Defining Church

Intro:

When you think of church, what do you think of?

Some place where you get to hear some music and then listen to a guy talk for 45 mins?

maybe you think of church as a place where you get to see some friends once a week.

Or you think of it as a place where you don’t really want to go.

- The church is the PEOPLE of God living out the MISSION of God for the GLORY of God.

God created the church for an incredible purpose…and you can be a part of that!

We’ve heard so much about “cancelled” recently

Movies have been cancelled

school has been cancelled

trips have been cancelled

some sports have been cancelled

THE CHURCH CAN NEVER BE CANCELLED

We need to get rid of the thought that the church is a building.

A preacher

Games

entertainement

music

social club

The church is the people of GOd, living out the mission of God for the glory of God.

English Standard Version Chapter 16

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered 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 tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The church was built by God(v.13-18)

There are a lot of people who hotly debate what this passage means.

Some think it means the church is built upon Peter’s back. (Pentecost)

Some think the rock is Jesus’ teachings

I believe it means the truth that Peter spoke in v. 16.

You are christ. Son of the living God.

- The church was built upon the thought that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus is the rock (cornerstone) on which the church is built.

Cornerstone was of utmost importance.

It made sure everything was in place.

It held everything together.

What kind of implications does this have?

Jesus is in control of what happens

No pandemic

No speaker

No idealology

NOTHING will stop His church (v. 18 d)

Gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Jesus can do amazing things through the people who accept this truth

Peter knew that Christ was God and in control of all things. Jesus did INCREDIBLE things through Peter. What can we do if we submit ourselves to God like Peter did.

The Church is built through people (v.19-)

A key is a badge of authority

Peter, adn us, are given the ability to open the door of faith.

Jesus gave us the ability to help grwo the church.

are we taking advantage of that?

Are we witnessing

Are we discipling

Are we reaching out

or are we keeping to ourselves and running out the clock

English Standard Version Chapter 16

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The church is built to last (v.18)

English Standard Version Chapter 16

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The church is coming up on a crisis

Pandemic was just the beginning

Some people want to label churches as terrorist organizations.

Be in the church

This may sound too easy (or too hard?)

Let’s be honest..we’re all busy

Sports

friends

acadmeics

fmaily

video games

perfect instagram pictures

trying to learn tik tok dances

Don’t let your busy schedule eat up church

Make it priority (Be willing to get rid of something else to make time for church.)

Make it a preference (Realize church can be enjoyable if you are Living in Christ)

Make it a practice (Plan your schedule around

Be for church

How can we be for the church

Showing up

Serving the church

serving others

praying for our church family’s needs

Let’s be people who are FOR the church this year.

Be the church

The church isn’t a band

a program

a group of games

your youth group

Obviously we want church to be fun and enjoyable.

True joy in church comes from celebrating God with your brothers and siters in Christ.

This comes from daily obeying and owrhsip of God.