Jesus Said, “I Will Build My Church!”
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 16:13-20
Introduction:
In our previous lesson we learned that when the Lord Jesus makes a
commitment, it is sure and unwavering! The leper whom the Lord was willing
to heal, was immediately cleansed (Mark
1:40-45). This demonstrates the will to do, and the power to do!
Some of the commitments of our Lord are immediate in application, some
according to His purposes and time.
Text –
In our text, the Lord gives us an “I
Will” statement that is according to His purposes and time. The term
“I Will” in the sense He uses it
to His disciples, was prophetic; however, just as with all prophecy, it is
always spoken of as if it was an assurance!
My Church –
Possession!
Not an institution, not even an organization, but an organic entity with a
specific order (church = the called out)!
More literal My Body –
Ephesians 1:22-23
– only one Head!
Purchased with Blood –
Acts 20:28
No other foundation –
1 Corinthians 3:11
No other name –
Acts 4:11-12;
Philippians 1:9-11
All of this spoken to enlighten Christians of the only one with
Preeminence!!!
Matthew 28:18;
Ephesians 1:22-23;
Colossians 1:18.
Build –
Construct!
(I will – Now is!) Post His victorious death, burial, and resurrection, the
Lord ascended to the Father and received a coronation; a headship and in
turn began the process of construction fulfilling
“I Will” into
“Now Is!”
Acts 2:30,
36;
4:23-31.
The Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved –
Acts 2:47
Process:
Ephesians 2:1-10
– Refined for God’s purposes!
This entire portion of Paul’s revelation to the Christians in Ephesus, those
this letter would be shared with, and all of us by proxy is defining the
process by which unrefined material (useless in the dead in trespass state),
is refined for God’s purposes (the issue of tense in these verses is very
important, it is explaining to those who are refined, the process that
brought them to this state).
The grace of God being spoken of here is the work of God on behalf of the
redemptive process He and He alone is able to provide to man (used in this
sense going as far back as
Genesis 6
and God’s redemptive work on behalf of Noah and his family). Since the grace
of God is dealing with man’s redemption that only He could provide; we need
to comprehend that Jesus Christ is the grace of God. In addition, since God
only speaks to us today through Jesus Christ (Hebrews
1:1-3); in fact everything the Christ of God asks of us
(commands to be obeyed, promises to know, and warnings to heed),
IS THE GRACE OF GOD!!!
This comprehension helps us understand that we could not have provided this
redemptive work, so we cannot boast (Vs.
9); however, on the other hand, since it is from God through
Jesus Christ as the grace of God, we are then recreated for good works which
we cannot boast about, since they are clearly from God and we willingly, and
simply, and humbly do all we can to live in them (Vs.
10).
This is in harmony with the precedence set in
Acts 2:38-42!!!
Ephesians 2:11-18
– Unified for God’s purposes!
Vs. 11-13
– Now all men
Vs. 14-15
– Abolished the Old Law (only for Israel)
Vs. 16-18
– Reconciled all men in one Body!!!
There was only to be one Body –
Ephesians 4:4!!!
Ephesians 2:19-22
– Built for God’s purposes!
Vs. 19
– Household of God – Sons by Christ –
Romans 8:16-17
Vs. 20
– Proper foundation (not human wisdom), not still being laid (foundation) –
1 Corinthians 3:11.
Vs. 21
– Joined together; by what glue or mortar -
1 Timothy 3:15???
Pilate said, “What is truth?”
John 18:38
--
John 12:48-49;
17:17;
1 John 2:3-6
How are we finding out about it right now? 2000 years later –
reproducible results = truth!
A holy temple – set apart – offerings made – house of God!
Vs. 22
– “YOU” are being built! Only
one –
4:4
Are we are trying with all our strength to be this one! Wear His name, be
established in the pillar of truth – and humbly satisfied with His wisdom.
The Lord said “I Will”; the
completion of everything He said that He would do is unquestionable; the
only question that remains is are we being refined, unified, and
constructed for His purposes?