The church is not defined by its physical structure or institutional framework but by the people who comprise it. Jesus Christ emphasized the importance of individuals when He declared that He would build His church upon the rock of faith. This highlights the church's mission to nurture and care for its members, recognizing each person as precious in God's sight. The church thrives and grows through the collective faith and actions of its people, not through the prominence of its leaders or the grandeur of its buildings. [16:35]
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the growth and nurturing of your church community today, recognizing your unique role within the body of Christ?
Day 2: Multiplication of Believers, Not Leaders
The stories of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts serve as powerful reminders that the church's growth is centered on the multiplication of believers rather than the prominence of its leaders. Their journeys illustrate the transformative power of the gospel, which reaches and changes lives across diverse backgrounds and circumstances. The early church's expansion was driven by the collective faith and commitment of its members, who were inspired by the teachings of Christ and the apostles. [16:35]
"And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith." (Acts 6:7, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you share the gospel with today, and how can you encourage them to grow in their faith?
Day 3: Patience and Wisdom in the Church
The parable of the wheat and the tares teaches us about the coexistence of genuine believers and those who may not fully embrace the faith within the church. Jesus instructs us to let them grow together, trusting in His wisdom to ultimately separate the wheat from the tares. This parable encourages patience and reliance on God's timing and discernment in dealing with challenges and differences within the church community. [41:52]
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, 'Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" (Matthew 13:30, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your church community you find challenging to understand or accept? How can you practice patience and seek God's wisdom in your interactions with them today?
Day 4: The Church's Strength in Christ
The promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" assures us that the church operates from a position of strength. Despite facing challenges and opposition, the church will continue to advance because it is built on the unshakable foundation of Christ. This promise encourages believers to remain faithful, lift up Jesus, and trust that He will draw people to Himself, ensuring the church's enduring impact and growth. [41:52]
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)
Reflection: What challenges are you currently facing that require you to trust in the strength and foundation of Christ? How can you remain steadfast in your faith today?
Day 5: Faithful Stewardship and God's Provision
Tithing and supporting the church's mission are vital aspects of faithful stewardship. While some may not fully participate, the church's progress is not hindered because God is in control. Believers are called to be faithful stewards, trusting that God will provide and take care of His people. This responsibility involves recognizing the importance of contributing to the church's mission and trusting in God's provision for both the church and individual needs. [41:52]
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice faithful stewardship today, and how can you trust God to provide for both your needs and the needs of your church community?
Sermon Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that the church is fundamentally about people. Jesus Christ, the owner of the church, has given pastors a divine assignment and authority to shepherd His flock. This authority is not for self-glorification but for the service and nurturing of the congregation. The church is not a mere institution or a club; it is a living body of believers, each one precious in the sight of God. Jesus emphasized this when He said, "Upon this rock, I will build my church," highlighting that the church's foundation is built on people, not just structures or hierarchies.
The book of Acts illustrates this focus on people through the stories of Peter and Paul, who were instrumental in the early church's growth. Despite the challenges and opposition they faced, the church multiplied because it was centered on people and their relationship with God. The church's mission is to feed the lambs and sheep, ensuring that every member is spiritually nourished and cared for.
We also discussed the parable of the wheat and the tares, which teaches us to be patient and discerning. The church will always have a mix of people, some who are genuine and others who may not be. However, it is not our place to judge or uproot them prematurely. God will ultimately separate the wheat from the tares. Our role is to love and serve all, trusting that God is in control.
Furthermore, the promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" assures us that the church will endure despite any challenges. This promise is a testament to God's sovereignty and the power of His church. We are called to be witnesses, to spread the gospel, and to trust that God will take care of His people.
Finally, we are reminded of the importance of tithing and supporting the church. While some may not give, it does not hinder God's work. The church continues to thrive because God is faithful, and He blesses those who are faithful to Him. Let us remember that the church is about people, and our mission is to love, serve, and bring others to Christ.
