We Belong To Christ (Matthew 16:13-20)
Have you ever had a conversation where you and the other person was talking about the same thing but meant completely different things? It happens all the time. A word or phrase carries different meanings depending on who you ask. For example, imagine a parent and child talking about "fun." A child might think of running wild at a trampoline park, eating way too much sugar, and staying up past their bedtime. A parent, on the other hand, might picture sitting in a quiet room, drinking coffee while no one asks them a single question. Same word, but entirely different interpretations. Or take "weekend"—kids might dream of non-stop excitement, while parents just want five minutes of uninterrupted silence. The same words can mean completely different things depending on who's experiencing them.
“Church” is one of those words. If you ask ten different people what the church is, you might get ten different answers. Some see it as a building, others as an event, and still others as a denomination or religious institution. Some talk about church as though it is theirs and needs to mold or form to their liking. But what did Jesus mean when He first used the word? What was He establishing?
So today, let’s step back and take a fresh look. What is the church really? And what does it mean for us to belong to it?
I. Jesus Describes The Church
Matthew 16:13–18 (ESV) — 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus begins with a question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (v. 13). The disciples list off the popular opinions—John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. In other words, people had plenty of ideas about Jesus, but they were missing the truth.
Then Jesus makes it personal: “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 15). Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the confession that sets everything in motion. Jesus affirms Peter’s statement and says, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Now, let’s pause here. The word Jesus uses for "church" is ekklesia, a term that in Greek simply means "assembly" or "gathering." It was commonly used to refer to a civic gathering of citizens. Unfortunately, many misunderstand ekklesia as referring to a physical building or a religious institution, but that is not what Jesus was describing. Jesus isn't a contractor. He was speaking about a community of people who belong to Him, not a structure. Nor is he referring to any denomination.
Some also fall into the etymological fallacy, thinking that because some mistakenly believe that ekklesia comes from words meaning "called out," it must mean the "called-out ones." While believers are indeed called out of the world, the word ekklesia itself simply means an assembly. This distinction matters because it shapes how we understand our role as the church—not as spectators or members of a club removed from the action, but as an active group belonging to Christ.
Notice that Jesus says His church. He doesn’t say, “I will build your church.” He doesn’t tell Peter to name it after himself. He doesn’t hand it over to a denomination or an institution. Jesus builds and owns the church. Jesus does commend Peter’s confession and gives him a unique role. He blesses Peter, saying that his confession was revealed by God, not by human reasoning. He also entrusts Peter with the "keys to the kingdom of heaven," meaning that Peter would play a key role in opening the doors of salvation through the gospel.
This is not the establishment of a papal office, but rather the acknowledgment that Peter, along with the other apostles, would proclaim the message that grants access to the kingdom—beginning at Pentecost in Acts 2. We see in passages like 1 Corinthians 3:11 that Christ alone is the foundation: "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:20 affirms this by saying the church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." Peter plays a key role, but the church is ultimately founded on Christ. Peter is given the keys to open the kingdom through the gospel, not to serve as its ultimate authority. He is a steward, not the master. He is a pillar among the apostles, as described in Galatians 2:9, but he is not set apart as a singular head of the church. The head and authority rests in Christ, and the apostles collectively serve under Him.
The moment Jesus says, “I will build my church,” He also gives a promise—“the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” What does that mean? It means the church is not fragile. It is not something we control. It is Christ’s assembly, built on the unshakable truth of who He is.
This is why we need to rethink what we mean when we say “church.” If the church is people, not a place, then how should we think about it? How should we approach it? Are we engaging with it correctly? If Jesus is the foundation, then no human brand or structure can replace Him. I want us to think about how deeply engrained these thoughts have become.
➡ Logical Connection: If the church is founded on Christ, then it belongs to Him, not to us. That leads us to our next point…
II. We Need to Rethink Church
A. What Does It Mean to Belong to the Church?
Matthew 16:19 (ESV) — 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Acts 2:42–47 (ESV) — 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Today, people often treat church as something they consume rather than something they are part of. Someone might come into a gathering and ask, “Does this church meet my needs?” They sit in the back row, listen, and hope to be entertained. Then, they leave feeling empty and let down because the entertainment was better at home. Or perhaps worse, we define church by our traditions and affiliations rather than our faith in Christ. We become loyalists to a name, saying, “My church is better than yours.” This kind of thinking turns the church into a competition rather than a community. It reduces faith to brand loyalty rather than devotion to Christ.
When Jesus spoke of His ekklesia, He was speaking of an assembly united by faith, not a divided set of institutions each claiming superiority. The problem arises when we identify more with a specific church name or tradition than with Christ Himself. The early Christians weren’t concerned about labels—they were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and prayer (Acts 2:42). If we make church about anything other than people belonging to Jesus, we have missed the point.
But look at how the early church lived in Acts 2:42-47. They weren’t just attending church—they were being the church. They weren’t consumers, they were participants. They loved one another and were devoted to each other as they were devoted to Christ. They didn't just "do church stuff."
