Building the Church on Christ's Revelation and Principles

Devotional

Day 1: Revelation of Christ in Our Hearts

True Christianity is not merely about intellectual agreement with doctrines but about a profound revelation of Christ in our hearts. This revelation is transformative, leading to a life that increasingly mirrors the image of Christ. It is the foundation upon which the church is built, as it is not just Peter's confession but the revelation of Christ that transforms lives. This understanding is not achieved through human wisdom but is revealed by the Holy Spirit, leading to a personal and deep relationship with Jesus as the Son of the Living God. [01:36]

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Christ in your heart today, and what steps can you take to deepen this revelation in your daily life?

Day 2: The Danger of Hypocrisy

A significant danger for many Christians is holding to a form of godliness without its power. This form is characterized by outward conformity to religious practices without an inward transformation. True godliness is seen in a life centered on God rather than self, involving a daily dying to self where choices reflect God's interests. The power of godliness is not in external rituals but in an inward transformation that aligns one's life with God's will and purposes. [28:51]

"Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:5-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life might you be holding to a form of godliness without experiencing its true power? How can you seek genuine transformation in these areas?

Day 3: Taking Up the Cross

The call to take up the cross is about a fundamental shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. This involves making daily choices that reflect God's interests above our own, leading to true discipleship. Taking up the cross is not just about enduring hardships but about a complete reorientation of one's life focus, where God's purposes take precedence over personal desires. This shift is the essence of true discipleship and the foundation upon which the church is built. [13:16]

"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?'" (Luke 9:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can shift your focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness today? What practical steps can you take to make this shift?

Day 4: Living by Jesus' Principles

A life that reflects the principles by which Jesus lived is evidence of Christ being revealed in our hearts. This involves self-denial, seeking God's interests, and living by the principles of the cross. Such a life is marked by a commitment to embodying the values and teachings of Jesus, leading to a transformation that aligns one's actions and decisions with the example set by Christ. [06:14]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:3-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the principles of self-denial and seeking God's interests into your daily routine? What changes can you make to ensure your life reflects the principles by which Jesus lived?

Day 5: Building the True Church

The true church is composed of individuals who have seen Christ in their hearts and are committed to living by His principles. This church is built on the revelation of Christ and is unshakeable by the powers of darkness. It is not about adhering to doctrines or being part of a community with the best teachings but about having Christ revealed in our hearts, leading to a life increasingly conformed to His image. [11:24]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to building the true church in your community? What role can you play in ensuring that the church is built on the revelation of Christ and remains unshakeable by the powers of darkness?

Sermon Summary

In Matthew 16, Jesus introduces the concept of the church, not as a mere gathering of people, but as a community built on the revelation of Christ in our hearts. This revelation is not just intellectual knowledge but a deep, personal understanding of Jesus as the Son of the Living God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. This foundational truth is what Jesus refers to when He tells Peter, "Upon this rock, I will build my church." The rock is not just Peter's confession but the revelation of Christ that transforms lives.

The essence of being part of the church is not about adhering to doctrines or being part of a community with the best teachings. It's about having Christ revealed in our hearts, which leads to a life increasingly conformed to His image. This transformation is evidenced by a life that reflects the principles by which Jesus lived—principles of self-denial, taking up the cross, and seeking God's interests above our own. The true church is composed of individuals who have seen Christ in their hearts and are committed to living by His principles daily.

The challenge for many Christians today is the danger of hypocrisy—holding to a form of godliness without the power thereof. This form is characterized by outward conformity to religious practices without an inward transformation. The true power of godliness is seen in a life that is centered on God rather than self. This involves a daily dying to self, where our choices reflect God's interests rather than our own.

The call to take up the cross is not just about enduring hardships but about a fundamental shift in our life's focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. This shift is the essence of true discipleship and the foundation upon which the church is built. As we embrace this call, we become part of the true church that Jesus is building—a church that the gates of hell cannot prevail against.

Key Takeaways

1. centeredness to God-centeredness. This involves daily choices that reflect God's interests above our own, leading to true discipleship. [13:16]
4. Living by Jesus' Principles: A life that reflects the principles by which Jesus lived is evidence of Christ being revealed in our hearts. This involves self-denial, seeking God's interests, and living by the principles of the cross.

5. Building the True Church: The true church is composed of individuals who have seen Christ in their hearts and are committed to living by His principles. This church is built on the revelation of Christ and is unshakeable by the powers of darkness.

** [13:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Introduction to Matthew 16
[01:00] - Peter's Confession and the Rock
[01:36] - Revelation of Christ in Our Hearts
[02:28] - Paul's Revelation of Christ
[03:07] - Knowing Jesus Personally
[04:09] - The Danger of Intellectual Christianity
[05:57] - Seeing Jesus in Our Hearts
[06:49] - Building the Church on Revelation
[07:46] - The Church Within the Church
[08:37] - Hypocrisy vs. True Christianity
[10:10] - Beware of the Pharisees' Leaven
[12:24] - The Cross and the Church
[13:16] - Taking Up the Cross Daily
[14:57] - The True Gospel Message
[16:47] - Worshiping God vs. Worshiping Self
[18:39] - The Lord's Rebuke and Love
[20:24] - Seeking God's Interests
[22:45] - Jesus' Life as Our Model
[25:31] - The Life of Jesus Revealed
[28:51] - The Danger of Hypocrisy
[30:58] - Form of Godliness vs. Power
[33:55] - Lovers of Pleasure vs. Lovers of God
[36:07] - Self-Centered vs. God-Centered Life
[39:12] - Jesus' Life as the Perfect Model
[43:21] - Building the Church and Taking Up the Cross
[47:03] - Transformation from Glory to Glory
[51:06] - Moving Towards Christlikeness
[54:32] - God's Interest and Our Purpose
[59:33] - Each Part's Role in the Body of Christ
[62:36] - Being Part of the Inner Core
[67:10] - Stumbling Blocks in the Church
[68:14] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Matthew 16:16-18
Galatians 1:15-16
2 Timothy 3:1-5

