Which Church Is Right For You?
Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do you say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I 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.” Then He warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
How misinterpreted these verses have been. Most of the disciples told Jesus what people were saying, but Peter told Jesus what God was saying. “You, Jesus are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” It is important to note here that Jesus told Peter he was blessed because this was revealed to him by God, and not by man. God was revealing the foundation for His church, by giving only Peter this revelation.
The very next statement made by Jesus was critical, telling Peter that he was Peter, (a man) and on this rock (the revelation given to Peter that Jesus was the Son of God) I will build my church.
This was to make it crystal clear that mere men would not build God’s church, but rather by Jesus, who was revealed to man, by God Himself.
It is very important that you really understand this, since it is the foundation of the church that God wants. God’s church is not, and will not ever be built by father Joe, brother Bill or sister Judy.
Jesus builds God’s church, through revelation given by God to man. If you understand this, then you are as blessed as Peter was.
Churches built by men tend to be religious. Religion is mans way of trying to connect back to God, when all the time God is reaching out to reconnect with mankind through Jesus. When God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, (Genesis 2:7) and man became a living being, God didn’t say, Adam you are now a Catholic, a Buddhist or a Mormon. God formed Adam (man) for a personal one-on-one relationship with Him as a Father and son, not a religion-ship with Him!
Churches built by Jesus, are centered in Jesus and the relationship originally intended by God. The Holy Spirit guides people to churches built by Jesus. Jesus is in charge of His church, not the pastor, priest, bishop or any other man. Jesus is, and rightfully should be, in charge of everything.
The word Christian means to be Christ like, as in Jesus Christ. People that label the word Christian as a religion don’t know Jesus.
So what church do you go to? Do you go to a religious church built by men, or a church built by Jesus?
Author: Ed Krusiewig
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