Our House: A 5-Day Prayer for the Local Church

5 Days

On This Rock

Day 2

Stay on track with Passion Equip

Create a profile or sign in to track your progress and access your bookmarked content.

Create a Profile

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18

If someone asked you, “Who do you say Jesus is?” what would your answer be? For the apostle Peter the answer was clear: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Peter’s confession is the first from any of the apostles in the gospels. Jesus then told His disciples that the church, the whole body of His believers, would be built upon the apostles with Him as its cornerstone. In these few lines, Jesus illustrates His lesson by using Peter’s name as a clever play on words . In Greek, Peter’s name is

Petros

, which means “rock” or “stone” in a building. But Jesus uses another word in Greek—

petra

—which means “bedrock.” And this time, He was using the word

petra

to refer to Himself as the structural foundation of the building. So although Peter and the apostles would have key roles in building the early church, Jesus Himself would be the foundation. And when the Son of God is the solid ground of the church, nothing can overcome it. Christ is still building His church today, and He’s inviting us to use the gifts God has given us to be a part of His work. Will you join the apostles and become a rock in your church?

Lord, give me a passion for investing my love and service into my church.

Scripture References

24.And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25.not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

18.And I tell you that you are Peter,16:18 The Greek word for Peter means rock. and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades16:18 That is, the realm of the dead will not overcome it.

7. “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.8. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

22.Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23.Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

21.Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

About the Contributor

We love books and our mission at Passion Publishing is to lift and amplify life-shifting messages globally from the Passion movement. Above all else Passion is about glorifying God by inviting people to live for what matters most, the name and renown of Jesus. View more from the Contributor.