Building the church

What seems to us like defeat can become a great victory | John Piper

Was Christ building His church on Sept. 11? The reason this question rises is the absolute, universal authority behind Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18, "I will build My church." Who said this? The One who spoke and fevers departed (Luke 4:39), trees withered (Mark 11:21), demons obeyed (Mark 1:27), Satan was plundered (Mark 3:27), wind ceased (Mark 4:41), the dead were raised (Luke 7:14; John 11:43), thousands ate from five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:19-21), and water became wine (John 4:46) or a walkway for His feet (Matthew 14:26).

This power over heaven and earth and hell is explicitly related to Christ's missionary commitment to build His church. "I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-19). In other words, Jesus is firmly committed to use His power over heaven and earth and hell to make disciples. No event in the universe that Christ produces or permits is outside His purpose to build His church.