The Church Will Stand

Read

Matthew 16:18 “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.”

Think

If you’ve ever watched time-lapse footage of a building under construction, you know how chaotic the process looks at first. Dirt everywhere. Exposed beams. Half-finished walls. For a long time, it seems like nothing is happening—just noise and dust. But eventually, the structure rises. Not by accident. Not overnight. But with careful planning and steady progress.

Jesus says something in Matthew 16:18 that still echoes across centuries: “I will build my church.” Not you will build. Not the church will build itself. I will build. And then, he follows it with a promise: “The gates of Hades will not overcome it,.”

In a world full of shaking foundations—cultural shifts, political divisions, economic instability, personal doubt—this statement is rock-solid. Jesus himself is building his church. And nothing will stop him.

Let’s not rush past what’s happening in the scene. Jesus says these words to Peter shortly after Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah. In response, Jesus essentially says, “Yes—and now that you know who I am, here’s what I’m doing. I’m building something eternal. And I’m using people like you.”

That’s the surprise. Jesus could build his church any way he wants. He could drop it from the sky, create it in a flash, or use only angels and miracles. But he chooses us. People like Peter, who had more passion than precision. People with fears, flaws, and a whole lot of history. He says, “On this rock”—this declaration of faith—I will build.

The Greek word for “church” here is ekklesia, which means “called-out ones.” It’s not about a building or a location. It’s about people. People called out of darkness into light. Called out of isolation into family. Called out of fear into mission.

And the image Jesus uses is one of movement. He’s not building a bunker. He’s building something that moves forward, so much so that even the gates of hell can’t hold it back. That phrase, “the gates of Hades,” would have been understood as the power of death, evil, and spiritual opposition. And Jesus is saying, even those gates won’t win.

Gates are defensive. That means the church isn’t called to hide behind walls. We are moving into enemy territory—not with violence or power, but with love, truth, and grace. The church is not on the defense. It’s on the move.

Still, if we’re honest, it doesn’t always feel like the church is winning. There are scandals. Hypocrisy. Declining attendance. Church hurt. Cultural pushback. It’s tempting to look around and wonder if Jesus really is still building. But that’s where his words matter most. “I will build.” Not “I might.” Not “If the culture cooperates.” Not “As long as things go smoothly.” He never promised ease. He promised endurance.

Sometimes we mistake the noise of construction for the absence of progress. But Jesus is still building—sometimes beneath the surface, sometimes through unexpected means, often through ordinary people doing unseen things with faithful hearts.

Maybe you’ve seen that firsthand. Someone showed up for you. Prayed when you didn’t ask. Opened their home. Carried your burden. Spoke a word of encouragement at just the right moment. That’s the church. Not perfect. But present. Not polished. But powerful.

It’s easy to forget how resilient the church really is. For over two thousand years, it has endured persecution, plagues, political upheaval, and global wars. It has survived both internal failure and external fire. It has crossed oceans and languages and cultures. Why? Because Jesus is still building it.

You are part of that building project. Not a spectator. A participant. Scripture says you are a living stone, being built into a spiritual house. That means your prayers, your sacrifices, your forgiveness, your hospitality—they are part of what Jesus is using to build something that will last forever.

And if you’re tired—if church feels messy or heavy—know that you’re not alone. Building something eternal isn’t easy. But it is worth it. The enemy will try to discourage, distract, divide. But Jesus says the gates of hell will not win.

It’s worth asking: what are you building your life on? Because the church Jesus is building isn’t built on talent, hype, comfort, or cultural approval. It’s built on the confession that Jesus is Lord. That he is enough. That his mercy is greater than our mess. And when that’s your foundation, you can weather any storm.

So today, remember: the church is not an institution to critique. It’s a family to belong to. It’s not a place you go. It’s a people you are. And it’s not a building project for a season. It’s the lifelong, global, unstoppable work of Jesus. And nothing, not even hell itself, can tear it down.

Apply

Take ten minutes to walk through your neighborhood, school, or workplace. As you do, pray for the people around you. Ask Jesus to continue building his church—not just in your city, but through your life. Offer yourself again as part of the structure he is forming.

Pray

Jesus, thank you that you are building your church and nothing can stop you. Remind me that this is your work, not mine. I want to be part of it. Use my life, even the small and unseen pieces, to be a brick in what you are creating. Keep me steady when the process feels slow or messy. I trust that your promise still holds. In Jesus’ name. Amen.