I Will Build My Church -- 3/25/07 (The Lord's Church)

Sunday, March 25, 2007

I Will Build My Church
Matt. 16:13-19

For some time we looked at what I called Eternal Realities. I won’t go back through that again, but I hope we can never escape those concepts. More and more, may they become a part of our thinking. May God make us keenly aware that we have an enemy who is eager to deceive us into thinking they are not that vitally important. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:7-8).

For the most part, we have been focusing upon the individual’s relationship with God. And so it should be, for that relationship is very important. However, this morning we will be shifting our focus. In conjunction with His ministry to Zacchaeus, Jesus said: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Without doubt, Jesus died for individuals, even for outcasts like Zacchaeus, who was a despised and hated tax collector, but that isn’t the end of the story.

Let’s take a few minutes to read Eph. 2:13-22…
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

If you aren’t familiar with this passage, it may be a bit hard to comprehend at first. The background is the adversarial relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. In this passage, the Gentiles are those who were far off, and the Jews are those who were near (vs. 17). Jews and Gentiles hated one another. But in Christ Jesus, they have become a part of one household (family), the household of God. They all make up the same building. In the analogy of chapter 5, they all make up the bride of Christ. According to Eph. 3, this "mystery" of the Jews and Gentiles being brought together in one family is intended to display the manifold wisdom of God to the heavenly authorities (3:10).

We must understand that while Jesus died for the individual, every individual who comes into a relationship with God through Christ becomes a part of the family of God. There are no exceptions. There are no loners in God’s economy.

This morning I would like us to take a look at the foundations of the Lord’s church. Many of you know me pretty well, and I know you pretty well. Some of you are thinking, "Well, where is Ron going with this." I don’t want to leave you to wonder about it; I’ll just tell you. Norman and I have been sensing for quite some time that we need to take some time to explore what it means to be a part of the church. We have been praying about it consistently for at least a year.

So why is this important? There are many reasons, but I will mention a few. First of all, the American model of the church of Jesus Christ is a mess. Some see the church as a building; others see it as an institution; many have little idea what the church is or what it is supposed to be. Many of us have to honestly admit that we aren’t exactly sure how the church should function in our society. Along with the sad state of the church is the strong influence of American culture within the church, especially the influence of rugged American individualism. One of the greatest curses of the church in our day is a spirit of independence. I’m not sure yet, but it might be accurate to title our current direction: "The Declaration of Dependence." I didn’t say "The Declaration of Independence," but "The Declaration of Dependence." Adam left us a very generous supply of the spirit of independence. We desperately need to abide in the last Adam, who was totally dependent upon His Father. If you want to hear Jesus’ declaration of dependence, you can read it especially in the Gospel of John…
John 4:34 "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
John 5:19 "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."
John 5:30 "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
John 8:26 "I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him."

I. Jesus’ Declaration – "I Will Build My Church"

So this morning I want to direct us to Matthew 16. It is a well-known passage to most of us, but let’s read it again. Read Matt. 16:13-23…
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Now there are many very interesting details in verses 13-19. In looking at those details, people have disagreed concerning their meaning down through the centuries. This morning I want us to focus on the main statement that Jesus made. There in verses 13-19, what is the one central declaration that overshadows everything else? Jesus said: "I will build my church."

Don’t you love the fact that it is such a definite statement? Jesus didn’t say, "I will try to build my church." He didn’t say, "If all goes well, I will build my church." Nor did He say, "If you will help me, I will build my church." No, He simply stated in no uncertain terms: "I will build my church." What a promise. You can count on it. Jesus has never failed to keep a promise, and He won’t fail on this one either. Jesus will build His church.

II. What Is It that Jesus Is Building?

So what is it that Jesus is building? Is it a physical building, an edifice like this one or others all around us? Is that what Jesus promised to build? No. When Jesus made this statement, He was not thinking about physical buildings. We know this, but we forget very easily. How many times do we refer to this building as "the church"? I admit that sometimes I forget and I am guilty. But this building is not the church. If it burned to the ground this afternoon, would there be any less church than before it burned? No. This is only a building where the church occasionally meets. I encourage us to refrain from calling this building "the church." We say, "You know what I mean." Then let’s practice saying what we mean. Jesus isn’t building a physical structure.

So what is He building? Is He building an institution, an organization? Sometimes we give that impression. If we are not careful, we will get the idea that the church of Jesus Christ is limited to our meetings in this place. Never. Many people see the church as a type of organization. The difference is that the church is a religious organization, a spiritual institution. No, the church is nothing like an organization or institution.

Then what is it that Jesus is building? Come back with me to the passage we read in Ephesians 2. I want you to notice in this passage three terms that are used to describe the church. First of all, take note of the word "body" in 2:16, "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:" Paul is speaking of how Jesus through His death has reconciled both Jew and Gentile and set them in one body.

