Being The Church

Title of today’s message: Being the church

Today’s message is centered around the key passage found in Matthew 16:13-18. You may want to turn there, as we’ll get there in a minute or so.

We are going to consider three amazing facts today:

Importance, purpose, and structure of the church and the role CPC has

Key elements of a healthy church

Church leadership

Importance, purpose and structure of the church

When we speak of the church in today’s context, I’d like to mention that there are two aspects to consider when we say “the church”.

In examining those two aspects, I am referring to the ekklesia, which in the Greek means “the called out ones”.

There is:

The universal church

The local church

Today’s message centers around the ekklesia of the local church, here on out referred to as “the church”.

Are ya with me so far?

This passage is found in 3 of the gospels.

We will look at Matthew’s passage, but the gospels of Mark and Luke also record it, and those are worth looking at when you go back and reflect on today’s word.

Did y’all catch that? In the sales world that is called an “assumptive close”

I’m assuming you will go back and reflect on today’s word!

Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.

Matthew 16:13–18 “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

In all forthrightness, I tried to find a version of this passage that sort of skipped over or re-named Caesarea Philippi, because I didn’t want to fumble through it! No luck, they all had “Caesarea Philippi”. Everybody knows that should be pronounced Kay-sa-ree-uh fe-lip-e

Speaking of trying to stretch out a sermon…Someone actually had the audacity to claim the reason I get choked up during some sermons is to make the sermon longer!!! I’m not naming any names (Johan), but that is completely inaccurate, (Johan), and I’m hurt that you would even say such a callused thing, (Johan)

As we look into this passage today, please realize this just highlights a few verses about “the church”.

As a reference you may want to write down these verses:

Romans 16:16 as well as ...”all the assemblies of Christ...”

1 Thessalonians 1:1 “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 1:11 “saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia...

Many of the epistles are written to “the church”, the assemblies or bodies of people that form “the church”.

Here’s what I want to point out that this passage in Matthew establishes.

Jesus establishes and builds “the church”.

I will build MY church.

I trust you have NEVER heard to me refer to CPC as my church!

I may say “our church”, meaning Jesus, yours and mine here at CPC.

Let there be no doubt, it is about Jesus!

Jesus establishes and builds “the church”. Not a past tense “established and built”, but rather present tense “establishes and builds”...

Jesus has a plan for His church

I will build my church.

Jesus said it and I believe it, and that plan is revealed in other scripture.

“The church” belongs to Jesus

I will build MY church- removing any question or confusion

Lastly,

Jesus will protect “the church”.

“and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

(Repeat 4 above points)

Everything regarding “the church” belongs to Jesus!

The cornerstone of the structure of “the church” is unity.

Look at:

Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

-ask others “what does your bible say”-

just replace “body” with “church”, as it is easy to understand how critical UNITY is in “the church”.