I will build my church- Small gp

!Michael Ali / General AdultShifting Focus: From Membership to Discipleship / Church: Nature /

Scripture reading:

WelcomeVisitor’s connection card and bulletin.Last weekMembers’ meetingScripture reading: What a powerful portion of Scripture! Worth your study and meditation.Who do you say I am? Peter comes up with the right answer.Jesus’s predicting His death and resurrectionDiscipleship - taking up your cross and following Jesus.but I’d like to use as my textText: {M.V: 18}Intro.2 weeks ago- Go to church!What is the church? The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” How do you see the church? Many see the church as a place of religious sentiments, soul-soothing music, people dressed up in their Sunday best, making nice conversation after the service. A place of piety, passivity and tranquility. A place for good, people, people who have got it all together.When you attend church, you would have done your religious duty and it helps to make you a decent person and good citizen.“Be quiet in church. You don’t want to disturb anyone who is sleeping.”But from this portion of Scripture, Jesus paints a different picture. A place ofDivine revelationActive development of a heavenly forceIntense spiritual warfarePower, authority and dominion is waged over the world systemMen and women sacrifice themselves for Himpeople lay down their lives for a greater cause, a greater eternal purpose. As we continue this series, Shifting FocusToday - the church itself. Four reasons why the church will thrive.

Ice-breakernow is a good time to visit. Our pastor is on vacation.Don’t let worries kill you. Let the church help.Staying in bed and shouting “Oh God” does not constitute going to church.The best part of waking up is with Jesus in your cup.Have trouble sleeping. We have sermons WelcomeVisitor’s connection card and bulletin.Last weekMembers’ meetingScripture reading: What a powerful portion of Scripture! Worth your study and meditation.Who do you say I am? Peter comes up with the right answer.Jesus’s predicting His death and resurrectionDiscipleship - taking up your cross and following Jesus.but I’d like to use as my textText: {M.V: 18}Intro.2 weeks ago- Go to church!What is the church? The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” How do you see the church? Many see the church as a place of religious sentiments, soul-soothing music, people dressed up in their Sunday best, making nice conversation after the service. A place of piety, passivity and tranquility. A place for good, people, people who have got it all together.When you attend church, you would have done your religious duty and it helps to make you a decent person and good citizen.“Be quiet in church. You don’t want to disturb anyone who is sleeping.”But from this portion of Scripture, Jesus paints a different picture. A place ofDivine revelationActive development of a heavenly forceIntense spiritual warfarePower, authority and dominion is waged over the world systemMen and women sacrifice themselves for Himpeople lay down their lives for a greater cause, a greater eternal purpose. As we continue this series, Shifting FocusToday - the church itself. Four reasons why the church will thrive.

What is the church? The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.”

How does our society see the church?

What do you think the church should be like?

Jesus paints a different picture.

A place of Divine revelation

Active development of a heavenly force

Intense spiritual warfare

Power, authority and dominion is waged over the world system

Men and women sacrifice themselves for Him people lay down their lives for a greater cause, a greater eternal purpose.

(1) Our church belongs to Jesus.

Not the Pope or Pastor. We are under-shepherds

How does that statement make you feel?

Does it change your approach to the church?

Would we work differently, do things differently if we knew Jesus was in charge?

I - Jesus, My church.The church is God’s, His divine institution on the earth. It is not man-made, not government-run.not the pastor, not the church HQ When we are a part of the church, we are a part of something big, something divine, something eternal, something relevant.This is not a trivial pursuit. This is life and death, eternity in the balance, the souls of men and women, the success of the lives of people. save people from drugs, addiction, divorce, poverty, bankruptcy. I consider it the highest privilege to be a pastor. This is the noblest of callings. Eternity will tell.Struggle, stress beginning Friday afternoon, prayer meeting, evening, Saturday morning, day, evening, Sunday.how will it go?Struggle?Attendance?Sermon?Then pull back. I am only the vessel. I do my part. He does His. I will build MY church

Jesus is the One who is ultimately responsible for the church.he take responsibility for you as an individual.

​ ESV All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

​ ESV I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

(2) Our church is confident in Jesus.

I WILL build.

