Sunday Morning Worship
May 5, 2013
Series: “The Ekklesia – An Unstoppable Force”
Today: “A Choice Nation”
Speaker: Pastor Ben Walls
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20 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. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Intro: The actual word Jesus used when He referred to the church was: ekklesia.
A. Definition: A gathering of people , both literally and metaphorically.
B. When we use the term church, we seldom use it like Jesus is using the term.
I. THE CHURCH HAS A ROCK FOUNDATION.
A. The church is people who are convinced that Jesus is the Christ !
B. You can burn the building I worship in; you can take my life. But the devil and all his imps can’t take away my convictions .
II. THE CHURCH IS BEING BUILT .
A. We think of numbers , God thinks of Christ likeness.
Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
B. Christ is growing strong in you if you are truly part of the convinced .
III. WORLDLINESS WILL NOT WIN OVER GODLINESS.
A. “The gates of hell” = Jesus meant that the plots and strategies of the evil one will never prevail over the work of Christ in people.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
B. For all the convinced, when we openly confess our weaknesses and need for Christ’s forgiveness and power, Christ will build you up.
Conclusion: The ekklesia, the convinced, we are unstoppable. Why?
1. We’re convinced Jesus is the Christ .
2. We’re convinced that makes Him right —all the time.
3. We’re convinced He works all things together for our good .
4. We’re convinced this world is not our home ; we have a glorious inheritance.