"ON THIS ROCK..." Matthew 16:18 I. Introduction. A. Did you ever try to stand on a rock? 1. Some are too small; some are too pointed; some are too round, etc. 2. A rock to stand upon must be large enough to support you and secure enough to hold you. 3. It is not enough to stand on a rock, or build on a rock, it must be the right rock. B. Jesus told his apostles about a rock and about a building: Matthew 16:18. 1. Rock: "A firm support, basis, refuge, etc." 2. So used in this passage: The foundation of the church was a rock(the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. 3. We sing of the "sure" foundation; the rock of ages; upon this rock, etc. C. It is this truth(fact) that gives meaning to being a Christian. 1. Take away this truth: there is no such thing as a Christian. 2. Leave this rock and abandon all hope. II. Body. A. "Upon this rock..." may not have been fully under- stood by Peter--but it would later as he preached. 1. Every time we read this passage(or similar), we are reminded. 2. On each first day, we call it to mind. 3. With every song, every prayer in His name, every deed for His cause, we trust in it! 4. To build or to rely upon any other foundation means only spiritual disaster. B. "...I will build my church" was the intent Jesus expressed. 1. Did he or didn't he? 2. If he didn't, he is the world's greatest fraud. 3. If he didn't, you who are here this morning are wasting your time--your energy--your efforts. 4. On Pentecost, it was preached that Jesus did build His church! a. It was to this church souls were added: Acts 2:47.(Only by obedience) b. It was their faithfulness that would keep them in Christ's kingdom(church): Acts 2:42. 5. He built it by His standards, His blood, His power, and if she stands today, it is by his grace! a. All the powers of Satan cannot defeat: "...the gates of Hades" cannot stop. b. She can only stand by being true to Him who built her. C. It was "...my church" Jesus built--only one. 1. The many churches that exist today are products of men: this is a divine product. 2. Only Christ's church has a divine right to exist upon a divine foundation. 3. Denominations have a legal right to exist--but not a divine right. a. They are not built upon the rock! b. The mass of confusion and division that is apparent among the thousands of religious groups cannot be a product of the one God: Ephesians 4:4-6. D. For a congregation to remain on the rock, she must stand firm on Jesus Christ and His will. 1. Here a little, there a little will bring the church of Christ to the edge. a. Unless correction is made, she falls off the rock, into spiritual disaster. b. Some slip off; some slide off; some crash off--but the result is the same. 2. Denominations were never on the rock and some churches of Christ have abandoned the rock. 3. A group may have the crowd--a massive cathedral --a bulging social program--but if they are not built on the rock, they have no hope in Jesus Christ. E. For an individual to remain on the rock, he must take his stand with Christians. 1. Christians make up the congregations that stand on the rock. 2. One ceases to be a part of those standing on the rock when they are not faithful--as do churches that forsake the Lord's way. a. Even to be in fellowship with a local church, one must meet the standards of Jesus Christ. b. Assemble(Hebrews 10:25); sing together (Ephesians 5:19); pray, give, study; participate in the work. c. Slipping off the rock(no longer being faithful)--one ceases to be in fellowship(a part of) the local church. III. Conclusion. A. Jesus did build His church upon the rock; you can be part of that church; you can remain on the rock.