Text: (Matthew 16:13-18)–13. When Jesus came into the coasts of Cae-sa-re-a Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Eli-jah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the phophets. 15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jo-na: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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.
1. The Saving Confession of the Church (v.16)-”thou art the Christ the Son of the living God”
Only trusting and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be granted entrace into the kingdom as one of God’s children; the beloved church the bride of Christ. By the name of Jesus and;
THE BODY–BRIDE–BUILDING–BEGINNING–
2.The Sovereign Construction of the Church (v.18)-”I will build my church”
Jesus is the architect, creator, sustainer of the entire universe. So it is with His church. No one cannot accept Jesus unless that he/she is drawn by God through the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who places us into the body of Christ. Not mama, daddy, sis/bro, preacher, teacher, pastor, none but God. For He alone is worthy to be praised for our salvation. It is a gift of God, it is by grace through faith, not of works or self.
- A. NOTICE THE PERSON…I Refer to notes by JD Grasty
- B. NOTICE THE PLAN…WILL The word “will” means Descretion–Determination–Direction
- C. NOTICE THE PLAN…BUILD
- D. NOTICE HOW PERSONAL…MY
3. The Spiritual Composition of the Church (Ephesians 2:21-22) (v.18b)-”Church”
We are built together for an habitation of God. We individually are called “the temply of the Holy Ghost” and collectively the church (all true believers) is the habitation of the Spirit of God for we are all ONE BODY with many MEMBERS and CHRIST is the HEAD of the BODY!!
4. The Singular Comission of the Church (Matthew 28:19-20)(v. 18c)-”gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
What is our duty on this earth?? Simple…we were called out of the world, to pull them into Christ and we were drawn into Christ, that we may drag them from the bondages of sin and evil (Satan himself). That’s our Job…Are U in the CHURCH or are U just in church????
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