1. Why do Church?...because Jesus

2. I’m spiritual but not religious attendance (once a month, Canada) 1986: 48% 2012: 27% Why do Church?...because Jesus

3. unaffiliated (no religious identity) 1986: 7% 2012: 25% Why do Church?...because Jesus I’m spiritual but not religious

4. Why do Church?...because Jesus ChinaChina

5. Why do Church?...because Jesus The first mention of church When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16.13) The first mention of church When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16.13)

6. Why do Church?...because Jesus Caesarea Philippi A city devoted to the worship of Pan, the god of nature and panic, group sex. He was a sexual predator. Caesarea Philippi A city devoted to the worship of Pan, the god of nature and panic, group sex. He was a sexual predator.

7. Why do Church?...because Jesus A cave with a spring, the headwaters of the Jordan River where Pan worshippers met. Called the gates of Hades (the underworld) Caesarea Philippi

8. Why do Church?...because Jesus Q & A time Who do people say that the Son of Man is? John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets Q & A time Who do people say that the Son of Man is? John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the prophets

9. Why do Church?...because Jesus The crossroads question: But who do you say I am? (v. 15) The crossroads question: But who do you say I am? (v. 15)

10. Why do Church?...because Jesus 1) Church happens because of personal conviction [Peter] You are the Messiah [Christ], the Son of the living God. (v. 16) 1) Church happens because of personal conviction [Peter] You are the Messiah [Christ], the Son of the living God. (v. 16) When persons believe in Jesus as Saviour and Lord and find others, churches start...where two or three gather together as my followers, I’m there among them. (Matthew 18.20) When persons believe in Jesus as Saviour and Lord and find others, churches start...where two or three gather together as my followers, I’m there among them. (Matthew 18.20)

11. Why do Church?...because Jesus The conviction is God-inspired. [Jesus] You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.. (v. 16) The conviction is God-inspired. [Jesus] You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.. (v. 16) God must help us or we’ll never realize who Jesus is and the value of church.

12. Why do Church?...because Jesus 2) Church happens because Jesus makes it Jesus is the founder and energizer. [Jesus] Now I say to you that you are Peter [rock], and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell [Hades, underworld] will not conquer it. (v. 18) Jesus is the founder and energizer. [Jesus] Now I say to you that you are Peter [rock], and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell [Hades, underworld] will not conquer it. (v. 18) It’s encouraging to know Jesus empowers the church. It’s encouraging to know Jesus empowers the church.

13. Why do Church?...because Jesus The argument around this verse: Catholics say it refers to Pope Peter and mother Church. Only they have the keys to the Kingdom. Protestants say it refers to Peter’s faith in Jesus. It applies to all who believe in him. The argument around this verse: Catholics say it refers to Pope Peter and mother Church. Only they have the keys to the Kingdom. Protestants say it refers to Peter’s faith in Jesus. It applies to all who believe in him.

14. Why do Church?...because Jesus Church: not kirche but ekklesia We get “church” from kirche, a building. Jesus uses ekklesia. It’s not a building. It means “assembly, gathering”. Citizens formed an ekklesia to make civic decisions. We get “church” from kirche, a building. Jesus uses ekklesia. It’s not a building. It means “assembly, gathering”. Citizens formed an ekklesia to make civic decisions.

15. Why do Church?...because Jesus Ekklesia means called out ones. We’re selected by God to be in his family. We’re God’s new society. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3.27) We’re selected by God to be in his family. We’re God’s new society. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3.27)

16. Why do Church?...because Jesus We’re citizens of heaven. We’re the Jesus- culture....we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we’re eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3.20) We’re citizens of heaven. We’re the Jesus- culture....we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we’re eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3.20)

17. Why do Church?...because Jesus Church isn’t a bag of marbles. It’s a cluster of grapes. Jesus; I am the vine, you are the branches. John 15.5 Church isn’t a bag of marbles. It’s a cluster of grapes. Jesus; I am the vine, you are the branches. John 15.5 We’re each organically connected to Jesus. We’re joined to Jesus intimately by a spiritual umbilical cord. We’re each organically connected to Jesus. We’re joined to Jesus intimately by a spiritual umbilical cord.

18. Why do Church?...because Jesus 3) Church lasts because it’s indestructible The gates of Hell/Hades will not conquer it. (v. 18) God’s response to evil and suffering is not politics and not war. It’s God’s people worshipping, praying, loving serving, sacrificing. They’re the salt of the earth, the light of the world.

19. Why do Church?...because Jesus How do we know the church will conquer? Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things... would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. (v. 21) We know because of the resurruction.

20. Why do Church?...because Jesus And you? Get it clear, who Jesus is Keep focused on the founder, Jesus Don’t give up – don’t give in. Have confidence in God’s strategy Don’t give up – don’t give in. Have confidence in God’s strategy

21. Why do Church?...because Jesus And ROOTS? Be organic, be inter-dependent Push back the evil and darkness