A New Movement

What picture comes to mind when you hear the word church?

What was the picture Jesus had in mind when he established the church?

A NEW MOVEMENT

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

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

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

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus 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. 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.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Matthew 16:13-20

Question #1: Who is JESUS?

The Great Confession:  

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Messiah (Christ): Anointed One, God’s final KING.

• Jesus is NOT just a PERSONAL MESSIAH.
• Jesus is NOT just a GOOD TEACHER.
• Jesus is NOT just a SPIRITUAL LIFE COACH.

Jesus is God’s final King, Savior of the World, Son of the Living God.

The most IMPORTANT QUESTION in the world: “Who do you say Jesus is?”

Question #2: What is the CHURCH?

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…”

Ekklesia (Church): Assembly or Gathering. A compound Greek word, ek (out) and kaleo (to call); literally meaning: “the called-out ones.” 

The Church Is:

• Jesus-ESTABLISHED 
• Jesus-CENTERED 
• Jesus-BUILT 
• Jesus-EMPOWERED.

The Church is the subversive KINGDOM COMMUNITY, living under the reign of KING JESUS.

Three Distinctive Marks of the Early Church:

• Radical GENEROSITY
• Bold FAITH
• Sacrificial LOVE

Question #3: What’s the PURPOSE of the Church?   

“…and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The Gates of Hades:

• The Power of DEATH.
• The Powers of EVIL.

The Church is God’s game plan for REACHING the world & there is no PLAN B.

The Church is NOT a CLUB (HOLY HUDDLE).

The Church is NOT a RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

The Church is NOT a SPIRITUAL-SUPPORT GROUP.

We exist to awaken this generation to new life in Christ.