"Upon this rock, I will build my church..." Matthew 16:18

JESUS’ CHURCH vs. MAN-MADE SYSTEMS

Text: Matthew 16:18
Subtitle: Building What Christ Died For

INTRODUCTION

Saints of God, we are living in a time where the word church is used everywhere—but the power of the church is missing in too many places.

We have church buildings.
We have church services.
We have church programs.

But the question Jesus is asking in this hour is not “Where is My church meeting?”
The question is: “Where is My church living?”

???? “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18

Jesus said MY church.

Not your church.
Not my church.
Not a denomination’s church.

So this morning, we’re going to examine the difference between Jesus’ Church and man-made systems—not to condemn people, but to call God’s people back to biblical alignment.

I. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH

Jesus’ Church Is Built on Revelation

???? “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16
???? “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:11

The church Jesus builds is founded on revelation, not routine.
On truth, not tradition.

You can’t build God’s house on personality.
You can’t build God’s house on popularity.
You can’t build God’s house on programs.

Man-Made Systems Are Built on Tradition

???? “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Mark 7:7

Anything not founded on Christ will eventually collapse—no matter how big it looks.

II. OWNERSHIP: WHO DOES THE CHURCH BELONG TO?

Jesus’ Church Is Blood-Bought

???? “Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” — Acts 20:28
???? “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” — Ephesians 5:25

Jesus paid too high a price for us to treat His church like a business.

Man-Made Systems Are Man-Controlled

???? “Every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos…” — 1 Corinthians 1:12–13

When people start saying “my church” more than “His church,” something is off.

III. MEMBERSHIP: HOW DO YOU ENTER THE CHURCH?

Jesus’ Church Is Entered by New Birth

???? “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3
???? “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” — Acts 2:47

Salvation adds you to the church.
Attendance doesn’t.
Giving doesn’t.
Titles don’t.

Man-Made Systems Count Heads

???? “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” — 2 Timothy 3:5

Jesus transforms lives.
Systems manage crowds.

IV. LEADERSHIP: HOW IS THE CHURCH LED?

Jesus’ Church Is Led by Servants

???? “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.” — Mark 10:43
???? “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage.” — 1 Peter 5:3

In Jesus’ church:

• Leaders serve

• Shepherds protect

• Authority flows from example

Man-Made Systems Protect Titles

???? “They love the uppermost rooms… and greetings in the markets.” — Matthew 23:6–7

Jesus washed feet.
Systems polish platforms.

V. POWER SOURCE: WHAT MAKES THE CHURCH EFFECTIVE?

Jesus’ Church Operates by the Holy Ghost

???? “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” — Acts 1:8
???? “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” — 1 Corinthians 4:20

No Spirit—no church.
No power—no witness.

Man-Made Systems Rely on Programs

???? “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD.” — Zechariah 4:6

Programs can assist ministry, but they can never replace God’s presence.

VI. DISCIPLESHIP: WHAT DOES THE CHURCH PRODUCE?

Jesus’ Church Makes Disciples

???? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” — Matthew 28:19–20
???? “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” — John 15:8

Jesus produces followers who grow, mature, and reproduce.

Man-Made Systems Create Spectators

???? “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again…” — Hebrews 5:12

Jesus trains soldiers.
Systems entertain audiences.

VII. HOLINESS & CORRECTION

Jesus’ Church Loves Truth

???? “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16
???? “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” — 1 Corinthians 5:6

Correction is not rejection—it’s protection.

Man-Made Systems Avoid Confrontation

???? “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things.” — Isaiah 30:10

When numbers matter more than holiness, compromise moves in.

VIII. MISSION: WHY DOES THE CHURCH EXIST?

Jesus’ Church Is Sent

???? “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…” — Luke 4:18
???? Acts 2:42–47

The church doesn’t exist to entertain the saved—it exists to reach the lost.

Man-Made Systems Focus on Survival

???? “I hate, I despise your feast days…” — Amos 5:21–24

Jesus sends the church out.
Systems pull people in.

CONCLUSION: A SOBERING WARNING

???? “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” — Matthew 15:13

God is not tearing down His church—
He is purifying it.

