I Will Build My Church

Sermon preached by Matthew DelValle on March 22, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠First Baptist Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is an evangelical church in Delphi, Indiana helping people find and follow Jesus. Our mission is to declare God's truth, disciple God's people, delight in God's Son, and display God's glory. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:30am. Sunday School begins at 9:30am. We gather at 103 S. Indiana Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923.

Learn more about First Baptist Church.

Read our Statement of Faith.

Introduction

Big Idea: Christ builds his church on confessors of the true Christ, guarantees its growth, and secures its victory over death.

1. The Church’s Foundation [Mt. 16:18a]

A. The Play on Words

B. The Proposed Views

1) Roman Catholic: Peter as the Rock

2) Eastern Orthodox: Peter Representing the Apostles as the Rock

3) Classic Protestant: Peter’s Confession as the Rock

4) Christological: Christ as the Rock

5) Confessional/Apostolic: Confessors of the True Christ as the Rock

2. The Church’s Builder [Mt. 16:18b]

A. The Builder of the Church (“I will build my church”)

B. The Owner of the Church (“I will build my church”)

C. The Nature of the Church (“I will build my church”)

D. The Certainty of the Church (“I will build my church”)

3. The Church’s Victory [Mt. 16:18c]

A. The Gates of Hades: Death as the Last Enemy of the Church

B. The Promise of Victory: Death Will Not Overpower the Church

Conclusion