Untitled Sermon

Matthew 18:19–20 ESV

19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

LET’S STAY TOGETHER ()

’

S STAY TOGETHER ()

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am

I in

the midst of them.

”

Surely my Brothers and Sisters, these are the most

beautiful and encouraging words in the Bible.

For you see my Brothers and sisters, these words reminds us of

s us of

the most basic truths of the Christian faith: It reminds us that

us that

Christianity is not a one-person show; that it is God who gathers us;

that the church to which he calls us is made up of imperfect human

ct human

beings like ourselves; and that despite our differences and

misunderstanding, that reconciliation is powerful.

Yes my Brothers and Sisters it’s true, Christianity is not a one-

’

s true, Christianity is not a one-

person show. Although God calls us to his church one by one,

the church to which he calls us is a community, a gathering together of

church to which he calls us is a community, a gathering togethe

r of

those called by God to fellowship with one another. You do know that it is God who gathers us. Listen to Jesus, “where two or three are gathered.”

You do know that it is God who gathers us. Listen to Jesus,

“where two or three are gathered.”

where two or three are gathered.

”

Yes! My Brothers and Sisters It is God who lures us, leads us, draws us, impels us to himself.

God who lures us, leads us, draws us, impels us to himself.

For it is God who has created us with an inborn hunger that can only be satisfied in him. For those who are gathered in the name of Jesus are called out, Yes out of lives of despair, out of confusion, out of selfishness, out of isolation and fear. Yes my Brothers and Sisters we are called out by name, as individuals, with all our pains and hurts and mistakes. We are

who has created us with an inborn hunger that can only be

satisfied in

him. For those who are gathered in the name of Jesus are calle

d out, Yes

For it is God who has created us with an inborn hunger that can only be satisfied in him. For those who are gathered in the name of Jesus are called out, Yes out of lives of despair, out of confusion, out of selfishness, out of isolation and fear. Yes my Brothers and Sisters we are called out by name, as individuals, with all our pains and hurts and mistakes. We are

out of lives of despair, out of confusion, out of selfishness,

out of

isolation and fear. Yes my Brothers and Sisters we are called

out by

name, as individuals, with all our pains and hurts and mistake

s. We are

called out of lives that work and lives that don’t work, successful lives and lives of failure. Yes my Brothers and Sisters it is God who calls us.

’

t work, successful lives

and lives of failure. Yes my Brothers and Sisters it is God

who calls us.

You see my Brothers and Sisters we are called to a local Congregation that is not perfect--- that can never be perfect for it is made up of imperfect human beings just like ourselves. We are called to a place where the word of God is preached and taught. The church is not a social club or a special interest group, not a civic center or a theater, not a school or a museum. It is a special place where God is at home and invites us in to be with him.

Congregation that is not perfect--- that can never be perfect f

or it is

made up of imperfect human beings just like ourselves. We are

called to

a place where the word of God is preached and taught. The c

hurch is

not a social club or a special interest group, not a civic cente

r or a

theater, not a school or a museum. It is a special place where

God is at

home and invites us in to be with him.

Despite our differences and misunderstanding God wants us to come together and stay together. For he said in his word, if two or three will come together in his name he would be in the midst. And what ever we ask of the Father it shall be.

s to

come together and stay together. For he said in his word, if two or three

two or three

will come together in his name he would be in the midst. And what ever

nd what ever

we ask of the Father it shall be.