Jesus Built Church

Intro: if Jesus came and built the local church, what would it look like? Would He build it like we would build it, or would He have a different plan? I believe He has a plan for the local church, and in this series I would like to look at His plan for the local church.

Our title for this series will be:

A Jesus Built Church

Key Verse Matthew 16:18—I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Jesus is building a church, not a physical building but a spiritual life.

Lesson One: A Caring, Sharing Society of Believers

Romans 10:13-15 In these verses we see the heart of the church, it cares, it shares, it gives. Here is the first key to becoming a Jesus Built Church

v.13-whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The opportunity for the church is universal. Everyone we meet has the opportunity to become a Christian. No matter what your income, your educational background, your nationality. Whoever means whoever.

If we fully understand this verse, it means that everyone we meet, anywhere we go, people who want to get saved, can. In a Jesus built church we see with His eyes, and we reach with His hands.

This message isn’t exclusive to a few, but inclusive of all. They will be saved, not maybe, but surely they will be saved. It is an exciting opportunity that God gives the local church.

v.14a-how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? We must understand that people do not have a natural inclination to be saved. People are not just going to get saved, they aren’t going to get up and say, today would be a good day to surrender my life to Jesus Christ. We must realize that lost people will remain lost, people in darkness will stay in the dark, and people will remain as they are unless something produces change.

v.14b- how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? The gospel must be shared, the good news must be spread. It isn’t that everyone has rejected the message, they haven’t heard the message. Someone may say, here in America everyone has heard, but for many they have never had the gospel presented to them in a personal way. You may say, but television, radio, the internet are all available with the message. We must realize that most people will only be reached with a personal witness for Christ.

v.14c-how shall they hear unless someone preaches to them. Here is where the caring and sharing society comes in. We are given the great commission to share the gospel. We must preach the Word, be instant in season and out. We must always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us.

Sharing Christ isn’t just the preachers job on Sunday. Everyone is to preach, to witness, to share the message that all that call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. When you get up in the morning, and face a brand new day, do you see the world as a harvest field, do you see the opportunities that are waiting for you. The fields are ripe unto harvest. In the last days the reaper will overtake the sower. That means souls will be born into the kingdom the second the seed is sown.

v.15-how shall they preach unless they be sent? For years I only understood this from the mission point of view of giving finance so that others can carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. A better explanation of this verse is that you will never make an impact until you carry the anointing of the Lord on your life. Until you realize you are carrying His message into the world not your own message, you will not make an impact for Jesus Christ.

v.15b how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things. In God’s eyes, being a carrier of the message of God’s salvation is wonderful in His sight. What a sight for the lost to see someone coming with the message of life over death, victory over defeat, light over darkness, heaven over hell, and Jesus over Satan.

Close: in a Jesus Built church you have a caring, sharing society. It is beautiful to see a church on fire with the great commission. It makes heaven rejoice and hell to tremble. Jesus will build a church, and every demon, every devil, every obstacle will be defeated.