It’s All About Jesus
Griffith Baptist Church – 4/19/09
A.M. Service
Text: Matthew 16:13-18
Key verse: Matthew 16:16 - And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Premise: Let’s set the record straight! The church is not about entertainment, programs, popularity, size or individuals, but about the Son of God, period!
The Introduction
Haddon Robinson points out that one old recipe for rabbit started out with this injunction: ’First catch the rabbit." Says Robinson: ’The writer 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. Haddon Robinson, source unknown
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.
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, we need to first have a church, the church we are in, where Christ is worshipped, adored, and placed first.
There are three criteria that people in a Bible-believing church need to embrace so that Christ is first.
Body
1. Jesus is the Founder of His Church
A. 18 - I will build
i. No one else could do what Jesus did
ii. He is the key architect, the designer
iii. He is the foundation – 1 Corinthians 3:11 – For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
iv. He is the cornerstone - 1 Peter 2:6 - Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
v. Without Him, the entire structure of the church will crumble
B. Key factors concerning the spiritual foundation of the church:
i. He will always be steady (nothing can jar him from His place)
ii. He will never crumble and disintegrate over time (He will never grow old and weak)
iii. He will never have to be replaced (even though some try)
iv. Whatever church and people stand on Him will be in a safe and victorious place – Matthew 7:24-25 - 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And 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. 18 – I will build my church
i. This concerns His authority
ii. He possesses it, it is His to do with as He pleases
iii. He is the head of His body - Ephesians 1:22-23 - 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
a. The body is subject to the head - 22
b. The body cannot function without the head - 23
iv. He is the head of His bride - Ephesians 5:23-27 – 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
a. He is the chief decision-maker – 23-24
b. He is the willing sacrifice for her – 25
c. His purpose is to prepare her to be a perfect bride – 26-27
B. Key points concerning His authority:
i. A church cannot properly grow if its priorities are not Jesus’ priorities. What are His priorities?:
a. The lost – Luke 19:10 - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
b. Love for one another
• John 13:34-35 – 34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
• 1 John 4:12 - No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
• Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
c. Unity
• Psalms 133:1 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
• Ephesians 4:3 - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
d. Prayer
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
• Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
e. Persistence and dedication - 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
ii. He must remain your first love
a. When He is robbed of His glory, we are robbed of our power
b. God cannot work in a vessel filled with other things
3. Jesus is the Focus of His Church
A. 16 – You are the Christ, the Son of the living God the two “I’s” in verse 18
i. Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
ii. He cannot be the focus when:
a. People have their own agenda
b. Individuals are thin skinned and easily hurt
c. Programs, money and power plays take the place of ministry
d. People are negative and defeatist
e. The cares and comforts of the people choke out the concern for the lost and hurting
B. When Christ is truly the center:
i. We will trust His promises and obey Him with joy
ii. The Holy Spirit will work through us and His presence sensed in us
iii. We will see the needs of others as Christ sees them
iv. We will see each other in a more positive light
v. We will be excited about the possibilities God has for us
vi. We will serve with gladness – Psalms 100:1 - 1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Conclusion:
A great church is not found in the greatness of its people but in the greatness of its Lord.
Where is Christ in this church?
Where is Christ in your life?
