselves enough slack, and I do know that when Grace appears, it's best if we don't analyze it, but just... pause, and let it seep into the core of our being. Sabbath Moments 

To relax is to disengage and let go. An hour or day long Sabbath is not the time to catch up with your work. It is a time to entrust your work to God. After all, he worked for six days and then rested, and the world didn’t fall apart. It won’t for you either. Max Lucado

Micah 3:9–11

9 Now hear this, You heads of the house of Jacob 

And rulers of the house of Israel, 

Who abhor justice 

And pervert all equity, 

10 Who build up Zion with bloodshed 

And Jerusalem with iniquity: 

11 Her heads judge for a bribe, 

Her priests teach for pay, 

And her prophets divine for money. 

Yet they lean on the Lord, and say, “Is not the Lord among us? 

No harm can come upon us.

”The New King James Version

Micah is filled with mighty justice while the leaders of Israel abhor justice. The wicked leaders pervert the way of righteousness. Making judgments based on money is the opposite of true justice. Faithlife Study Bible 

The wicked leaders and prophets of Israel “worked” only when they could gain something from it. Needless to say, if justice had to be paid for, it would not be justice.Many people of Jerusalem believed that they would not be affected by God’s judgment because God Himself dwelled in the holy temple in Jerusalem. They reasoned that despite their evils, as long as God was in His temple, they were safe—even from divine judgment. 

What the people refused to believe was that God might leave His temple because of the sinfulness of the people. The Book of Ezekiel describes a vision of the glory of God leaving the temple as a prelude to His judgment on the city. The NKJV Study Bible

Zion’s walls owe no thanks to those that build them up with blood and iniquity. The sin of man works not the righteousness of God. Even when men do that which in itself is good, but do it for filthy lucre, it becomes abomination both to God and man. Faith rests in the Lord as the soul’s foundation: presumption only leans upon the Lord as a prop, and would use him to serve a turn. If men’s having the Lord among them will not keep them from doing evil, it never can secure them from suffering evil for so doing. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 1:23 

Your princes are rebellious,

And companions of thieves;

Everyone loves bribes,

And follows after rewards.

They do not defend the fatherless,

Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Jeremiah 6:13 |

“Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them,

Everyone is given to covetousness;

And from the prophet even to the priest,

Everyone deals falsely.

Habakkuk 2:12 

“Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed,

Who establishes a city by iniquity!