It's All About Jesus

It’s All About Jesus

Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Text Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Let’s set the record straight! The church is not about entertainment, programs, popularity, size or individuals. It should be all about the Son of God.

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name:and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isaiah

48:11 For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Haddon Robinson points out that one old recipe for rabbit stew. ’First catch the rabbit." He knew how to put first things first. That’s what we do when we establish priorities. We put the things that should be in first place in their proper order. Churches today have changed:

When people church shop. What do they often look for?

Activities, events, preaching, & singing.

We are in the era of the designer church. Burger King Religion: Have it your way. What A Burger: Build it your way.

You don’t have to go far to find a church that fits you.

The question is this: Should you be in a church that serves you or a church that you serve?

Many find churches the way they look for clothes or shop for cars.

But, does God really want us to treat His church in such a casual way?

The truth is this! We need to first have a church. The church where Christ is worshipped, adored, & placed first. A church that preaches God’s Word.

There are three criterias that people in a Bible-believing church need to embrace. So that Christ is first.

1.Jesus is the Founder of His Church

A. verse 18 I will build my church; No one else could do what Jesus did

He is the key architect, the designer

He is the foundation 1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Without Him, the entire structure of the church will crumble As the song goes all other is sinking sand.

B.Key factors concerning the spiritual foundation of the church:

1.He will always be steady (nothing can jar him from His place) Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Malachi 3:6a For I am the LORD, I change not; …

2.He will never crumble & disintegrate over time (He will never grow old & weak)

Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress,and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalms 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress;therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

3.He will never have to be replaced (even though some try) "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Whatever church & people stand on Him. They will be in a safe & victorious place Matthew 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

2.Jesus is the Head of His Church

A. verse 18 “ I will build my church”

1.This concerns His authority

He possesses it, it is His to do with as He pleases