Matthew 16:19
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Many people will often misinterpret Matthew 16:18-19. There are some who think that Peter is the foundation of the church, which is absolutely false. Jesus is talking about Himself when He says, “…and upon this rock I will build my church…” Jesus is the Rock upon which the church is to be built. Ephesians 2:20 makes this clear when it says, “…Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” Peter didn't die for the church, but it was Jesus Christ who paid for the church with His blood. Acts 20:28 makes this clear when it says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” To think that the church is founded upon anyone else other than Jesus Christ is simply preposterous.
It is very clear from the verses above that Christ dearly loves the church. When reading the verse above, you see that God gives the church great power. There are four areas where the church has been given power.
First, God gives the church power to settle differences. When two people have differences, God wants them to come to the church to get them settled. When the church makes a decision, it becomes final in Heaven. Matthew 18:18 says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Christian, you will find more of your differences will be settled with others if you will faithfully attend church and allow the church to be the judge that settles differences you have with others.
Second, God gives the church power to win victory. Jesus says concerning the church in Matthew 16:18, “…the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” God promises the church that no matter what attack Satan sends against it, the church will always prevail. You will experience more spiritual victory if you are faithful to church.
Third, God gives the church power to forgive in John 20:23. The key to this forgiveness is to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Every church must be careful not to become so judgmental that the sinner doesn't feel welcome to come and find forgiveness. Every church needs to be the hospital where the sinner can come to find forgiveness and restoration. God’s desire for the church is that it becomes the place where the sinner knows they can go to when they have made a mess of their life.
Fourth, God gives the church power to get prayers answered in Matthew 18:19. I believe one of the things that have limited the influence of the church in this present day is that many have stopped coming to the church to pray. If just two people come to the church bonded with the same prayer request, God promises to be there to hear their prayer and answer it. Don't every underestimate the power of church prayer!
The church should be an important part of your life. Let me encourage you not to just let church be a short three-hour period that you attend, but let it become your life. You will find more victories in the Christian life if you place the same importance on the church as did Christ.