1. Matthew 16:13-20

2. Men did not understand who Jesus was. They misunderstood His identity as the Son of God Understanding is essential to obedience, and obedience is essential to salvation (Hebrews 5:8,9; John 6:44,45) We can see the tragedy of misunderstanding Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world

3. The kingdom (church) of Christ was also misunderstood - Acts 1:6 The saved are added by the Lord to the church Acts 2:47 The church and the body are the same Colossians 1:18 Christ is the Savior of the body Ephesians 5:23 It is essential that we understand what the church is and its purpose here on earth

4. THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHRIST – They thought of Jesus as just Joseph's son like any other man Matthew 13:55; Luke 3:23; John 6:42; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 – Thought of Christ as one of the prophets - John the baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah – His mission was misunderstood John 6:26; John 20:30,31

5. THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHURCH – As they thought Christ originated with man - so men today think the church originated with man – NOT: – OF Man – DESIGNED by Man – PROMISED by Man – BUILT by Man

6. THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHURCH – NOT: – OF Man - Ephesians 3:10,11 – DESIGNED by Man - Psalm 127:1 – PROMISED by Man – Matthew 16:18 – BUILT by Man - Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25 The Church is NOT of HUMAN ORIGIN in ANY RESPECT

7. THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHURCH – As they considered Christ one of many prophets - so today men consider the church one of many Ephesians 3:11; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:1-6; Colossians 1:18 The Lord’s Church is Divine in Origin! The Word of God Produces the Church – NOT the Other Way Around

8. THE MISUNDERSTOOD CHURCH – As they considered Christ's mission to be a social one – men today think the same of the mission of the church Matthew 20:28; Luke 19:10 – Some consider the church an organization through which we work for social & political reform. – Jesus Did Not Advocate this as the Purpose of His church.

9. MISSION OF CHURCH IS TO SAVE SOULS – The Church is the pillar and ground of the Truth 1 Timothy 3:15 – Since the church is the support of the truth and the truth makes men free John 8:32, it follows that the mission of the church is to save souls

10. MISSION OF CHURCH IS TO SAVE SOULS – The saving of souls is accomplished by the Lord's church working in three areas: Evangelism Edification Benevolence Ephesians 4:12

11. Jesus was a divine being with a divine mission The church is a divine institution with a divine mission Jesus is Savior of the body, the church Ephesians 5:23 and you are not in this body unless you are saved Acts 2:47