Skip to main content
Back to Walking by Faith

Sermon Notes

The Church that Jesus Built

Sunday 4 July 2021 Pastor Craig Ledbetter Matthew 16:18
Download Audio

I. Introduction (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.”

A. Jesus Said “I Will Build MY Church”

  1. It’s His church, not ours
  2. He builds it His way
  3. It belongs to Him

B. The Church is Important

  1. Christ died for it (Ephesians 5:25)
  2. Christ loves it
  3. Christ is the head of it

II. What the Church Is NOT

A. Not a Building

  1. The building is where the church meets
  2. But the church is the people
  3. You can’t go to a church; you ARE the church

B. Not a Denomination

  1. Not Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox
  2. Not a man-made organization
  3. Not defined by human traditions

C. Not Just Any Gathering

  1. Not a social club
  2. Not a political organization
  3. Not entertainment

III. What the Church IS

A. The Local Assembly of Believers

  1. Called out ones (ekklesia)
  2. Gathered together
  3. In a specific location

B. Built on the Right Foundation

  1. Jesus Christ is the rock
  2. Not Peter personally
  3. The confession that Jesus is the Christ

C. Organized According to Scripture

  1. With pastors and deacons
  2. With clear doctrine
  3. With proper order

IV. The Marks of a True Church

A. Sound Doctrine

  1. Preaching the whole Bible
  2. Holding to the fundamentals
  3. Not compromising truth

B. Proper Ordinances

  1. Baptism by immersion
  2. Lord’s Supper regularly observed
  3. As Christ commanded

C. Biblical Leadership

  1. Qualified pastors (1 Timothy 3)
  2. Qualified deacons
  3. Accountable to Scripture

D. Active Mission

  1. Evangelism locally
  2. Missions globally
  3. Making disciples

V. Your Responsibility to the Church

A. Join One

  1. Find a Bible-believing church
  2. Commit yourself to it
  3. Make it your spiritual home

B. Attend Faithfully

  1. Hebrews 10:25 - Don’t forsake assembling
  2. Be there consistently
  3. Make it a priority

C. Serve Actively

  1. Use your gifts
  2. Help where needed
  3. Be part of the body

D. Give Generously

  1. Support the ministry financially
  2. Give your time
  3. Give your talents

Conclusion

Jesus built His church. Don’t neglect it. Find your place in a local assembly of believers and be faithful to it.

Back to Walking by Faith All Sermon Series Resources