Who Builds Christs Church?

Men serve, preach, testify, edify….

but Christ is the builder. He is the good shepherd.

Berean Standard Bible Matt 16:13-20 Peter’s Confession of Christ

(Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20; John 6:67–71)

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!b For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20Then He admonished the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

To summarize, Peter declares Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus then explains that Peter’s understanding was not of the flesh – not of the world, but of the Spirit! Jesus then declares “on this rock I will build my church” Peter is not building Christs church Jesus is!! Men’s role is not a church builder.

This feeds directly into the distinction between the Good Shepherd and The Hired Hand.

Berean Standard Bible John 10:1-16

Jesus the Good Shepherd

(Psalm 23:1–6; Ezekiel 34:11–24)

1“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will flee from him because they do not recognize his voice.”

6Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. 7So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before Mea were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

This passage distinguishes between the good Shepherd’s and the hired hands. The Hired hands are the Thieves and Robbers not becoming the humble sevant leaders of Christ. Clearly, none of today’s denomination allow their shepherds to remain with their sheep thru their career. None of these denominations allow their “shepherd s” to leave the 99 to find the one lost sheep for life. None allow their “shepherd” to lay down their life for his sheep. They go where they are told! Such a blatant disrespect for God’s word. Even those non denominational churches who occasionally remain with their sheep thru their career just create more lukewarm presumer performers, playing the church game not new creations in Christ.

Are You A Presumer – Performer?

Berean Standard Bible Gal 1:10

Paul Preaches the Gospel

10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.b 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ

I believe the following link is an even more clear rebuttal of the idea that men can build Christ’s Church. Please take a look:

Christ Builds His Church

Prayer:

Dear God,

Your will be done. Help us to seek follow and honor you!

May this prayer be in Jesus name.

Amen

Glenn