➡ Logical Connection: If we belong to Christ, we need to rethink how we live that out. That leads us to the next step…
B. How Should We Live as the Church
Matthew 16:20 (ESV) — 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Many people choose to live a certain way as a result of this misunderstanding about the church. Let me show you what I mean. Here are some ways people think about how they interact with the church.
"The church is a Sunday event." How many of us have lived this way? Many people compartmentalize their faith.We act one way on Sunday and another way during the week. But Ephesians 4:11-16 tells us that every believer has a role in the body. The church is healthiest when everyone engages, serves, and grows together. Church is not a weekly event. It is an everyday identity. We must find a way to let that sink into our minds.
Another mistaken thought is, "It’s the job of leaders, not me." Many people are outsourcing faith. Many believers mistakenly assume that church leaders—preachers, elders, deacons—are solely responsible for carrying out the work of the church. This mindset leads to passivity, where faith becomes something people observe rather than actively engage in. However, scripture paints a different picture. Ephesians 4:11-12 makes it clear that leaders exist "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." The responsibility of discipleship, service, and evangelism belongs to every believer, not just a select few. When we outsource faith, we rob ourselves of the joy and growth that come from participating in God’s mission. Church is not a spectator event; it’s a collective movement of God’s people living out His will daily.
Third, we see that some think, "It’s about feeling inspired, not being transformed." Many people approach church as a place to get a spiritual boost—something that makes them feel good for the week ahead. They want an uplifting sermon, powerful music, and an experience that energizes them. But transformation is different. Transformation requires commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to change. Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." If church is only about feeling inspired but not about genuine life change, then we are missing the point. True discipleship means allowing God to shape us beyond a Sunday morning experience—it’s about becoming more like Christ every day.
What would change in your life if you saw church as an everyday identity, not just a Sunday event?
➡Logical Connection: If we start living as Christ’s people daily, what does that actually look like?
C. What This Looks Like in Real Life
If the church is not a place, but a people, how do we live that out? Too often, we think about church in terms of location rather than relationships. We ask, “Where do I go to church?” as if the building is the most important part of our faith. But instead, we should be asking, “Who am I growing with in Christ?” The church is not about a physical space but about the people we are connected to in faith. The relationships we form with fellow believers shape our spiritual growth and encourage us in our walk with Christ.
Similarly, many approach church as a consumer, asking, “What do I get from church?” We fight against that by asking, “How can I encourage others?” The purpose of the church is not just to meet our personal needs but to equip us to build up others in love and good works. When we shift our mindset, we stop being passive participants and start actively engaging in the body of Christ, serving and growing together. Before we close, I want to provide you with a list of things we can do to play an important role in building up this body.
Be present in people’s lives (Hebrews 10:24-25). The church is a community, not a collection of individuals who happen to sit in the same room on Sundays. Being present in people’s lives means showing up when it matters—checking in on a struggling friend, offering a helping hand when someone is in need, and making time for genuine fellowship beyond formal gatherings. It’s about investing in relationships, sharing burdens, and celebrating joys together as a spiritual family.
Make time for spiritual conversations (Colossians 3:16). It’s easy to talk about work, sports, or the latest news, but how often do we engage in conversations that build up our faith? Making time for spiritual conversations means deliberately bringing Christ into our discussions. It could be as simple as asking a friend how their faith is growing, discussing a passage of scripture over coffee, or praying together over concerns. These conversations strengthen our faith and encourage others to keep Christ at the center of their lives.
Prioritize prayer and scripture outside of Sundays (Acts 2:42). A healthy spiritual life isn’t confined to what happens within the church walls once a week. The early church was devoted to prayer and the apostles’ teaching daily, not just when they gathered together. Prioritizing prayer and scripture means making time for God in your everyday routine—reading scripture in the morning, praying throughout the day, and meditating on God’s Word so that it transforms your thinking and actions. A church that is rooted in scripture and prayer is a church that remains strong.
Serve in small ways—it’s not about big programs, but daily love in action. Sometimes we think service has to be a grand gesture, but the reality is that small, consistent acts of love make the greatest impact. Holding the door open, writing a note of encouragement, making a meal for someone, or simply listening to someone who needs to talk—these acts of love demonstrate Christ’s presence in everyday life. The church thrives when its people live out their faith in tangible ways, showing the love of Christ not just in word, but in action.
Conclusion
Throughout this message, we have challenged ourselves to rethink what it truly means to be the church. We have seen that church is not a building, an event, or a brand, but a people united in Christ. Jesus established His ekklesia on the foundation of faith in Him, calling His followers to live as an active, engaged body that represents Him in the world.
If we are to be faithful to His vision, we must move beyond the superficial and unify on what church really means. The church is not about our personal preferences, traditions, or affiliations—it is about belonging to Christ and to one another. It is about living out our faith daily, investing in each other’s lives, and being the light of Christ in a dark world.
So let’s commit to being the church Jesus intended. Let’s move past division, consumerism, and passivity, and instead embrace a life of devotion, service, and love. The world is watching. What will they see when they look at us? Will they see an institution or a living, breathing body of believers who reflect the heart of Christ? The answer depends on whether we choose to simply attend church or to truly be the church.