Will Build My Church, Will You?

Matthew 16:13-27 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 16:13-27 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:13-27 21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Matthew 16:13-27 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

The place Jesus chose to make this Declaration about the Church. The Bible teaches us that the church is to be triumphant power on Earth, not even the gates of Hell will destroy it; only apathy, unbelief, and disobedience can hurt it. The place Jesus chose to make this Declaration about the Church. Will Build My Church, Will You?

CONFESSION OF THE CHURCH Who do you say He is? If you don’t see Jesus by the Spirit you will try to naturalize Him and put Him down on your level. How we answer this may very well determine our eternal destination! Ultimately it isn't how someone else answers this question that gets us into heaven; it is how we answer it! Will Build My Church, Will You?

It was upon this Revelation of His Identity – That the “ROCK,” the church would be Build!!! Many people today are willing to give Jesus an unusual place in history but they are not willing to face Him as the God of the present and the future! This is the main confession of the church – that Jesus is the Son of God! A correct view of Christ identity will help you to have a correct identity in your own life.

THE AUTHORITY OF HIS CHURCH – Authority was Promised    THE AUTHORITY OF HIS CHURCH – Authority was Promised It was promised "the keys of the kingdom.” Matthew 16:19 The figure of "keys" suggest the ability to allow entrance into the kingdom! Promised the power "to bind" and "to loose.“ All the gods & idolatry be bound and the church be loosed!!! Will Build

  Matt. 18:18 Build My

AUTHORITY OF HIS CHURCH    THE EARLY CHURCH RECOGNIZED THIS AUTHORITY They "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine..." What is the apostles' doctrine? Acts 2:42-47 - And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 …and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Will Build

AUTHORITY OF HIS CHURCH    THE EARLY CHURCH RECOGNIZED THIS AUTHORITY Acts 2:42-47 - 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, those who were being saved. 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Will Build

COST OF THE CHURCH - Price-tag Jesus begins to tell His disciples the cost that would be involved for their spiritual life to become a reality. Matthew 16:21 Building the church would not necessarily involve ease or comfort! The church is not just another marketing institution, it is a vital living entity that is the body of Christ! The cost of our salvation was great, let's make sure we never cheapen the price by getting lost on things that don’t matter! Will Build My Church, Will You?

COST OF THE CHURCH - Problem Matt. 16:22-23 Lost of Focus: Peter demonstrates how easy it is to one minute be right on target and then lose focus the next minute! Peter quickly falls from a "ROCK" to a stumbling "STONE!“ It only took a minute for him to forget what God wanted and to insert what he wanted! Will Build My Church, Will You?

COST OF THE CHURCH - Problem - Matthew 16:22-23 The reason why Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan" was simple: Satan in the wilderness had tempted Jesus to avoid the cross... this is exactly what Peter's statement meant, and so in this way Peter was suggesting the same thing as the Devil himself! How many Christians have fallen into the same temptation that Satan has always tried to use, that we can be Christians without paying any price-tag! Churches are full of people that have no desire to follow Jesus' command to preach the Gospel, to share the message of salvation, may this never be here!

Personal - Matthew 16:24-26 CALL OF THE CHURCH Jesus now asks for a price from His disciples too.  There is a cross bearing for each believer as well as for Christ. Christianity that exacts no sacrifice on its followers is no real Christianity! This is not always easy, but it is the call of the church! Will Build My Church, Will You?

CALL OF THE CHURCH - Personal The world is looking for godly men and women, the church in power! While the world just coasts along the church must not! Not so much the institution we call the church, but the believers who make up the church, are we taking up our cross, are we sharing the Gospel, etc? This is the church's call! Will Build My Church, Will You?

CALL OF THE CHURCH - Promise God never asks for something without giving something in return and eternity will be well worth any sacrifice we might make here and now.  Matthew 16:27 Some day all the petty things of this life will be all but forgotten, but what has been done for Christ will live on and on. Get in on the best building program in the universe – WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Will Build My Church, Will You?

      WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? May we start today engaging as the church to make a difference in someone else’s life! Apply & Mobilize Will Build

Will Build My Church, Will You?