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
He is the head of His body according to Ephesians 1:22-23
a.The body is subject to the head in verse 22 And hath put all things under his feet,and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
b.The body cannot function without the head in verse 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
He is the head of His bride according to Ephesians 5:23-27 He is the chief decision-maker in verses 23-24 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
He is the willing sacrifice for her verse 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
His purpose is to prepare her to be a perfect bride in verses 26-27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That 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.
B.Key points concerning His authority:
A church cannot properly grow. If its priorities are not Jesus’ priorities.
What are His priorities?
1.The lost Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous,but sinners to repentance.
2.Love for one another John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,if ye have love one to another. Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. 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. 3.Unity
Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith,and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
4.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;
5.Persistence & dedication 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. He must remain your first love
When He is robbed of His glory. Then we are robbed of our power
God cannot work in a vessel filled with other things
3.Jesus is the Focus of His Church
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? Peter answered with this is verse 16 “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Verse 17 says this 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. Then notice the two “I’s” in verse 18 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.
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. A.He cannot be the focus when:
People have their own agenda
Individuals are thin skinned & easily hurt Yet the Bible says this in Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Programs, money & power plays take the place of ministry
People are negative & defeatist
The cares & comforts of the people choke out the concern for the lost & hurting Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
B.When Christ is truly the center:
We will trust His promises & obey Him with joy Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 12:28 Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
The Holy Spirit will work through us. We will see the needs of others as Christ sees them
We will see each other in a more positive light
We will be excited about the possibilities God has for us
We will serve with gladness Psalms 100:1-5 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know 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. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me,Let us go into the house of the LORD. 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? The altar is now open for business. As the music plays please come. Salvation, join, or just to spend time with the Lord. As the Bible says in Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (A promise from the Lord to all of us) Please come now!
