The church will prevail. It is indestructible. It’s not going anywhere. Why? Because the builder, Christ, is stronger than the persecutor.
Sermon Title: WHY CHURCH?
Sermon Text: MATTHEW 16:13-18
Sermon Series: WE ARE THE CHURCH
By: PTR. NIC SY
Sermon Notes:
MATTHEW 16:13-18 NIV
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
“The trend is practically universal: fewer people are attending church every year.”
Carey Nieuwhof, “Why Attending Church No Longer Makes Sense.”
MATTHEW 16:18 NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
church | Greek: ekklesia
It indicates that the church would be different from the rest of society.
an assembly
church | Greek: ekklesia
It indicates that the church gathers.
ek (out) + kalleo (call), literally “to call out”
HEBREWS 10:25 NIV
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 JOHN 3:14 NIV
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
HE BUILDS IT
1 CORINTHIANS 3:11 NIV
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
MATTHEW 16:18 NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter (petros), and on this rock I will build my church (petra), and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
We are the church because we rest on the foundation of the finished work of Christ.
HE OWNS IT
MATTHEW 16:18 NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
ACTS 20:28 NIV
28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
We are blood-bought believers.
HE KEEPS IT
MATTHEW 16:18 NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The church will prevail. It is indestructible. It’s not going anywhere. Why? Because the builder, Christ, is stronger than the persecutor.
What is your Perfect Sunday?