Salem Church
Unstoppable Kingdom
Eternally: Multiplying Churches
Locations & Times
Clove Lakes Campus
634 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
December 1st, 2024
Lead Pastors
Unstoppable Kingdom
Eternally: Multiplying Churches
Matthew 16:13-18
“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ 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. 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.’” Matthew 16:13-18
Prop: 2 essential truths for a multiplying church from Matthew 16:13-18
I. The Gospel is foundational for establishing the Kingdom
“‘He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ 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.’” Matthew 16:15-17
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”Acts 2:36
“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:28-39
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:11-12
The gospel of Jesus is the foundation of the kingdom of God:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand...”1 Corinthians 15:1
The world will know the kingdom of God through the gospel message we share!
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
Prop: 2 essential truths for a multiplying church from Matthew 16:13-18
II. The Church is plan A for advancing the Kingdom
“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. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…” Matthew 16:17-18a
“And I tell you, you are Petros, and on this Petra, I will build my church…”
Peter (the little rock) recognizes that Jesus is Lord and, with that declaration and faith, God would use him and launch him out to be part of the incredible mission of advancing God’s Kingdom.
The church is God’s plan A for advancing His Kingdom.
We are called out to stand out and proclaim His goodness!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“...we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”1 Thessalonians 2:12
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”1 Peter 2:9
Last week, we talked about the work God does as we obey Him and make disciples. He has called you to multiply yourselves:
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”2 Timothy 2:1-2
When we make disciples diligently, we will multiply churches naturally.
Notice - the math changes in the book of Acts:
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”Acts 2:41
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”Acts 2:47b
“And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…”Acts 5:14
But then…
“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”Acts 6:7
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:31
“But the word of God increased and multiplied.”Acts 12:24
It’s multiplication!
See, the health of a church is not about our programs or attendance numbers, as J.D. Greear explains in his book Gaining by Losing.
“Jesus’ measure of the church is not seating capacity, but sending capacity.”J. D. Greear
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Acts 1:8
What are we waiting for?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”Matthew 24:14
The church is plan A for advancing the Kingdom!
Challenge:
What do we do?
• Pray - Ask God to make you bold. Ask Him to make us a people that are ready to be used by Him as He builds His Kingdom.
• Speak - Tell someone what Jesus has done for you. Start simply. Start at home. Just Start!
• Give - Give generously to the Lord through the local church and partner with work here among your own church family, in our community on Staten Island and around the world through our missions partners. (This is an investment you can see with your own eyes.)
• Go - Let’s go with the gospel together, both locally and across the globe!
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
Conclusion
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18b
Jesus wins! Nothing can stop Him!
Revelation 5:9-10 says…
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation
and you have made them a kingdom’...”
Thank you, God, for inviting us into your Unstoppable Kingdom for all eternity!
Invitation: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” God loves you so much and wants you to be with Him. He wants you to know Him, and He gave His Son to make that possible. Place your faith in Him today.
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
ESV Study Bible – Crossway (2008)
New American Commentary - Acts – John Polhill (1992)
Acts: The Church Afire - R.K. Hughes (1996)
The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the Church, & the World - John Stott (1994)
Acts - K.O. Gangel (1998)
The Acts of the Apostles - William Barclay (1976)
Acts: Bible Study Commentary - F.F. Bruce (2017)
Acts for Everyone Pt 2 - Chapters 13-28 - N.T. Wright (2008)
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary - John MacArthur (1996)
Lead Pastors
Unstoppable Kingdom
Eternally: Multiplying Churches
Matthew 16:13-18
“And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ 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. 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.’” Matthew 16:13-18
Prop: 2 essential truths for a multiplying church from Matthew 16:13-18
I. The Gospel is foundational for establishing the Kingdom
“‘He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ 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.’” Matthew 16:15-17
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”Acts 2:36
“Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:28-39
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:11-12
The gospel of Jesus is the foundation of the kingdom of God:
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand...”1 Corinthians 15:1
The world will know the kingdom of God through the gospel message we share!
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
Prop: 2 essential truths for a multiplying church from Matthew 16:13-18
II. The Church is plan A for advancing the Kingdom
“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. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…” Matthew 16:17-18a
“And I tell you, you are Petros, and on this Petra, I will build my church…”
Peter (the little rock) recognizes that Jesus is Lord and, with that declaration and faith, God would use him and launch him out to be part of the incredible mission of advancing God’s Kingdom.
The church is God’s plan A for advancing His Kingdom.
We are called out to stand out and proclaim His goodness!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“...we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”1 Thessalonians 2:12
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”1 Peter 2:9
Last week, we talked about the work God does as we obey Him and make disciples. He has called you to multiply yourselves:
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”2 Timothy 2:1-2
When we make disciples diligently, we will multiply churches naturally.
Notice - the math changes in the book of Acts:
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”Acts 2:41
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”Acts 2:47b
“And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women…”Acts 5:14
But then…
“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”Acts 6:7
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:31
“But the word of God increased and multiplied.”Acts 12:24
It’s multiplication!
See, the health of a church is not about our programs or attendance numbers, as J.D. Greear explains in his book Gaining by Losing.
“Jesus’ measure of the church is not seating capacity, but sending capacity.”J. D. Greear
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Acts 1:8
What are we waiting for?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”Matthew 24:14
The church is plan A for advancing the Kingdom!
Challenge:
What do we do?
• Pray - Ask God to make you bold. Ask Him to make us a people that are ready to be used by Him as He builds His Kingdom.
• Speak - Tell someone what Jesus has done for you. Start simply. Start at home. Just Start!
• Give - Give generously to the Lord through the local church and partner with work here among your own church family, in our community on Staten Island and around the world through our missions partners. (This is an investment you can see with your own eyes.)
• Go - Let’s go with the gospel together, both locally and across the globe!
Main Idea: The mission of God’s Unstoppable Kingdom continues today as we Make Disciples and Multiply Churches
Conclusion
“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18b
Jesus wins! Nothing can stop Him!
Revelation 5:9-10 says…
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation
and you have made them a kingdom’...”
Thank you, God, for inviting us into your Unstoppable Kingdom for all eternity!
Invitation: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” God loves you so much and wants you to be with Him. He wants you to know Him, and He gave His Son to make that possible. Place your faith in Him today.
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities
The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
ESV Study Bible – Crossway (2008)
New American Commentary - Acts – John Polhill (1992)
Acts: The Church Afire - R.K. Hughes (1996)
The Message of Acts: The Spirit, the Church, & the World - John Stott (1994)
Acts - K.O. Gangel (1998)
The Acts of the Apostles - William Barclay (1976)
Acts: Bible Study Commentary - F.F. Bruce (2017)
Acts for Everyone Pt 2 - Chapters 13-28 - N.T. Wright (2008)
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary - John MacArthur (1996)
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