I will Build My Church...

Reflect

On August 1st, 2016, Adriana and I began pastoring in this church. We had heard stories, horror stories, of pastoral ministry. Bishop, Pastor Couch was our pastor for 4 years by this point and we had come to love this congregation. We began our ministry and within the first few months we had the water pipe burst in the yard. I remember digging and thinking, “welcome to pastoral ministry” with mud and dirt everywhere.

But we very quickly found that many of the complaints from other pastors were just not happening here. We had support from the members, we had mentorship from the retired pastor, there was peace in the body. We had amazing leaders who were committed to following the Holy Spirit.

My first Sunday was from the book of Haggai. I preached on the word of the Lord from the prophet Haggai, that the people had focused too much on their own comfortability; too much on their own interests and satisfaction. Over the last seven years, overwhelmingly, this church has put a focus on God’s place in their heart, you have served this community, and you have loved what God loves. I am so proud of this congregation.

Especially our older congregation. You took a young pastor at 33 years old and supported my ministering to you and alongside you here, in this place. Thank you for overlooking my flaws and allowing us to honor God together without bickering or fighting.

I want us to enjoy God’s word together - can we do that?

Open with me to Matthew 16.

Volunteer to read Matthew 16:13-14

Matthew 16:13–14 NKJV

13 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?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 16:13–14 RVR60

13 Viniendo Jesús a la región de Cesarea de Filipo, preguntó a sus discípulos, diciendo: ¿Quién dicen los hombres que es el Hijo del Hombre? 14 Ellos dijeron: Unos, Juan el Bautista; otros, Elías; y otros, Jeremías, o alguno de los profetas.

This was a very important question that had to be answered before they could continue on this journey with Jesus. They answered with the rumors and guesses that had been circulating. You have heard people say Jesus was what?

A great teacher

A prophet

The son of God

A miracle worker

A false prophet

Crazy

Then Jesus turns the question the same way it must be turned for you and I this morning:

Volunteer to read Matthew 16:15

Matthew 16:15 NKJV

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:15 RVR60

15 El les dijo: Y vosotros, ¿quién decís que soy yo?

What others believe about Jesus will not save you. What others believe about Jesus will not save you.

Jesus asked, “Who do YOU say that I am?

Who am I to you? That is personal. That is a direct connection. It is not, “Pray for me brother” where a third party is involved. This is direct. Jesus is asking you, WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

The rest of your life and eternity rests on your answer.

If you answer, “limited”, you will live a limited life. If you answer “All Powerful”, then you will live a life in the arms of the “All Powerful” and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

If you believe He is not God, than you do not believe He has the authority to save you from your sin. But if you believe He is Alpha and Omega, that He is Beginning and End, that He is the only one worthy of praise. If you believe He has conquered death and the grave, it changes how you live. Let’s look at how Peter answers Jesus

Matthew 16:16 NKJV

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16 RVR60

16 Respondiendo Simón Pedro, dijo: Tú eres el Cristo, el Hijo del Dios viviente.

Matthew 16:17–18 NKJV

17 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. 18 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.

Matthew 16:17–18 RVR60

17 Entonces le respondió Jesús: Bienaventurado eres, Simón, hijo de Jonás, porque no te lo reveló carne ni sangre, sino mi Padre que está en los cielos. 18 Y yo también te digo, que tú eres Pedro, y sobre esta roca edificaré mi iglesia; y las puertas del Hades no prevalecerán contra ella.

If the head of the church is Jesus, then His presence will flow through the body. If the body chooses to reject Jesus, that is not His church. He is building His church. You are His church and He is with you and in you.

God gave you something for the rest of the body. God gave others something you need. This is why we meet regularly together.

My prayer for you is that you will get to know Jesus more and more - it will mean everything as you go through the valley of the shadow of death.

I pray you recognize Jesus is the head of this church and He is building this church into a people ready for the return of the Lord.

He gets the glory. He gets the honor. He gets all the praise. He is faithful!!!!!

Tu Fidelidad.