Christ and the Church

INTRODUCTION

Recap Series

Church/Church Membership

Why it matters, what it means, how it works.

Last Week: Many Parts/One Body

Diverse — all have a role to play.

Tonight, we’re looking at Matthew 16, and we’ll see a little different side of things as we see more details of Christ’s relationship with the church.

READ: Matt. 16:13-20

PRAY

Reason we’re in Matthew 16…It’s the first mention/use of the word “Church” in the Bible.

Why is that significant? The Law of First Mention

Law of First Mention: A guideline for studying Scripture. To understand a particular word/doctrine, we must find the first place in Scripture that word/doctrine is revealed and study that passage.

Typically that first passage will reveal things to us that are foundational for interpreting that word/doctrine’s use moving forward.

The first mention usually establishes a foundation.

Here, we see a foundation for the church — a starting point that everything else is built from.

The Church is built...

1. BY Jesus.

Look at wording...

“I will build my church...”

Not a pastor, not a church leader, not a program, not an event.

He’s going t o be the one to put it together — to bring growth

What does this mean for us?

First, the church is built intentionally.

God is an intentional God. He doesn’t do things haphazardly.

That means when he builds the church, there’s a reason why he builds it the way he does.

There’s a reason he’s put you where he has in the body.

Second, the church is built perfectly.

God doesn’t make mistakes.

In building the church, he puts each piece in a particular place, for a particular reason, in a particular season.

It’s all in his perfect plan/timing.

Third, the church is built to be unstoppable.

Look at last part of v. 18...

When Jesus is the one putting the church together, there’s nothing that can stand against it.

2. FOR Him.

Look at wording again...

“I will build my church...”

Not only is he the one building it, he owns it!

It’s his church.

What does that mean for us?

If he owns it, it’s to be used for his purposes.

If I own something, I’m going to use it how I see fit, and to benefit my family!

House — shelter my family.

Vehicle — transport my family.

He owns the church — therefore, it’s to be used for his purposes and plan.

What is that plan?

Benefit His people — discipleship/community

3. ON Him.

Look at v. 18 again...

“On this rock...”

What rock?

Not Peter — this is where the Catholic Church will claim Peter was the 1st Pope, and the church was built on him.

Peter’s confession — “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Jesus builds his church around one truth: That he’s the Christ, the Savior of the world.

This is what separates us from other religions.

Other religions acknowledge Jesus, but not as the Son of God.

He’s a teacher/prophet/role model

Interesting: This exchange happened at Caesarea Philippi.

Idols in the hillsides.

The disciples are literally surrounded by false gods. Against that backdrop, Jesus asks them a question about himself that will separate them from all those other false religions.

In many ways, we find ourselves in the same situation — surrounded by false gods, false saviors.

Money, success, power, popularity, etc.

The question Jesus asked the disciples is the same one he asks us today:

Who do you say I am?

Other people religions/can make claims all they want, but the church — our faith — is to built on the premise that he’s exactly who he claimed to be.

Came, God in flesh, to save us from our sins.