The Rock

Matthew 16:18-19 NKJ
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you
bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in heaven.”
3 Questions the Church Will Have to Answer Going into the
Future:

1. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE PEER PRESSURE?
   2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
   You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very
   difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.
   They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their
   parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will
   be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no
   self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray
   their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure
   rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power
   that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE PERSECUTION?
   2 Timothy 3:12 NLT
   Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will
   suffer persecution.
3. HOW WILL YOU HANDLE DECEPTION?
   2 Timothy 3:13-17 NLT
   But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others
   and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the
   things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know
   you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy
   Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to
   receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All
   Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and
   to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we
   are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare
   and equip his people to do every good work.
   2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
   I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will
   someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his
   Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is
   favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your
   people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no
   longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their
   own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever
   their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase
   after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.
   Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the
   Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

3 Decisions People of the Future Church Will Have to Make:

1. WILL I BELIEVE THE WORD IS THE ONLY TRUTH?
   John 8:31-32 NKJ
   Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My
   word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and
   the truth shall make you free.”
   John 17:14-17 NKJ
   I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because
   they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray
   that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep
   them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of
   the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
2. WILL I STAND ON THE WORD EVEN THOUGH IT’S
   UNPOPULAR?
   Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJ
   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
   might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
   against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and
   blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
   the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
   heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you
   may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
   stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put
   on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with
   the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of
   faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
   wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
   Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and
   supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all
   perseverance and supplication for all the saints…
3. WILL I TRUST IN THE WORD EVEN IF THINGS GET
   DIFFICULT?
   John 15:18-21 NKJ
   “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
   If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because
   you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
   the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A
   servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they
   will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours
   also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake,
   because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
   Joshua 1:7-9 NKJ
   Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do
   according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do
   not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper
   wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your
   mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may
   observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will
   make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
   Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not
   be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you
   wherever you go.”