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Observation Questions:

In Matthew 16:16-18, what is the significance of Peter's confession about Jesus, and how does it relate to the foundation of the church? [01:00]
According to Galatians 1:15-16, how did Paul describe the revelation of Jesus Christ to him, and why is this important for understanding true faith? [02:28]
What does 2 Timothy 3:1-5 warn about the characteristics of people in the last days, and how does this relate to the danger of hypocrisy mentioned in the sermon? [28:51]
How does the sermon describe the difference between outward conformity to religious practices and inward transformation? [04:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the revelation of Christ in one's heart differ from merely knowing about Jesus intellectually, according to the sermon? [03:07]
What does it mean to take up the cross daily, and how does this concept challenge modern Christian living? [13:16]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that hypocrisy can be a stumbling block to true discipleship? [09:38]
How does the sermon interpret the relationship between self-centeredness and God-centeredness in the life of a believer? [36:07]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your personal understanding of Jesus. Is it based more on intellectual knowledge or a revelation in your heart? How can you seek a deeper revelation of Christ this week? [03:07]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of taking up the cross daily. What specific area of your life requires a shift from self-centeredness to God-centeredness? [13:16]
Consider the warning against hypocrisy. Are there areas in your life where you might be conforming outwardly but lacking inward transformation? How can you address this? [28:51]
How can you actively seek God's interests above your own in your daily decisions? Identify one decision you will face this week and plan how you will prioritize God's interests in it. [22:29]
The sermon discusses the danger of holding to a form of godliness without its power. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a form but is empowered by the Holy Spirit? [28:51]
Reflect on the concept of building the true church. How can you contribute to a community that is built on the revelation of Christ and is unshakeable by the powers of darkness? [11:24]
Identify one practical step you can take this week to live by the principles of self-denial and seeking God's interests, as modeled by Jesus. [06:14]

Sermon Clips

In Matthew 16 verse 18 he said to Peter upon this rock I will build my church and what was that rock what Peter had just confessed in verse 16 you are the Christ the Son of the Living God that was the rock Peter just said while others are saying that your verse 14 Elijah Jeremiah John the Baptist and but we know you're the Christ the Son of the Living God. [00:49:04]

Paul also said in Galatians 1 that it pleased God to reveal his son to me it's very certain that we have built our life not just on Jesus Christ we've heard about but on a Jesus Christ has been revealed to our heart by the Holy Spirit and there's a lot of difference in that. [00:01:37]

When Christ is revealed in a heart one proof of it is we become increasingly like Christ year by year and we see more and more of our unlike mr. Christ and judge ourselves and cleanse ourselves and it's very very easy to esteem and value others but it's so easy for us to deceive ourselves in this area. [00:04:46]

It's very easy for us to not see that kid so on this rock Christ revealed in my heart I will build my church and I believe that it's only those who have seen Christ reveal in their heart who really come together and form the church and I've seen in in every CFC church there's a church within the church. [00:06:53]

They conform to the outward form but in the middle of this group called the church or CFC or NGO there are some who like Peter and Paul have seen Jesus in their heart and I've seen how he lived and why he lived like that and I gripped by that and he doesn't matter one bit what other people think about them. [00:07:40]

The call to take up the cross is not just about enduring hardships but about a fundamental shift in our life's focus from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. This shift is the essence of true discipleship and the foundation upon which the church is built. As we embrace this call, we become part of the true church that Jesus is building. [00:13:16]

What is the message Jesus brought but you have to die to yourself every day and take up your cross every day that's what nobody wants that's what proves to be the best the real gospel and that's why they killed him. [00:15:08]

To worship Satan is to set your mind on man's interests not God's interests that's what made Eve eat of that tree which got it forbidden God's interest was don't touch it man's interest was heat it doesn't matter God is forbidden it and the Lord taught you the same thing you're setting your mind on man's interests not God's interests. [00:17:23]

The man who does not take up the cross is the one who said his mind is basically on his own interests occasionally he thinks about God's interests but he doesn't feel it's a life around us always see God's interest is not possible that's how Jesus lived but I can't live like that. [00:22:45]

The true church is composed of individuals who have seen Christ in their hearts and are committed to living by His principles. This church is built on the revelation of Christ and is unshakeable by the powers of darkness. [00:11:24]

The essence of being part of the church is not about adhering to doctrines or being part of a community with the best teachings. It's about having Christ revealed in our hearts, which leads to a life increasingly conformed to His image. This transformation is evidenced by a life that reflects the principles by which Jesus lived. [00:01:36]

The danger of hypocrisy—holding to a form of godliness without the power thereof. This form is characterized by outward conformity to religious practices without an inward transformation. The true power of godliness is seen in a life that is centered on God rather than self. [00:28:51]

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Building the Church on Christ's Revelation and Principles

Devotional

Day 1: Revelation of Christ in Our Hearts

Day 2: The Danger of Hypocrisy

Day 3: Taking Up the Cross

Day 4: Living by Jesus' Principles

Day 5: Building the True Church

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Building the Church on Christ's Revelation and Principles

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