OF THE NATIONS FOR THE NATIONS TO THE

OF THE NATIONS – FOR THE NATIONS – TO THE NATIONS Gene Bassham Ambassador For Christ Serving As Teacher Message The Jesus Built Church

The Jesus Built Church Jesus is in the Church building business Jesus said ------ “-----I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ” Matthew 16: 18 Building the Church is not building a building People buildings – Jesus Christ builds the Church

The Church is the Body of Christ which Jesus Christ is the Head of! • The Head • The Body “And he is the head of the body, the church: ------” (Colossians 12: 18) The Head gives directions and the Body follows the directions

The Head of the Church Position and Responsibility • Only One (1) Head – Jesus Christ • Gives direction to the Body • Builds the Church (body)

The Body of Christ is the Church Position and Responsibility • Continue the Work of Christ in the earth! • Follow the directions of the Head! • As laid out in scripture • As led by the Holy Spirit which will be in line with the written scriptures.

The Jesus Built Church has a Two Fold Responsibility THE BODY AND THE HEAD WORKING TOGETHER 1. The Head (Jesus) builds the Church (Matthew 16: 18) 2. The Body (Church) plants, waters, grows and edifies itself in love (1 Corinthians 3: 6&7) (Ephesians 4: 16)

The Jesus Built Church is to exercise authority in the earth! Jesus is the Church Builder Jesus exercises His authority in the earth through the Church to carry on the work of the Church! “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ” Matthew 16: 19 Binding (forbidding) and Loosing (permitting) Matthew 28: 18 says --- “All authority has been given in Me in heaven and on earth. ” Here he begins the transfer of authority

Three Concepts to consider - we must understand the differences BEING – GOING - BUILDING 1. Being the Church! 2. Going to Church! 3. Building the Church They are not the same Understand who is responsible and take responsibility for your part as one of the Body parts People can building without Jesus BUT Jesus will not build The Church without people!

Being the Church Not just going to Church but Being the Church • • Who Christians are Doing what Jesus said to do The Head gives directions and the Body follows directions

Two Primary ways to be the Church • Accept Jesus as your savior • A one time experience • Make Jesus Lord of your life • A life long journey

Going to Church Not just going to Church but being the Church • The Universal Church • All Born again Christians on planet • • The • • • earth All the local Churches Local Church Christians who meet together in a local area Not a building but the people who meet in the building The local Church is the people – not the building Going to Church is going to meet with God’s people

Build The Church Jesus is the one who Builds to the Church • • • Jesus commissioned the Church Jesus adds to the Church Jesus gives direction to the Church The Head gives directions and the Body follows directions NOW! This is the Jesus Built Church

Basic understandings of The Church 1. Who is the Church? 2. Where is the Church? 3. What is the Purpose of the Church?

Who is The Church? The Body of Christ • Made up of many parts • Many parts with different functions Team Work is The Key!

Where is The Church? Planet Earth • Not a building • Where Christians are Christians meeting together is not an option but a requirement!

What is the purpose of The Church? Establish The Kingdom of God in Planet Earth • Establish The Kingdom of God • Occupy until Jesus Christ returns

The Key to what the Church is to be doing is found in what I call ---- • • Forty (40) days of instruction The obedience of the 120 The suddenly in the Upper Room Changed and empowered men changing their world

What Jesus said after His resurrection before His ascension gives us a foundational understanding of what the Church is supposed to be doing

Transfer of Authority to The Church 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Matthew 4: 19 Matthew 28: 18 -20 Mark 1615 -20 Luke 24: 49 John 20: 22 Acts 1: 8 Acts 2: 1 -4 Acts 2: 14 “But Peter standing up with the eleven, raised his voice ----”

Conclusion: • Life Applications • Call to commitment • Minister as the Holy Spirit leads

A Healthy Church should be made up of Four categories of people • • Thinkers Movers Servers Shakers TEAM WORK! When they get together something really great can happens!