Joshua 21:45 ESV

Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

There is an assurance there. A confidence. No room for doubt.You and I can be confident that we are a part of what God is doing in the world.

There is an assurance there. A confidence. No room for doubt.You and I can be confident that we are a part of what God is doing in the world.

Do you see signs of God working in the church?

How dos the future of the church look to you?

What would you like to see in the church?

​English Standard Version Chapter 1 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7

Our confidence rests on Jesus, the Lord of Glory.As an individual, you can be confident in Jesus also.Another reason why this church will thrive.third reason why we will thrive -

(3) Our church is built by Jesus.

The church is a work in progress.

The building never stops. Will only stop when He returns.

We are working with Him.

His construction plans

Imagine building a house or doing a major renovation. Takes months.

Visit the project - all the workers are idle, taking extended breaks, smoke-break, coffee-break, lunch-break, FB-break, telephone call -break.

Work = effort, labor, time.

Paul gives an insight into God’s construction plans, His blueprint in Ephesians Cornerstone -refers to the first and most important stone laid in a new building. Proper placement of a cornerstone ensured a straight and level foundation.Peter tells us we are living stones in this building []The foundation has been laid. Jesus stills keeps laying bricks.

not active on the job.

Jesus - I will BUILD. There’s work involved.Jesus’s babyWhen someone in a company comes up with a project - it is called their “baby’. They are told that’s your baby, you run with it.In a sense, the church is Jesus’ baby!But it’s more than that. It is His body! His construction plansPaul gives an insight into God’s construction plans, His blueprint in Ephesians Cornerstone -refers to the first and most important stone laid in a new building. Proper placement of a cornerstone ensured a straight and level foundation.Peter tells us we are living stones in this building []The foundation has been laid. Jesus stills keeps laying bricks.

​ AV Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

We work along with God. He is the Chief Architect and Cornerstone.And He is actively building His church.But He invites us to be a part of that.

For we are God’s fellow workers.

The point here is that church is not for play and passivity. There is active work being done by the Chief Builder. And He calls us to lend a hand or more accurately, “Give your life.

”What are you doing as a part of God’s church?

​King James Version Chapter 3Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Why not build with Jesus? Something that will last for all eternity?I am sure we can do with more ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, hospitality members, cleaners, SS workers, SG leaders, opening homes, special event workers.AS Pastor, I see the urgent need for small groups - they are critical for the strength and growth of the church. This is where each one of us can be involved. And work with Christ to build His church.Ask God. Lord what can I do?Finally,

(4) Our church will win because of Jesus.

Any other interpretations?

Interpretations of the gates of hell shall not prevail.

physical, literal gates? A passive entity. They don’t move so the church is advancing against it. But the word prevail suggests otherwise, hell is on the offensive.

gates - It was at the city gates that important business transactions were made. Satan’s plans cannot prevail against the church gates of [hell]

physical, literal gates? A passive entity. They don’t move so the church is advancing against it. But the word prevail suggests otherwise, hell is on the offensive.gates - It was at the city gates that important business transactions were madeSatan’s plans cannot prevail against the church gates of [hell] Hades as a metonymy for the power of death [NET Bible]

Hades as a metonymy for the power of death [NET Bible]

​The Bible Knowledge Commentary 16:17–20Jews would understand hades’ gates to refer to physical death. Jesus was thus telling the disciples His death would not prevent His work of building the church.

Satan can and will wage war against the church.

How do we get involved in fighting against him?

Conc.

I don’t know about you but I am not excited about too many things in this world but I am tremendously passionate for Jesus and His church, for what He is doing in the world, what He is able to do.It is an exciting journey.so what does this mean for you?Members, young and old - be cognizant that you are a part of something significant, something important, something eternal. If you are not contributing in some way, ask yourself “What can I do?” I can helpChristian non-member - Should you not commit to a local church? What’s preventing you? Guests- checking out the faith, beginning to experience the Lord, - what’s the next step you need to take? Keep coming.Christians are not called to be church members but disciples. We are not called to be consumers but contributors.Your joy and significance awaits you.When God sees you honoring Him, He will begin to pour into your life - strength, power, blessings, peace.It is no secret what God can do.