Will the Real Church Please STAND UP!

Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? Matt. 16:13-16

Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do men say that I am?  They responded with different answers, but Peter said, "Thou art the Christ - the Son of the Living God."  Jesus said, "Flesh and blood did not reveal that to you."  Jesus went on to say "Upon this rock, I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."  The foundation on which His Church would be built is the Revelation of Who He is - to those who know His true identity.

He was talking about true believers: with the strength of so many, so powerful, that the all the power/demons from hell will not prevail against it.  The works of darkness will never defeat those who “know” Him!

You either build your house on a rock, or on sand. On Christ, The Solid Rock I Stand; All Other Ground is Sinking Sand.  

It is said, "Only what we build for Christ will last. But I say, "Only what we build ON Christ will last.  On what foundation are you building?
A “house of lively stones” - new believers - a harvest of souls! Everything else will burn! The only thing we will have left to show for our lives are the fruit that is borne of our ministry; true worshippers - mature Sons - who have His Spirit and know The Truth!  We build on the revelation of The Father that Jesus is the Son of God!  And we are being conformed to His image are being revealed in this hour! 

The Church - Organization or Organism? 

Jesus refers to His House as being built with “lively stones”. He says His House shall be called a “house of prayer”!  

The Church is NOT an organization; it is a living, breathing organism!  It is submitted completely and totally to Jesus Christ, and it is led solely by His Spirit. Jesus has the pre-eminence and He ALONE is glorified.  Everything we do is by His power and for His glory.  No flesh shall glory in His sight!  Those who are led by the Spirit of God, those He gave the right to be called Children (Sons) of God.

In OT, the Temple was the house of God. It was a brick and mortar building. It was “a type and shadow”. In NT in Christ’s Blood, WE are the temple of God. WE are the House of God!  Jesus is not coming back for an organization.  He is coming back for His Church - His  Bride, without spot or wrinkle!  The Bride must not only make herself ready; first, she has to recognize who she is and then stand in her position in the Kingdom of God. 

Religion or Relationship?

We have been "playing Church" for far too long!  It's time for a SHIFT!  Out of religion and into relationship.  Everything the Church does must be done out of relationship with Jesus, NOT religious practice and tradition.  In other words, it's not the traditions of men (works of men), but a real relationship where there is two-way communication; submission to His Lordship (He is Lord - has final say over every area of our lives); there is direction by The Holy Spirit - not self-directed independence; there is holy and right living, joy and peace (a demonstration of the Kingdom of God in our lives); and there is fruit (The Holy Spirit Gal. 5:22).  These are the characteristics that should be evident in the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

#RelationshipNotReligion