I will build my church
First Lesson: The foundation
( These seven lessons were written by Rev. Jerry Derman, senior pastor of Rock Anaheim Church, specifically for the vision of the home church)
Welcome to Lesson One of the Jesus’ Church group study! The truths covered in these seven lessons are more than informational. Jesus intended them to be transformational—not only to transform us but also to transform the world. Today’s lesson is called “The Foundation.” Before we begin, let’s pray and ask God to transform us through this lesson and the whole study.
The Church Must Be Built
Let’s open our Bibles to Matthew 16 and read a powerful portion of Scripture.
Matthew 16:13–18 (ESV) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Notice five words in the middle of verse 18. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” This tells us that Jesus’ Church did not come fully assembled. In fact, it didn’t even come with all the pieces. The pieces are scattered throughout the world. So when Jesus said, “I will build My church,” He was making a commitment to find all of the pieces— everyone who would accept His love and sacrifice—and to assemble them together to be His Church.
The Church Is People
The English New Testament uses the word “church” to translate the Greek word ekklesia (ek-klay-see’-ah). The word ekklesia means “an assembly of people.” Ekklesia is derived from two Greek words, ek meaning “out from” and kaleo meaning “to call.” Originally, “the ones called out” referred to the legislative body of the Greek republic that was led by citizens who were called out from their communities to serve their country. Today, when we refer to a session of state government, such as a state assembly, we are using the word “assembly” in the same way the Greeks used the word ekklesia.. . . . .
Interestingly, the word “church” in the New Testament is never used to describe a building; it is only used to describe an assembly of people. For example, the apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 4:15, “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” Nympha’s house was not the church, but she welcomed a gathering of the church (people) to meet in her house.
The Church Belongs to Jesus
Now let’s put things in perspective. The Church belongs to Jesus. He’s not an elected leader of the Church. He’s not the Church’s CEO or chairman of the board. The Church belongs to Him. How so? Let’s start from the beginning. Without Jesus, the earth and mankind would not exist. John 1:3 says, “All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created” (CSB). God created Adam in His own image and told him that he could eat anything his heart desired except the fruit on one particular tree. God warned Adam that if he ever disobeyed and ate from that tree, he would surely die.
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