The church is a body. More specifically, the church is the body of Christ and Jesus Himself is the head (I Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23). When Jesus said, "I will build my church," He is referring to this body. If you want to read a thorough presentation of the church-as-a-body analogy, read the classic passage in I Cor. 12, where Paul tells the Corinthian believers that though there are many parts in the body, they are all one. So it is in the body of Christ. We are many, but we are one, all under the one Head, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now come to Eph. 2:18-19, "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Notice the word "household." Today we would likely use the word "family." When Jesus said "I will build my church," He was saying that He would build His family. In Gal. 6:10, Paul refers to this family as "the household of faith." The church is the family that is made up of those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is our Father, and we who are in Christ are all brothers and sisters. Have you ever noticed how the New Testament is filled with family terms, such as "Father" and "brother"? Jesus Himself anticipated this picture of the church in Matt. 12:47-50…
Mat 12:47-50 "Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49. And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

And now in Eph. 2 let’s continue right on and read 2:20-22…
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Do you see the word "building"? There is a sense in which Jesus is building a building, but that building is not made up of boards or bricks. We who belong to Him are the building materials. This building is growing into a holy temple in the Lord (Eph. 2:21). Peter refers to us as living stones, which are being fit together into a spiritual house (I Pet. 2:5).

So we see that Jesus promised to build a body, a family, a spiritual house. These are all beautiful pictures of the church that Jesus said He would build.

III. And Who Is It that Is Building the Church?

So let me ask you a question: Who is building the church today? This is not a trick question. Who is building the church? Jesus is building the church. If Jesus said, "I will build my church," can there be any question concerning who is building it? Jesus has never failed to keep a promise, and He won’t fail to keep this one. Remember, He didn’t say that He might build His church or that He would try to build it; He said, "I will build my church."

Men can build physical buildings, and some of them are very impressive. Men can build organizations and institutions, and they too can be quite impressive. But make no mistake about it, only Jesus can build His church. No man can build it. When I was in seminary, as a part of one of my last classes, a few of us met with a pastor of a very large church. I still remember what he said, "Men, if you are going to build a church, you will need to spend 70 to 80 hours a week working at it." Listen. Even if a man or all the men in the world worked 24 hours a day seven days a week, they cannot build the church. Only Jesus can build His church.

Now if Jesus is building His church today, where do we look for it? Do we look for the most impressive building? Do we search for the "churches" who have the most people in attendance, or who are baptizing the most people? Or perhaps we should look for those who are taking in the most money? Is this the church that Jesus is building? Remember that man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Let me remind us of the identity of the church Jesus is building. Jesus said, "I will build my church." Does Jesus sound kind of possessive? Indeed, He does. Let no one wonder to whom this church belongs; it belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not hesitate to refer to as "my church." Is it any wonder? In Eph. 5:25 Paul tells us that "Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it." Jesus can claim the church for His own because He purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

But wait a minute. Isn’t it true that the church in America is in a mess today? Don’t I remind you often to be aware of the great deception that is rampant in our religious society? Didn’t Jesus Himself warn us to watch out for false teachers? Then how can it be said that Jesus is building His church? We don’t trust what we see with our eyes; we trust what our Lord has said. If Jesus said, "I will build my church," then we can trust that He is doing exactly that. This doesn’t mean that everything which claims to be the church is His church. Anyone can build a building, put a sign on it, and organize into what is called a church, but that doesn’t mean the Lord is a part of it.

Go back and remember the situation with God’s people in the Old Testament. Just two weeks ago we read about some of that in the prophet Hosea. God’s people forsook Him for idols. Their disobedience and rebellion became so serious that God stirred up a foreign nation to come in and take them captive. But even in the midst of it all, there was a faithful remnant that loved and served the true God. And so it is today. In the midst of all the religious hype in our society, there is a faithful remnant. There are those who do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with their God (Mic. 6:8). This is the church Jesus is building.

Even within many individual congregations Jesus is building His church. Consider this local congregation right here. We must confess that we are full of failures, shortcomings, and sometimes disobedience. Everyone who attends services here is not a part of Jesus’ church. It is very likely that some who claim to be a part of His church are not truly a part. Nevertheless, Jesus is building His church. Along with His people in other places, we are being faithfully shaped into a holy temple in the Lord.

The true church is made up of those people who have been made alive in Jesus Christ. God convicted them of sin and they responded through repentance and faith. The life of Jesus Christ is within. That is the church Jesus is building. Are you a part of that church?

IV. And How Is Jesus Building His Church?

So how is Jesus building His church? To answer that question, let’s go back to what Jesus says. Let’s read it again in Matt. 16:17-19…
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus said clearly that He would build His church "upon this rock." But what is "this rock" upon which His church will be built? Over the centuries, volumes have been written in an attempt to answer this question. Perhaps the best known explanation is that given by the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman church has taught that Peter is the rock. Jesus gave him the authority and he, in turn, passed that authority down. Peter is viewed as the first Pope, and the passing down of papal authority has continued in an unbroken succession to our day. Therefore, Peter and the succeeding Popes are the rock upon which Jesus is building His church.

Perhaps the greatest problem with this interpretation is that great authority has been placed in the hands of a man, regardless of his relationship with the Lord. As we have seen this teaching played out in Roman Catholicism, the authority of the Pope rivals the authority of scripture itself.

