HOW GOD BUILDS HIS CHURCH
Mt. 16:13-19
Mt 16:18 “. . . on this rock I will build my church . . .”
Purpose:	To learn how to be used by God to build His church.
Introduction:
	1.	How does God build His church? Some possible answers:
		a.	It is a secret unknown to us.
		b.	We cannot know, for God’s ways are beyond discovery.
		c.	Since it is up to Him to do the building, it may be unimportant for us to know.
	2.	Is there any way we can tell when God is building His church?
		a.	When people accept Christ.
		b.	When church statistics increase.
		c.	When spiritual progress is evident.
		d.	When revived spirits and renewed attitudes are present.
	3.	God’s ways of building a church are no secret; neither are they secluded from 				human eyes.
	4.	No, God has not hidden how He builds His church.
	5.	He builds “upon this rock.”
I.	God has chosen to use us humans.
	A.	What does “upon this rock” mean?
		1.	One large segment of Christianity claims that Peter was their first leader.
			a.	When Jesus said, “Upon this rock,” they believe that Jesus referred to 					Peter.
			b.	Thus, Peter became the first human leader of the Church.
		2.	Others say, “No, Jesus meant the church would be built upon Peter’s confession: 			“You are the Lord, the Son of the living God”.
		3.	Both are right. 	Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God becomes a 				building block in God’s Church.
	B.	God has chosen to use us to build His church.
		1.	The way God builds His church is no secret.
		2.	He wants us to be His hands and feet.
		3.	So we are His instruments to build His church.
		4.	The thrust of the scripture is, “upon committed, forgiven, and believing workers  			I will build my church.”
II.	Jesus knew the importance of workers.
	A.	Jesus faced an inadequate number of personnel.
		1.	“The harvest is great, and the workers are so few.”
		2.	He saw both the potential and the limitations.
		3.	What did He do?
	B.	He recruited twelve unlikely characters.
		1.	Men from various walks of life.
		2.	They were probably the best people available.
		3.	Others would not give the time or be content with the training offered by Jesus.
		#Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were hardly people who would submit to training.
III.	Jesus trained workers
	A.	Jesus’ relationship with His disciples produced character.
		1.	Jesus coupled His teaching on the new covenant with on-the-job training.
		2.	This illustrates His intention of having a sustained ministry after His departure.
		3.	Jesus’ methods and message always centered on people.
		4.	He affirmed positive character qualities in His disciples.
		#Jesus complimented Nathaniel on openness and integrity and thus shaped his self-			concept.
		5.	He did not hesitate to point out glaring weaknesses.
		#Jesus personally ministered to Peter after Peter denied Him.  He gave extra time to the 			denier saying, “Do you love me?”  Peter testified that he really did love Jesus.  He was 			given immediate responsibility—sheep feeding.  For Christ to give Peter a task signified 			His approval of the man.
	B.	The content of Jesus’ teachings to the disciples.
		1.	The prominent theme was the kingdom of God.
		2.	The disciples’ inability to understand the gospel was related, not to intellectual 				incompetency, but to little faith.
		3.	Jesus kept His purpose before the disciples.
		4.	Jesus checked on the disciples to see where they were.
			a.	He would ask them questions.
			b.	He would test their understanding.
		5.	Jesus stressed the application, i.e. how they would live life in the new kingdom.
	C.	Jesus’ teaching of His disciples was through relational experiences.
		1.	Jesus spent time with them.  That was His invitation to them--to be “with Him.”
		2.	Jesus made sure they were party to His encounters with unbelievers.
		3.	Jesus did not protect His disciples from the cancerous church leaders of the day.
		4.	He defended His followers.
		5.	Jesus’ relationship with His disciples was a mixture of scolding and 					complimenting.
		6.	Jesus revealed Himself to the twelve.
		7.	Jesus ministered to the whole person.
			a.	The emotional well-being of the disciples received attention.
			b.	He was sensitive to their fears.
			c.	He prepared them for His death.
			d.	He warned them about duplicity in spiritual leaders.
		8.	The significance of the teacher – disciple relationship is observed in  					moments of reflection.
		#Judas admitted his guilt.
		#Peter wept with deep remorse after his denial of Christ.
	D.	Transferring leadership to the disciples.
		1.	He gave them their first assignment to witness.
		2.	He gave them the authority to carry out the job.
		3.	He delegated the responsibility for the triumphant entry to His disciples.
		4.	Jesus gradually turned over the reins of leadership.
Conclusion:
	1.	Jesus selected men to undergo the training process.
	2.	Character development was a fundamental part of what Jesus conveyed to His 				followers.
	3.	Life experiences became the classroom.
	4.	He prepared these men to accept His commission of discipling all people.
	5.	We must do the same.
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