WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?

Part 3 – The Cornerstone and the Authority of the Church

Primary Text: Matthew 16:13–20

Supporting Texts: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 18:2, 31; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16;

Matthew 21:42; Matthew 28:16–20; John 14:6; Acts 4:10–12; 1 Corinthians 3:11;

Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:5

INTRODUCTION

Jesus asked two questions that still confront every generation:

1) Who do people say that I am?

2) Who do YOU say that I am?

This was not a question of public opinion, but a question of personal conviction.

Christianity is not about knowing facts about Jesus; it is about knowing Jesus personally.

Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—was not revealed by human reasoning, but by God Himself.

I. HUMAN CATEGORIES ARE INADEQUATE

People tried to define Jesus using the highest categories they knew:

• John the Baptist

• Elijah

• Jeremiah

• One of the prophets

These were compliments, but they were not enough.

There are no human categories sufficient to fully describe Jesus Christ.

Christianity never consists of secondhand faith.

Jesus still asks: “Who do YOU say that I am?”

II. JESUS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE CHURCH

Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build My church.”

Biblical understanding shows the rock is not Peter, but Christ Himself.

Peter (petros) means a stone.

Jesus (petra) is the massive foundation rock.

Scripture confirms this truth:

• Jesus is the Rock (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:2)

• Jesus is the rejected Cornerstone (Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42)

• Jesus is the only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11)

• Jesus is the Cornerstone of the church (Eph. 2:20)

If the cornerstone is right, the building stands.

If the cornerstone is wrong, nothing else can fix it later.

III. WHY THE CORNERSTONE MATTERS

In biblical times, the cornerstone was laid first.

Every measurement, wall, and angle aligned with it.

When Jesus is only an add-on, life becomes unstable.

When Jesus is the foundation, everything lines up.

The real question is not:

“Is Jesus in your life?”

But:

“Is Jesus what your life is built on?”

IV. THE CHURCH ADVANCES AGAINST THE GATES OF HELL

Jesus declared that the gates of hell would not prevail.

Gates are defensive, not offensive.

The church is not called to retreat, but to advance.

Hell resists because the church threatens its kingdom.

Victory belongs to Christ and His church.

V. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CORNERSTONE IS REMOVED

When churches remove Jesus to become more palatable to culture, a shift occurs:

1. Moral confusion replaces moral clarity

2. The gospel becomes self-help instead of salvation

3. Discipleship is replaced by membership

4. The church loses its prophetic voice

5. Identity is shaped by culture instead of Christ

6. Spiritual power is replaced with programming

Programs can gather people.

Only Christ can transform lives.

VI. BINDING, LOOSING, AND THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

Binding and loosing were rabbinic terms meaning to permit or forbid based on God’s law.

Jesus, the true interpreter of God’s truth, entrusted this authority to His apostles.

This authority was not limited to Peter, but extended to all the disciples.

The keys of the kingdom represent gospel authority:

• Opening access to the kingdom through Christ

• Declaring forgiveness to those who repent and believe

• Declaring judgment to those who reject the gospel

The church does not control heaven.

Heaven confirms what is declared in alignment with Christ.

VII. WHY AUTHORITY FAILS WITHOUT THE CORNERSTONE

Authority flows from confession, not institution.

Keys only work with the owner’s authority.

Binding and loosing require alignment with heaven.

Without Jesus as cornerstone:

• There may be activity without authority

• Growth without transformation

• Influence without anointing

You cannot exercise Christ’s authority while rejecting Christ’s lordship.

VIII. THE HOPE OF RESTORATION

This is not about perfection, but submission.

When churches repent and realign with Christ:

• Authority is restored

• Power returns

• Clarity replaces confusion

Jesus restores alignment when He is returned to His rightful place.

CONCLUSION: WHO IS JESUS?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

He is:

• The Founder of the church

• The Foundation of the church

• The Focus of the church

Remove Jesus, and everything collapses.

Keep Jesus as the cornerstone, and nothing hell brings will prevail.

FINAL QUESTION

Who do YOU say Jesus is?