Check out all the previous Unstoppable readings here.
Unstoppable Reading Plan | Week 5 | Day 1
Prayer
Allow some silence for your soul to catch up with your body. As you come to spend time with Jesus, consider what you are fearful of and ask God to meet you in those fears today.
Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-18
Read these verses three times slowly.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Reflection & Questions
In our final week of the Unstoppable Series we are looking at “Unstoppable Church.” As we read today in our verses, Jesus said that, “ …I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18. There is nothing that can stop the family of believers across the world from growing.
When Jesus said that 2,000 years ago, the disciples could not have imagined that their fledgling faith and few followers would turn into billions of people and a world-wide church that has not only survived but thrived in the midst of persecution, accusation, weakness and even corruption. Sure local churches have folded (we’ll read about some of those this week) and certain regions of the world have experienced revival while others fade. But the body of believers in the world continues to grow from strength to strength. While human organizations, kingdoms and civilizations have come and gone over the last 2,000 years, Jesus’ church remains and continues to grow.
Why is that? Because Jesus is who He said he is. As he asked the disciples in today’s verses, “Who do you say I am?” Peter is quick to answer: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” It is because of that truth – that Jesus is God’s King (Messiah), He is the Son of the living God – that the Church is unstoppable. Jesus is who He said He is. There is no other organization, civilization or kingdom that will last – because none of them have the everlasting, unstoppable Jesus.
- What organizations, kingdoms or civilizations do you know that have folded? Why did they fold?
- How does the growth and thriving of Jesus’ Church encourage you today?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
