" CHRIST: The OWNER, BUILDER & PRESERVER of the Church "

Matthew 16:18,   " 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. "

     People often ask each other, "Where is your church ?" And, just as often, the response is: "My church is such-and-such." Of course, the person is thinking in terms of a building where people meet for the purpose of worshiping GOD and ministering to one another. Our LORD speaks of building a church -- HIS church --not a material building, but saints "called out" by the LORD to form the body of CHRIST (1st.Corinthians 12), which is manifested in various locations by local assemblies. CHRIST's church represents the highest priority on GOD's agenda -- HIS blueprint for completing HIS plans on earth. Today's study contains such important truth that we need to understand.

     CHRIST owns the church: "I will build MY church." Believers have been purchased at tremendous cost and, understandably, are GOD's property (1st.Corinthians 6:19-20). We have been purchased not with silver and gold but with the blood of CHRIST (1st.Peter 1:18-19). The implications are obvious -- GOD's people do not exist for their own benefit but for HIS benefit. Thus, church leaders must remember that they are dealing with GOD's property; the Bible exhorts them to practice humility, not dictatorial leadership or manipulation (1st.Peter 5:1-3). Leaders certainly have to exercise authority, as the Scriptures teach, but not with hidden agendas for personal advancement (1st.Corinthians 4:2). Consider the following:  We are accountable to one another (Galatians 6:1ff). and GOD expects mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21) and servanthood (Philippians 2:4) from every member of HIS church. When church leaders attempt to use carnal methods to accomplish worthy goals, they have forgotten who owns the church. Our SAVIOR said, "I will build MY church."

     Not only does CHRIST own the church, but HE also builds the church. Before HIS ascension, JESUS instructed HIS disciples to make other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), just as HE had taught while on earth. In all our evangelism and discipleship, we must realize that we cannot do CHRIST's work for HIM; we are merely HIS representatives during this period of HIS physical absence from the earth (2nd.Corinthians 5:17-20). When we view the latest technology or the newest church growth craze, we might wonder how the early church ever made it. Just as confusion is in the minds of many as to who owns the church, so it would appear that many are confused concerning who builds the church. In the frenzy to grow "seeker-sensitive, mega-church" ministries, forgotten is the fact that JESUS CHRIST made disciples the hard way -- one PERSON pouring HIS life into another in on-the-job training, which was, in turn, enjoined upon HIS followers (2nd.Timothy 2:2). In obedience to HIS command, JESUS' disciples witnessed to others with their lives and their lips; they saw no shortcut in building the early church.

     JESUS said, "I will build MY church." The particulars of that process are revealed in HIS command to "go . . . teach . . . baptize" (Matthew 28:19). All are called to be witnesses, for the implementation is in the "going" -- which may involve praying (Matthew 9:38), helping to send forth (Acts 13:3), and sustaining those who have gone into service (3 John 6-8). Those identified with CHRIST -- having received the WORD, they are baptized as an outward expression of their faith -- are to be indoctrinated in the truths of GOD's WORD. Yet the power is not ours (Matthew 28:18); CHRIST is the BUILDER -- "I will build MY church."

     CHRIST owns the church; CHRIST builds the church; CHRIST preserves the church -- "the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Satan and all his host will not defeat the church. Even JESUS' OWN impending death did not prevent HIS work of building the church, for HE was anticipating HIS death and HIS victory over death through the resurrection (Matthew 16:21). The advance of CHRIST's church will never be halted; no effort of Satan can avail to destroy the church or prevent the progress of its testimony. The knowledge of this truth ought to take the pressure off our own schedules and agendas. We can be involved in CHRIST's building of the church with a sense of trust, believing that GOD's ultimate purposes will be accomplished. Three passive verbs in Ephesians 2:20-22 support the fact that the church is both built and preserved by GOD -- having been "built," we are also being "fitly framed" and "are builded together for an habitation of GOD through the SPIRIT." We are "living stones" upon whom CHRIST is using HIS chisel and hammer to ready the church for HIS OWN purpose (1st.Peter 2:5).

     What an encouragement this is to the heart of the child of GOD ! We are involved with CHRIST in the building of the church (HE is the BUILDER), and it is a no-risk venture. The ultimate success of HIS building project is guaranteed. It has been said that it is better to fail in a cause that will eventually succeed than to succeed in a cause that will eventually fail. Think of the implications: We may fail in many ways, but we are working in an enterprise that is at present GOD's highest priority -- success is inevitable. "The gates of hell shall not prevail against (the church)" -- CHRIST preserves HIS church. JED
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org