Why Is The Church Important?

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matt 16:13-19

Soul searching questions

1. Do you love your church?
2. Do you really understand the      importance of the church?
3. If the strength if the church      was dependant solely on you, how strong would your church be?
4. What are you doing to make      your church strong?
5. Have you ever said or done      anything to hurt your church or give your church a black-eye?

Why is the church important?

1. Because we are to make sure      Christ is exalted.
 
1. "You are the       Messiah, the son of the living God."
2. Because the church is the      heartbeat of Christ and it was His idea.
 
1. "On this       rock I will build my Church"
3. Because Christ is counting on      us to be the builders.
 
1. "On this       rock I will build my Church."
4. Because Christ said we should      not allow anything to stop us or His church.
 
1. "The gates       of hell will not overcome it."
5. Because Gods people have been      equipped with authority. Authority that we should be using.
 
1. "I will give       you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

Why Is The Church Important?

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matt 16:13-19

Soul searching questions

1. Do you love your church?
2. Do you really understand the      importance of the church?
3. If the strength if the church      was dependant solely on you, how strong would your church be?
4. What are you doing to make      your church strong?
5. Have you ever said or done      anything to hurt your church or give your church a black-eye?

Why is the church important?

1. Because we are to make sure      Christ is exalted.
 
1. "You are the       Messiah, the son of the living God."
2. Because the church is the      heartbeat of Christ and it was His idea.
 
1. "On this       rock I will build my Church"
3. Because Christ is counting on      us to be the builders.
 
1. "On this       rock I will build my Church."
4. Because Christ said we should      not allow anything to stop us or His church.
 
1. "The gates       of hell will not overcome it."
5. Because Gods people have been      equipped with authority. Authority that we should be using.
 
1. "I will give       you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

3 things that happen when you have a genuine encounter with Christ

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:1-10

1. What needs to change is      revealed.
2. What is broken is fixed.
3. You will be set free from      what enslaves your life.

3 things that happen when you have a genuine encounter with Christ

1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:1-10

1. What needs to change is      revealed.
2. What is broken is fixed.
3. You will be set free from      what enslaves your life.

Old Faithful

"Remarkable Consistency"

1.  God wants us to be faithful in the small      things.
 
1. Luke 16:10

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

1. God wants us to be faithful      in church attendance.
 
1. Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1. God wants us to be faithful      in serving.
 
1. Matthew 24:45-46

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

1. God wants us to be faithful      in the message.
 
1. 1 Corinthians       4:1-2

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1. God wants us to be faithful      in our giving.
 
1. Luke 16:11

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?