1. The Church Belongs to Christ!

2. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18)

3. Matthew 16:18 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. Jesus’ statement, in response to Peter’s confession (vs. 16), “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

4. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11)

5. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. We build upon the foundation, (by preaching to and converting others), but there is no other foundation than Christ. “So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (vs. 7)

6. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21)

7. Ephesians 2:19-21 Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. The chief stone in importance, as well as honor and significance

8. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21) He purchased it with His bloodHe purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28)

9. Acts 20:28 which He purchased with His own blood Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

10. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21) He purchased it with His bloodHe purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28) He is its headHe is its head (Ephesians 5:23)

11. Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Position of authority and responsibility. As the woman belongs to the man alone in marriage, the church belongs solely to Christ.

12. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21) He purchased it with His bloodHe purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28) He is its headHe is its head (Ephesians 5:23) He governs its worshipHe governs its worship (John 4:24)

13. John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. It is Christ who has established: Our worship must be with the proper spirit Our worship must be in accord with His will (truth) “When He comes he will tell us all things” vs. 25 “I who speak to you am He [the Christ]” vs. 26

14. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21) He purchased it with His bloodHe purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28) He is its headHe is its head (Ephesians 5:23) He governs its worshipHe governs its worship (John 4:24) He assigned its workHe assigned its work (Ephesians 4:11-16)

15. Ephesians 4:11-16 for the equipping of the saintsfor the work of ministryfor the edifying of the body of Christ into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;… 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

16. The Church Belongs to Christ Because… He built itHe built it (Matthew 16:18) He is its foundationHe is its foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) He is its chief corner stoneHe is its chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:19-21) He purchased it with His bloodHe purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28) He is its headHe is its head (Ephesians 5:23) He governs its worshipHe governs its worship (John 4:24) He assigned its workHe assigned its work (Ephesians 4:11-16) He is its SaviorHe is its Savior (Ephesians 5:23)

17. Ephesians 5:23 He is the Savior of the body For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. No man can lay claim to ownership of the body of Christ. He is its head and savior.

18. Conclusion Since the church (the body of Christ) belongs to Him, we should wear His name, submit to His will, and proclaim our allegiance to Him and Him alone as our Lord and Savior. Since the church (the body of Christ) belongs to Him, we should wear His name, submit to His will, and proclaim our allegiance to Him and Him alone as our Lord and Savior.