The Gates of Hell and the Rock

Matthew 16:13-18

I. What is a gate?

• A. A structure that can be swung, drawn, or lowered to block an entrance or a passageway.
• B. Metaphorically speaking it is the access or entrance into any state.   —The weakest point in the defense of the city was the gate. Massive defensive towers usually guarded either side of the gate. The gate opening itself was 12 to 15 feet wide and had two heavy wooden doors that could be shut and braced with bars. The gate complex had two, four, or six rooms that served as guard rooms. The walls of these inner rooms could support additional wooden doors in time of war. Inside and outside the gate were open squares where much of the business of the city was carried on. The city gate was also the courtroom for the OT city.
• C. It is obvious, even though the gates were the weakest point of defense, they were still formidable.
• D. City elders and leaders gathered at the gates of the city for news, business transactions and judgement.
  1. When Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah for a burying place, this transpired at the gates of the city. Gen. 23:10
  2. When Boaz wanted to perform the duty of the near kinsman for Ruth, he had to go the gates of the city.
  3. When someone fled to a city of refuge, they had to go to the gates of the city and tell the elders and leaders of that city what happened. It was then judged to take that person in or not. Joshua 20:4
• E. As government grew more formalized and larger they formed palaces and courts, it is recorded the kings court was still called the gate.
  1. This was still the place where matters were settled, judgement given, decrees made, and the desires of the ruling king were made known.
• F. In reference to the gates of hell, this is not speaking of a physical place of passage.
  1. It is speaking of the very seat of satanic power and authority.
  2. The gates of hell is the very nucleus of the devils court.

II. Now, let’s talk about the Rock.

• A. At the beginning of our reading, the focus is Jesus.
  1. Jesus asked, “whom do men say, I the Son of man, am?”
• B. Confusion abounded at this point.
  1. Jesus was accused of being John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or at least ONE of the prophets.
• C. To clear up matters, Jesus asked His disciples who THEY thought He was.
  1. Only one man had the courage to proclaim what no one else would.
  YOU ARE THE CHRIST!
• D. When Peter made this statement, he was telling everyone, this one called Jesus is actually the almighty God come in flesh.
• E. The Jews knew messiah was to be God come in the form of a man to save them.
• F. Look at these scriptures: (2 Corinthians 5:19, Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 9:6)
• G. There are many more scriptures that plainly state Jesus is God!
• H. This is a revelation. When others were confused as to who Jesus really was, Peter received this understanding and revelation that this man was the housing of the immortal, infinite, glorious God of heaven.
• I. The next verse can bring confusion if we don’t know what is being said in context with other scripture.   (Matthew 16:18)
  
• J. Here we find a name change. Simon Barjona to Peter.
  1. Peter comes from petros which means a small stone or pebble. It also denotes a stone that is easily moved.
  2. Obviously, Christ could not build His church on Peter.
• K. So what or who is this rock?
  1. Rock comes from the Greek word, petra.
  2. Means rock, cliff or mountain.
  3. Something immovable, unchangeable, undeniably expansive and unavoidable.
• L. Jesus said, upon THIS rock I will build my church.
• M. What rock? Look at the context of what is happening in our reading.
• N. Jesus was asking who do the disciples think He was.
• O. Peter stated He is the Christ. God in a bodily form.
• P. The rock mentioned here is the revelation of who Jesus is.

III. The very nucleus of satans kingdom cannot prevail against the revelation of who Jesus is.

• A. The devils judgements cannot prevail against the people with the revelation.
• B. All contracts we have with the devil signed with our sins no longer have legal holdings on us when we are baptized in the name of Jesus.
• C. The devil cannot hinder your prayers when you pray in Jesus name.
• D. Hell cannot prevail against you when you praise in Jesus name.
• E. Truly the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church founded and established on the revelation of the name of Jesus.