Reflection
The church is both the universal and local people called by the Holy Spirit and redeemed by Jesus alone. Our citizenship is secure in heaven and our devotion on earth is the work of God. We are baptized into His body and led by men called of God to the roles of elders and deacons with the purposes of fellowship, worship, discipleship, evangelism, and ministry.
Jude 4, 8, 12, 13, 16, 1 Peter 2:9-12, Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 5:23-32, Acts 20:28, Colossians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-2, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 3:8-13, Acts 2:42-49. Matthew 22:37-39, Matthew 28:19-20
Discussion
In Matthew 16:15-19 Jesus asks the most important question and makes a statement that is foundation to His church even today.
Matthew 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” The question is asked of His disciples then the same as of us today. The answer has been the same eternally in the past: “You are the Christ the son of God.”
This statement of who Jesus is marks out His people. There are those who truly believe in Christ and are His people, the church. Then there are those who do not believe in Christ who make up the lost and dying world. The line is drawn and each of us is either in His church or outside of His church. There is no middle ground.
Jesus said, “I will build My church.” Those He calls to build His church are HIs people who believe in Him alone.
Solus Christus: Christ alone.
Anything more or less is a lie bent on deceiving men and women into false security and eternal damnation.
Connection
Who do you say Jesus is?
What is the single binding factor of the church?
How can your life align with the direction of God’s church?
Expansion
God Will Build His Church
Colossians 1:15-20, Colossians 3:15, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Matthew 22:37-39, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:42-27