Matthew 16:13 (NIV) When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
Matthew 16:14 (NIV) They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 16:15 (NIV) “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:16 (NIV) Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:17-20 (NIV) 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. 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. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
THREE FACTS ABOUT JESUS AND THE CHURCH
1. Jesus Builds His Church
If Jesus is going to build His Church, we must understand what the Church really is.
Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV) And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.
THE CHURCH IS A BODY
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
You are a part of the Body of Christ.
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
THE CHURCH IS A FAMILY
Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
You are sisters and brothers in Christ.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
THE CHURCH IS A BUILDING
1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
You are a part of what God is building.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Builds His Church With People
Matthew 16:17 (NIV) 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.
JESUS GIVES PEOPLE Revelation To Build His Church.
Matthew 16:18 (NIV) 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.
JESUS GIVES PEOPLE Responsibility To Build His Church.
JESUS GIVES PEOPLE Authority To Build His Church.
Matthew 16:19 (NIV) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Ephesians 3:10-11 (NIV) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 16:20 (NIV) Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
JESUS GIVES PEOPLE Credibility To Build His Church.
3. Jesus Loves The Church
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (MSG) Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness.
COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NIV) So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NIV) For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (NIV) In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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