Other interpretations of this passage have been a reaction against the Roman viewpoint. In order to distance themselves from papal authority, many have tried to remove Peter altogether. While the Greek word translated "Peter" does indeed mean "rock," they have noted that it is not the same word as the "rock" upon which Jesus said He would build His church. The "rock" the church is built on is a large mass of rock. The "Peter rock" is a piece of rock, such as a stone that a person would throw. From that distinction, they would conclude that Jesus was not saying He would build the church upon Peter.

Most of those in my background have favored the idea that Jesus was talking about Peter’s profession. That profession that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, was not something Peter worked up. Rather, Jesus makes it clear that no man revealed it to him, but the Father in heaven. Therefore, the church is built upon the kind of faith which Peter exemplified, but that faith is found in all who trust the Lord with their lives.

While there is much to commend that interpretation, it seems to me that it is an over-reaction against the importance of Peter. While the faith of Peter is vitally important, I don’t think we can totally divorce the man Peter from his profession. It is interesting that the closing words of verse 19 are repeated again in Matt. 18:18, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." There is only one difference: while here they are spoken to Peter, in 18:18 Jesus addresses them to all of His apostles. It seems that Peter is representative of the entire group of apostles. While here Jesus speaks to Peter, saying "Upon this rock I will build my church," in chapter 18 He gives the same authority to all the apostles which He here gives to Peter. That isn’t hard to understand, because it seems clear that Peter was the leader in the group of apostles. So I suggest we consider that the rock upon which Jesus would build His church was bigger than Peter; it included the entire group of apostles.
Come again to Ephesians 2. Let’s read again 2:19-22…
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Speaking to both Jews and Gentiles, Paul said, "You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." He uses the same building language that Jesus used, and he speaks of the apostles as the foundation of the building, with Jesus being the chief corner stone. You notice that the foundation is made up of both the apostles and prophets. There is some question about what he means by "the prophets." Is he speaking of the prophets of the Old Testament, men like Isaiah and Jeremiah? Or, is he speaking of the prophets of the New Testament church?
People disagree over which he had in mind.

We probably have a better understanding of the Old Testament prophets. On the other hand, who are these New Testament prophets? These were people who heard from the Lord and passed the message on to the believers. We read of these prophets over in chapter 4. Eph. 4:11-12, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." So in the immediate context, Paul may be speaking of these New Testament prophets, which God gave to the church, along with the apostles. Through the apostles and prophets, God made known His revelation to His people.

People have differing ideas about these apostles and prophets. Do we still have apostles today? Regardless of what you believe about whether or not we have modern-day apostles and prophets, one thing is certain – God revealed His will to His people through these men. And through the apostles He did something else. It was through the apostles that God gave us the New Testament. While every New Testament writer was not an apostle, the apostles were the primary source for the other writers. God not only used Peter and the others to reveal His will to the early church, but through them He gave us the New Testament, which reveals His will for us today.

Now if Paul is speaking of the Old Testament prophets (which included not only the writing prophets, but also men such as Moses), then the apostles and prophets would be the source of the entire Bible. If he is referring to New Testament prophets, then the focus would be on the New Testament. Either way, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the lasting work of these men was the scripture with which God has blessed us. There is a real sense in which the foundation composed by the apostles and prophets has been preserved in the scriptures. The rock upon which Jesus is building His church cannot be severed from the scriptures, which point to Jesus, the chief cornerstone.

Conclusion

When it comes to the church of Jesus Christ, things are not always as they appear to be. Let me illustrate that truth by going to Romans 9. This is a rather difficult passage, but it is also an important passage. First, let’s read Rom. 9:1-5…
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2. That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4. Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5. Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

These verses remind us that Israel was rejecting Jesus as their Messiah, and that fact greatly
distressed Paul. He loved the Jews, his "kinsmen according to the flesh." He loved them so much he said he was willing to be cut off from Christ, if it would mean their salvation.

Now it would seem that the promises of God had failed. These were His people. This was Israel, to whom He had made great promises. They were the descendants of Abraham, whom God had promised to bless and make a blessing to all nations. Beginning in verse 6, Paul shows that God’s promise had not failed, though it might appear that way. Let’s read Rom. 9:6-8…
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Here is the key: "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel." Not everyone who wears the name Israel is truly Israel. It might be assumed that Israel is made up of all the descendants of Abraham, but we know that isn’t true, because those who came through Ishmael are not Israel. Well, then Israel is made up of all the descendants of Isaac. No, that isn’t true either, because the children of Esau are not Israel. Without further elaboration, Paul then states, "They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." In other words, being a part of God’s people goes deeper than the physical.

And so it is with the church today. Not everyone who claims to be a part of the church is really part of the church. Jesus said it well, "That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit" (Jn. 3:6). Jesus is building His church, but His church is not identical with what is recognized as the church in our world.

May it be our longing to be a part of His true church and to invite others to be a part of that church. Jesus is building His church, and He invites us to be a part of the work. Yes, He wants to work in and through us who truly know Him.