This is not the hour to play church.
This is not the hour to protect systems.
This is the hour to return to Christ.

ALTAR CALL / CLOSING APPEAL

Let me ask you plainly:

• Are you in a system, or are you part of the Body?

• Are you attending church, or being the church?

• Is Jesus truly the Head, or has tradition taken His place?

???? “Come out of her, my people…” — Revelation 18:4

If you want to be part of what Jesus is building—not what man designed—this altar is open

Key truth: Jesus didn’t come to build an institution.
He came to build a people.

1️⃣ FOUNDATION

Jesus’ Church

• Built on revelation of who Jesus is

• The Rock = Christ revealed, not titles or traditions
  ???? Matthew 16:16–18
  ???? 1 Corinthians 3:11

????️ Man-Made Church of Systems

• Built on:

  • Denominations

  • Personal charisma

  • Traditions

  • Branding and hierarchy
    ???? Mark 7:7–9

➡️ If Christ is not the foundation, the structure will eventually crack.

2️⃣ OWNERSHIP

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Belongs to Christ

• He purchased it with His blood
  ???? Acts 20:28
  ???? Ephesians 5:25

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Controlled by:

  • Boards

  • Corporations

  • Founders

  • Donors
    ???? 1 Corinthians 1:12–13

➡️ When men own it, men control it.

3️⃣ MEMBERSHIP

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Entry through repentance and new birth
  ???? John 3:3
  ???? Acts 2:38–47

• Marked by transformation

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Entry through:

  • Signing a roll

  • Paying dues

  • Attending services
    ???? 2 Timothy 3:5

➡️ Jesus adds to the church. Systems count attendees.

4️⃣ LEADERSHIP

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Led by servant-shepherds

• Authority flows from example, not position
  ???? Mark 10:42–45
  ???? 1 Peter 5:2–3

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Ruled by:

  • Titles

  • Chains of command

  • Political maneuvering
    ???? Matthew 23:6–12

➡️ Jesus washes feet. Systems protect seats.

5️⃣ POWER SOURCE

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Operates by the Holy Spirit

• Demonstrates:

  • Power

  • Gifts

  • Conviction
    ???? Acts 1:8
    ???? 1 Corinthians 2:4

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Relies on:

  • Programs

  • Performances

  • Human strategy
    ???? Zechariah 4:6
    ???? 1 Corinthians 4:20

➡️ Programs can’t replace presence.

6️⃣ DISCIPLESHIP

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Produces disciples

• Focused on:

  • Obedience

  • Fruit

  • Multiplication
    ???? Matthew 28:19–20
    ???? John 15:8

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Produces:

  • Spectators

  • Consumers

  • Dependence on clergy
    ???? Hebrews 5:12

➡️ Jesus trains soldiers. Systems entertain crowds.

7️⃣ CORRECTION & HOLINESS

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Practices loving correction

• Guards holiness
  ???? Matthew 18:15–17
  ???? 1 Corinthians 5:6–7

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Avoids correction to:

  • Keep numbers

  • Protect reputation
    ???? Isaiah 30:10
    ???? Revelation 3:15–17

➡️ Truth is sacrificed when growth becomes the god.

8️⃣ MISSION

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Sent to:

  • Preach the Gospel

  • Heal the broken

  • Make disciples
    ???? Luke 4:18
    ???? Acts 2:42–47

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Focused on:

  • Survival

  • Expansion

  • Image management
    ???? Amos 5:21–24

➡️ Jesus sends the church out. Systems pull people in.

9️⃣ UNITY

✝️ Jesus’ Church

• Unified by:

  • Truth

  • Love

  • The Spirit
    ???? John 17:21
    ???? Ephesians 4:3–6

????️ Man-Made Systems

• Divided by:

  • Labels

  • Doctrines of men

  • Competition
    ???? 1 Corinthians 3:3–4

➡️ The Spirit unites. Pride divides.

???? FINAL WARNING & HOPE

???? “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” — Matthew 15:13

Jesus is purifying His church, not abandoning it.

❓ The Real Question

Are we:

• Building what Jesus died for?

• Or maintaining what man designed?