A ‘church’ is: A. A building where religious people meet. Must have a steeple. B. The people that meet in the building with the steeple. Kinda like a club. C. A meeting, usually on Sunday, where they sing 400-year old songs and listen to boring lectures. D. An organization where headstrong, narrow-minded people complain a lot and jockey for position and influence.

The best reason to come Sunday morning is: A. I like the music. B. Praising God makes me feel good. C. My friends all go. D. I just always have. Never really thought about it before.

The Church… …and your part in it.

Part 1: The Church’s Definition and Foundation …and your part in it. Part 1: The Church’s Definition and Foundation

Matthew 16: 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  

Matthew 16: 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  14They 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?”

15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God

 17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. 18And 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.

 17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18And 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.

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. Peter = petros = a small rock (pebble) rock = petra = a large rock (boulder) rock = an OT symbol for the unchanging presence of God

And I tell you that you are Petros, and on this petra I will build My church,

And I tell you that you are Petros, and on this petra I will build My church…

= an assembly of those that are summoned …on this rock I will build My church… church = ekklesia = ‘called-out ones’ = an assembly of those that are summoned

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.

“But what about you? Who do you say I am?”