by Danny Russo
In Matthew 16:18, the Lord uses the possessive form “my” (of or belonging to me) in reference to His church. He also makes some strong proclamations about the church. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon his rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” His right to make this statement is very clearly spelled out in the Scripture. He is not only the owner, but He fills many roles in relation to the church. He has full authority to refer to the church as “my church,” When the winds of adversity blow against the church, rest assured the church is in good hands. It has been through many storms, and more storms are ahead, but the church will survive! May you be encouraged as you open your Bible and read the references as you go through this article.
He is the planner or architect of the church. He planned the church before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He planned from the foundation of the world to be the lamb slain for His Church (Revelation 13:8).
He is the Lamb of God, He is the purchaser of the church with His own blood John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 20:28, I Peter 1:18-21).
He is the chief cornerstone the stone at the corner of the walls that unites them; specifically, the stone built into one corner of the foundation of an edifice as the actual or nominal starting point of a building (from The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988). ‘Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, I Peter 2:6-7, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 9:33, Ephesians 2:19-22). The Stone that the builders rejected will fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:34-35, Daniel 2:44-45).
He is the sure foundation of the church (I Corinthians 3:10-11, II Timothy 2:19).
Keep your heart centered on Jesus Christ. Paul’s words in Colossians 2:6-10 are relevant for the 2nd-century church: This ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
On a more personal basis, He refers to the ones who make up His church as “My Sheep:” The Great Shepherd found us when we were lost and brought us into the fold (John 10:14-15, John 10:27-30). He is still seeking the lost. With great tenderness and compassion, He is bringing all who will answer His call into the fold (Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 119:176, Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:4-7).
His church is the bride and He is the Bridegroom. He is coming soon. May we all be ready for that Great Day (Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
