The Church Jesus Builds

basics

MATTHEW 16

  1. The Need for a Compelling View of the Church
    • There are 173 million Americans who would say that they are Christians but who do not worship with other believers.
    • Christ and His church should be at the center of every Christians life. It’s not a slice of the pie that helps round out a full life. It’s the core that should govern everything else.
    • John Stott, “If the church is central to God’s purpose, it must surely be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?”
  2. The Church that Jesus builds know who Jesus is
    • Jesus asks a direct question that everyone must answer: “Who do you say that Jesus is?”
      Charles Spurgeon, “It matters little what others say about Jesus-whether they are right or wrong-but what is your opinion.”
  3. The Church Jesus builds make Jesus known
    • The Rock: the foundation of the church.
    • The Gate: the outward mission of the church can not be stopped.
    • The Keys: the authority of the church comes from Christ Himself.
    • A Cross: following Jesus is a life of sacrifice and service.