The Keys to the Kingdom-Based on Matthew 16:13-20

I have to tell you that this week, I was a little disturbed by the fact that Maplewood Christian Church had closed its doors and moved to another location. The main reason for this happening is the dwindling population of the congregation. A congregation, similar to Dover in that it is a pillar of the community and anchor through change, but not long enough to stay a vital force in the community. This is by no means a put down of Maplewood Christian, but it is the simple reality for many churches in the United States and even churches here in St. Louis. Churches that were once built on bedrock foundations are now crumbling down to the final stones.

This scripture is an interesting insight into the relationship between Peter and Jesus. A relationship that is tried and tested , but remains firm in its resolve to minister to others. Paul may have been the greatest evangelist of the New Testament, but it was Peter who built the church upon bedrock in its earliest stages. It was Peter who set the standard and example for the way churches were to be run. It was Peter who had the trust and faith of Christ to be the leader of the movement here on earth, while Christ reigned in heaven. Peter is the foundation for the Christian Church, inasmuch as he is also the gatekeeper of heaven. Peter is the right hand man of Jesus, some might even refer to him as the “muscle” of the operation. He is the one charged to guide the disciples while Jesus was absent. What a tremendous task to behold!

Here is where the scripture and Peter become awesome for this church and our solid foundation. This scripture isn’t so much for the glorification of Peter, as much as it is a call for us to heed. The first thing we need to understand about this scripture is that Peter isn’t our rock, he is the one that established the church in bedrock. He was the one who went all the way down into the ground and made sure the church was able to survive for thousands of years. Sometimes that takes organization, leadership, and a massive amount of faith. Peter exhibited these characteristics. The second thing we need to understand about this scripture is that just like Peter is a “rock” to Christ, we need to view those who came before us, the saints, as stones who built and improved the living church we are in.

I have told you stories of the saints who came before all of us in this church and helped establish Dover Place as a church with a firm foundation. We were absolutely blessed to have saints with knowledge of financial affairs, civic functions, and political action to a certain extent. Dover Place is self-sufficient, but we draw upon our reserves that were built up over the years in order to maintain what we currently have. Should there be a moment where the stock market goes south and we have bad planning, then Dover Place may have a hard time existing as we know it. That is certainly picture none of us even want to picture.

To go along with this point, the third thing we need to take away from this scripture is the importance of the house of worship. Church in its purest form does not take place in a building or in a sanctuary. Church happens throughout the other days you are living and breathing away from the house of worship. Church is to built upon a solid rock of knowledge and practice. We are to take the scriptures and the messages given to us and put them into practice. Sometimes that is not the easiest thing to do, but the road less traveled is not an easy one either. Church is wide open for interpretation and description, but no church survives without a solid foundation of teaching, preaching, and practice. Faith that is spoken from the lips and confessed from the heart is a foundation that cannot be destroyed.

Finally, we need to look at who the door-keeper for the church is, and it is Peter. No evil will ever infiltrate the house of the Lord, as Peter stands guard as the gatekeeper. As hard as it is to believe, the gates of heaven are open to everyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. For many folks, that confession isn’t made until death approaches their final moments of life. Christ didn’t die for those of us who have known Christ for a long time, but for everyone who confesses to know Christ. We cannot, nor should we judge the salvation of anyone on this earth. As much as I hoped that a person like Adolph Hitler went to hell, I cannot be so sure of his judgment, because I am not the one finalizing the decision. By casting stones at others, we are weakening our foundation.

Friends, there are no easy answers to maintain Dover Place Christian Church and help it grow and prosper for another 110 years. We can only be the foundation for the church and continue to build upon that foundation, instead of crumbling down to a shell of our former selves. As much as I believe that we will survive for my grandchildren to see Dover in 100 years is yet to be seen, but my grandfather must have said the same thing 75 years ago as he started attending Dover Place Christian at the age of 27. Dover was once an isolated little church in the wilderness of undeveloped St. Louis City. Now we are an isolated little church in this metropolis with a pulse still kicking like that of a young man. It seems hard to believe how the times have changed and the people have come and gone, but the message is still fundamentally the same.

Christ came here to build his church upon a firm foundation where believers would know eternal life and peace here on earth. Christ came with the message of love and peace, a message that is sometimes lost in the shuffle of board meetings, general assemblies, and even in worship services. The foundation has been laid before us, whether or not we contribute to the architecture is upon our hearts. However, I encourage each one of you to look deep into your heart and find what you are able to contribute to keep this church upon a firm foundation. Go out into the world and minister to those lost souls dying to know Christ. Give them peace, but also build up their spirit and lead them to build upon solid ground, because nothing can tear down the church, as long as Christ is in our hearts.