The Local Church Is the Hope of the World
Jerry Watts
Matthew 16:17-19
This morning I begin with a confession. These five Core Beliefs which we agree and have now spent 5 weeks on have been my personal core beliefs for almost 15 years. In praying about this message, I was attempting to recall where I had first heard this concept and was reminded that while at Glorietta (1996), Bill Hybels spoke these words and the truth contained therein stuck, ''The Local Church IS indeed the hope of the world.''
Then in 2002, Bill wrote ''Courageous Leadership'' and included his personal words about this truth; ''There is nothing like the local church when it's working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalized of this world. The potential of the local church is almost more than I can grasp.''
When we read the words of Jesus, it becomes crystal clear that Jesus had and has big plans for His church (I.E. building, body, and bride). Does this strike anyone but me as ''Odd?'' In no uncertain terms Jesus states that HIS church will be able to stand against the gates, forces, literally the doors of hell. And the early church did this well. Turn with me to Acts and let's get a glimpse and rag-tag group of believers who had few resources and turned the world upside-down. (Acts 1, 2, 4,6)
A Display of This Church - Just like the picture on a puzzle box, this helps.
God Plan - (2:1) they were altogether. The local church will never become the ''hope of the world'' until 2 things happen; a) we can identify who the real church is and b) we all come together in unity. Today, we simply need people to ''not forsake assembling.'' Recently, I was talking ...
Jerry Watts
Matthew 16:17-19
This morning I begin with a confession. These five Core Beliefs which we agree and have now spent 5 weeks on have been my personal core beliefs for almost 15 years. In praying about this message, I was attempting to recall where I had first heard this concept and was reminded that while at Glorietta (1996), Bill Hybels spoke these words and the truth contained therein stuck, ''The Local Church IS indeed the hope of the world.''
Then in 2002, Bill wrote ''Courageous Leadership'' and included his personal words about this truth; ''There is nothing like the local church when it's working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the context of community. It builds bridges to seekers and opens its arms to the forgotten, the downtrodden, and the disillusioned. It breaks the chains of addictions, frees the oppressed, and offers belonging to the marginalized of this world. The potential of the local church is almost more than I can grasp.''
When we read the words of Jesus, it becomes crystal clear that Jesus had and has big plans for His church (I.E. building, body, and bride). Does this strike anyone but me as ''Odd?'' In no uncertain terms Jesus states that HIS church will be able to stand against the gates, forces, literally the doors of hell. And the early church did this well. Turn with me to Acts and let's get a glimpse and rag-tag group of believers who had few resources and turned the world upside-down. (Acts 1, 2, 4,6)
A Display of This Church - Just like the picture on a puzzle box, this helps.
God Plan - (2:1) they were altogether. The local church will never become the ''hope of the world'' until 2 things happen; a) we can identify who the real church is and b) we all come together in unity. Today, we simply need people to ''not forsake assembling.'' Recently, I was talking ...
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