Jesus Will Build His Church

Some time ago I was on my way back from Sasolburg after presenting a word school and also attending a meeting with a group of businessmen meditating what was shared and discussed when the Lord spoke to me and said “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH”

My response was “Lord?” What is this all about? The Lord then continued to share with my showing me how men try to build the church. We try to build and establish what we call ministry and the church in the way we believe that God is directing and showing us. Most of the time we only end up doing our own thing being blissfully unaware that the Glory of God has departed and that we are not probably building in the way of Jeroboam in stead of following the pattern that God has shown and revealed to us.

WE NEED TO DISCERN THE TRUE AND FALSE DIMENSION OF CHURCH

In our discussion today I want invite you on a journey as we unpack this statement that Jesus made.

Mat 16:16-19 AMP

(16) Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

(17) Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.

(18) And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros–a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra –a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].

(19) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. [Isaiah 22:22]

This is such a well known portion of scripture and we tend to read quickly over it as we think that we understand what Jesus is saying. As I was reading the Holy Spirit stopped me and started speaking to me.

The first thing that was highlighted to me was the statement that was made by Peter:

Mat 16:16 AMP

(16) ……. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

In the response of Jesus we can clearly see that Peter has tapped into the Holy Spirit and has received revelation of who and what Jesus is as the CHRIST the very SON of GOD.

In the continuing dialogue Jesus clearly indicated that HE will build HIS CHURCH on the rock of Peter’s confession and not on the man called Peter.

Peter’s name signified a stone, that which could be easily moved or held within one’s hand. Jesus would not build His church on mere men. Jesus will build upon a foundation that can not be moved. He will build on Peter’s confession. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God“. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself will be the actual foundation for the church.

1Co 3:11 AMP

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Isa 28:16 AMP

Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]. [Psalms 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; Romans 9:33; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-6]

Jesus make a very strong and clear statement at this time:

Mat 16:18 AMP

And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros–a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra –a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].

I want us to take a moment and look in depth at this sentence word for word:

First, this sentence discloses who will build the church. “I (Jesus) will build My church.” Jesus is the builder of the church, not you and me. He wants to use us in the process of the building of the church, but He is the builder.

Paul had a clear understanding of this concept:

1Co 3:10 AMP

According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it,

By the grace of God, Paul served the Lord. As he went about proclaiming Christ, the Lord was using him to lay the foundation of Christ in lives that were being saved and individual churches that were being planted through his ministry.

Jesus will be the one doing the work. Our responsibility is only to obey and to give expression of what God wants to build and plant through us.

Jesus is the one building the church.

Mat 16:18 AMP

Second, This promise of Jesus reveals the certainty of His church being built. “I will (assuredly) build My church. ” There is no room for doubt. Jesus will do what He promised. The only question is whether or not we will be available as a part of this awesome process. God wants to make you and me usable for His work:

2Ti 2:21 AMP

So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.

Third, this promise indicates the manner in which the Lord wants to work. “I will build (construct) My church.”

G3618 – BUILD – oikodomeō_-_Thayer Definition:

1) to build a house, erect a building

1a) to build (up from the foundation)

In the construction of a building you build with both numbers and selected quality products. We see the same thing taking place as God builds his church. He will add to the church through those who draw great numbers…..

Act 2:47 AMP

Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].

….. but then He also builds through master builders that focus on quality in what is being built. The Lord also enriches those He saves, bringing to His church qualitative development.

Act 4:33 AMP

And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.

Fourth, His promise settles the issue of ownership. “I will build My (Jesus’) church.” The church does not belong to the Pastor, the Church Board, the District Office or even the spiritual father or set man. The ownership of the CHURCH is in the name of Jesus. He paid the price to redeem us:

Act 20:28 AMP

Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood.

Fifth, this promise specifies exactly what Jesus is going to build. “I will build My church (His people).” The church is not a building. This word (church) literally speaks of “a called out people.”

G1577 – CHURCH – ekklēsia_-_Thayer Definition:

a gathering of citizens called out
all who were called by and to Christ in the fellowship of His salvation, the church worldwide of all times, and only secondarily to an individual church

1Pe 2:9-10 AMP

(9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exodus 19:5-6]

(10) Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. [Hosea 2:23]

LASTLY: The Mandate of the Church:

Mat 16:19 AMP

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. [Isaiah 22:22]

The mandate of the church is to take what God has already declared in the Heavenlies and bring it into the earth. This would be that which is bound by the Father and that which is loosed by the Father.

Let us search our hearts and do a forensic audit on what we are building. Is what we build being built being built by the Lord or is it you and me that is doing the building. The WORD is quite clear on this matter…..

1Pe 2:6-8 AMP

(6) For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. [Isaiah 28:16]

(7) To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, [Psalms 118:22]

(8) And, a Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do.

Heb 12:28 AMP

Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship, with modesty and pious care and godly fear and awe;

I greatly encourage you to study the following book:

Grace and peace to you until next time.