Key Takeaways
1. Divine Authority and Service: Pastors are given authority by God to shepherd His people, not for self-glorification but to serve and nurture the congregation. This authority is a divine assignment to care for the spiritual well-being of the church. [16:35]
2. The Church is About People: The church's foundation is built on people, not just structures or hierarchies. Jesus emphasized this when He said, "Upon this rock, I will build my church," highlighting the importance of each member in the body of Christ. [16:35]
3. Patience and Discernment: The parable of the wheat and the tares teaches us to be patient and discerning. The church will always have a mix of people, and it is not our place to judge or uproot them prematurely. God will ultimately separate the wheat from the tares. [41:52]
4. The Promise of Endurance: The promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" assures us that the church will endure despite any challenges. This promise is a testament to God's sovereignty and the power of His church. [41:52]
5. Faithfulness in Giving: Tithing and supporting the church are important, but even when some do not give, it does not hinder God's work. The church continues to thrive because God is faithful, and He blesses those who are faithful to Him. [41:52] ** [41:52]
"Whatever you might think about the owner of the church, his name is Jesus. He's the owner of the church. Whatever you might think about the pastor, he has the divine assignment, the divine authority. He's got that. That's all his. But the object of the church is about people. It's about people. Jesus didn't select Peter just so he could walk around and talk about, I am Peter. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Jesus had something bigger in view than just his preacher. Jesus had people in view. The church is about people." [00:16:46]
"Peter and Paul, Peter and Paul, Barnabas is on soon for sure. Philip is on soon for sure. Stephen is on soon for sure. They're all on soon. Saul, Paul and Silas, Silas is on soon. But the main characters are Peter and Paul. Peter is there from Acts chapter 1 all the way over to Acts chapter 11. Peter, Peter is the dominant person. And after we move from Acts chapter 11, Luke tells us about Peter in Acts chapter 12. Peter is in prison and the angel comes and releases him." [00:19:41]
"And you and I need to understand it because the church, the church is about people. It's about people. In some way or another, we turn our churches into little clubs sometimes, and we just get in love with ourselves and everything. But no, no, the church is about people. Upon this rock, I have built my church, and Jesus makes it clear about the fact that the church is about people. People are important. People are important. They're so important that Jesus don't want us to mess up the people in the church." [00:29:53]
"Jesus said, while men slept, an enemy came in and sowed tare among the wheat. And they said, Lord, shall we, he said, no, let them grow together. The church is important. Let the wheat and the tare, oh, it's so hard on the pastor to let the wheat and tare grow together. Every man and his sister, tare stick their head up, brother, tare stick their head up, and we want to tare them right out. Listen, I know who they are. They are, I know who they are. I know who they are." [00:32:41]
"Jesus said that the wheat and tear grow together because the church is about people he also said he said the church is made up of a wise and foolish he said five wise and five foolish ten virgins he said ten ten in the church and they all they all they all look alike and they all slept and slumbered but the five were wise and five were foolish the wise had oil in their lamps the food is just had left but jesus didn't do it he said leave him alone leave him alone leave him alone they all slept and slumber leave them alone leave them alone." [00:36:01]
"Because what happens is when you start messing with it, you're going to pull up the wheat with the tare. Oh, Lord, and mercy. Many pastors tear up this church trying to get rid of it with tare. Oh, Lord, and mercy. Oh, Lord, and mercy. You better leave it alone. You better leave it. After a while, there won't be nobody but you. I know a pastor, he sat down the choir. He sat him down. I sat down the choir. That be quick. There was all my name. I sat down the choir." [00:49:54]
"God is in control. And the promise we have is that the gates of hell should not prevail against the church. Look at the church where it is today. The church started off, it was those 12 that Jesus had selected. And the Bible knows, the Bible tells us, that as many as 500 saw Jesus after he rose from the grave. But that was just that group. And the church was just in Jerusalem. But Jesus said to them, the church is going. You shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem. In Judea. Under Samaria. Unto the uttermost part of the earth." [00:50:13]
"Because Jesus said you need to understand there's a promise. And that promise is that the church will grow. And the gates of hell should not prevail against it. You know, even if you have a place. Some of you have gates. Have yards with gates. We have a gate on our parking lot. But gates are not offensive. You never see the gate go after anybody. Gates are defensive. Gates keep you from going in. And there's gates against the church all over the world. But Jesus said, I want you to know that the gates of hell should not prevail against the church." [00:51:53]
"And somehow or another the church keeps marching on. Further and further down the way. I say a great hope that a great hope there's a place for you. But God blesses a tither and a tithing church. And he that with his souls is wise. And the church grows by the sheep bearing sheep. Land can't have sheep. But after a while the land will grow into a sheep. And sheep can bear sheep. You never see the pastor have sheep. Wherever you see the lambs at, the pastor never bears any sheep. But it's the people in the church that grow up and bear sheep in the church." [00:53:56]
"Jesus said, upon this rock I will be in my church. And the gates of hell should not prevail against it. How did I know? Because the Bible tells me so. I heard Paul said that we have to put on the whole arm of God. That we might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. You see the devil handles the gates of hell. He's there trying to keep the church from going forward. But all we got to do is just tell somebody about Jesus. If we talk about Jesus, we will work it out. Could I get a witness?" [00:57:28]
"Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I'll go on me and underneath. But we all forgot about Jesus. But I come to tell you, I need to tell somebody that Jesus is the only of the church. And the only Jesus that put the pastor there in the church. But people need to know that they are important to Jesus. Jesus said, don't worry about how you're going to make it. Can I get a witness? Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy -maiden. And I will give you rest. Can you hear Jesus telling the people, take my yoke upon you." [00:59:36]
"Let me, for I'm meek and loaded heart. And you'll find rest until you sow. And my yoke is easy and my burden is light. We need to tell them, that all these times going on, and jobs, being lost, somebody said, Oh Lord, that President Biden, increase the government by 82 ,000. Oh Lord, somebody said, that Trump, don't get rid of all those 82 ,000. Oh Lord, that Biden, can't drop soon. But I come to tell you, don't worry about what the world may do. If you belong to the Lord, that he will take care of you." [01:01:36]