Why Do I Need Church?
Jeff Strite
Matthew 16:13-18
OPEN: About 9 years ago, the Russian Orthodox Church had a 200 year old Church Building that had fallen into disuse. They wanted to refurbish and begin worship services there, but when they arrived at village where the church building was ... it wasn't there anymore. It had disappeared. It seems that some thieves had decided that - since the Greek Orthodox folks didn't seem to have a use for the building - they did! And they carried away the church, brick by brick, until there wasn't much left of a once elegant building. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7728407.stm)
Most churches are built of brick or wood or stone. And everybody knows that even the best of those building is not going to last forever. But this morning we're talking about a different kind of church. We're going to talk about a church that WILL last forever. We're going to talk about the church that Jesus built.
Jesus said: ''... on this rock I will build MY church... Matthew 16:18
Now, of course, Jesus wasn't talking about a building made bricks, and stone, and wood. The church Jesus had in mind was going to be built out of flesh and blood - your flesh and blood. My flesh and blood. The church Jesus intended to build was to be made of you and me. WE are the church and wherever we are...WE are the church. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to save us and make us part of HIS church.
Now many people don't realize how important the church is to Jesus. The Bible talks about the Church as the ''Bride of Christ'' and in Ephesians we read: ''Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her'' (Ephesians 5:25). The Church is the Bride of Christ - and Jesus loves her! He died for her!!!
In fact, did you realize that you can't be a good Christian and not be part of His church. I John 1:7 says '' if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...''
Now, look at that closely: If we wa ...
Jeff Strite
Matthew 16:13-18
OPEN: About 9 years ago, the Russian Orthodox Church had a 200 year old Church Building that had fallen into disuse. They wanted to refurbish and begin worship services there, but when they arrived at village where the church building was ... it wasn't there anymore. It had disappeared. It seems that some thieves had decided that - since the Greek Orthodox folks didn't seem to have a use for the building - they did! And they carried away the church, brick by brick, until there wasn't much left of a once elegant building. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7728407.stm)
Most churches are built of brick or wood or stone. And everybody knows that even the best of those building is not going to last forever. But this morning we're talking about a different kind of church. We're going to talk about a church that WILL last forever. We're going to talk about the church that Jesus built.
Jesus said: ''... on this rock I will build MY church... Matthew 16:18
Now, of course, Jesus wasn't talking about a building made bricks, and stone, and wood. The church Jesus had in mind was going to be built out of flesh and blood - your flesh and blood. My flesh and blood. The church Jesus intended to build was to be made of you and me. WE are the church and wherever we are...WE are the church. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to save us and make us part of HIS church.
Now many people don't realize how important the church is to Jesus. The Bible talks about the Church as the ''Bride of Christ'' and in Ephesians we read: ''Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her'' (Ephesians 5:25). The Church is the Bride of Christ - and Jesus loves her! He died for her!!!
In fact, did you realize that you can't be a good Christian and not be part of His church. I John 1:7 says '' if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...''
Now, look at that closely: If we wa ...
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