Building the Church: Unity, Service, and Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound truth that we, as believers, are the Church. Our foundation is Jesus Christ, and we are called to build upon this foundation with unity and love. The Apostle Paul reminds us that no other foundation can be laid except that which is laid in Christ Jesus. We are interconnected, forming a spiritual house made up of "lively stones," each of us playing a unique role in the body of Christ.
Jesus' conversation with His disciples at Caesarea Philippi, where He asked, "Who do men say that I am?" led to Peter's revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession is the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church, a Church that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Despite the failings of individuals within the Church, the Church itself remains pure and unspotted, as it is being built by Jesus Himself.
We are not just inanimate stones but living, breathing members of a spiritual house. Paul further elaborates that we are members of one body, each with different functions but all essential to the whole. This unity transcends race, social status, and any other human-made divisions. We are called to be united, to serve one another, and to use our gifts for the benefit of the entire body.
The Church is also a community of faith, a place where we come together not just on Sundays but throughout the week, engaging in prayer, worship, and good works. Prayer is our communication with God, worship is our response to His love, and good works are the practical expressions of our faith. We are called to be doers of the Word, not just hearers, and to serve others as Jesus served.
In conclusion, the Church is not just a building or a Sunday gathering; it is a living, breathing community of believers united in Christ. We are called to be active participants, using our gifts and talents to build up the body and to serve our community. Let us commit to being the hands, feet, eyes, and mouth of Jesus, making a tangible difference in the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Foundation in Christ: Our foundation is Jesus Christ, and no other foundation can be laid. This foundation is unshakeable, and we are called to build upon it with unity and love. The Church is not built on human leaders but on the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. [53:25]
2. Living Stones: We are not inanimate objects but living stones, each playing a unique role in the spiritual house that Jesus is building. Our lives, actions, and gifts contribute to the strength and beauty of the Church. We are interconnected, and our unity is essential for the Church to stand strong. [01:02:15]
3. Unity in Diversity: The body of Christ is made up of many members, each with different functions but all essential to the whole. This unity transcends race, social status, and any other human-made divisions. We must recognize and value each other's contributions, understanding that we all have a role to play. [01:13:02]
4. Prayer and Worship: Prayer is our communication with God, and worship is our response to His love and grace. These are essential pillars of the Church that help us grow in spiritual maturity. Through prayer and worship, we align ourselves with God's will and draw strength from His presence. [01:29:29]
5. Good Works and Servanthood: The Church is called to be a force for good in the world. Good works are practical expressions of our faith, meeting the needs of others and glorifying God. We are also called to serve, following Jesus' example of humility and selflessness. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. [01:40:25]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [53:25] - Introduction: We Are the Church
3. [54:33] - Jesus at Caesarea Philippi
4. [56:15] - The Gates of Hell
5. [57:06] - Peter's Confession
6. [57:42] - Building on the Confession
7. [58:34] - The Church's Resilience
8. [59:50] - Jesus is Building His Church
9. [01:01:03] - What is Jesus Building With?
10. [01:02:15] - Lively Stones
11. [01:03:45] - Persecution and Unity
12. [01:06:18] - The Body of Christ
13. [01:13:02] - Unity in Diversity
14. [01:29:29] - Prayer and Worship
15. [01:40:25] - Good Works and Servanthood
16. [01:49:53] - Conclusion and Invitation to Participate
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:13-20: "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."
2. 1 Peter 2:4-5: "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Peter's confession about Jesus at Caesarea Philippi, and how did Jesus respond to it? ([57:06])
2. According to 1 Peter 2:4-5, what are believers compared to, and what is their purpose?
3. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, how does Paul describe the unity and diversity within the body of Christ?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ significant for the foundation of the Church? ([57:42])
2. How does the metaphor of "living stones" in 1 Peter 2:4-5 help us understand our role in the Church?
3. What does Paul mean when he says that the body of Christ is made up of many parts, and how does this relate to the concept of unity in diversity? ([01:13:02])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How can you build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ with unity and love in your daily interactions? ([53:25])
2. In what ways can you actively participate as a "living stone" in your local church community? ([01:02:15])
3. How can you contribute to the unity of the body of Christ, especially in areas where there might be racial, social, or economic differences? ([01:13:02])
4. What steps can you take to deepen your prayer life and worship, making them more integral parts of your daily routine? ([01:29:29])
5. Identify a specific good work or act of servanthood you can commit to this week. How can you follow Jesus' example of humility and selflessness in this task? ([01:40:25])
6. Think about a time when you felt disconnected from the church community. What actions can you take to foster a stronger sense of belonging and participation in your church? ([01:49:53])
7. How can you use your unique gifts and talents to serve others in your church and community, ensuring that you are a doer of the Word and not just a hearer? ([01:42:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Building on the Unshakeable Foundation
Our foundation is Jesus Christ, and no other foundation can be laid. This foundation is unshakeable, and we are called to build upon it with unity and love. The Church is not built on human leaders but on the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. This truth is the cornerstone of our faith and the bedrock upon which our spiritual lives are constructed. As believers, we must ensure that everything we do is aligned with this foundational truth, fostering unity and love within the body of Christ. [53:25]
1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV): "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ in your daily life, fostering unity and love within your community?
Day 2: Living Stones in a Spiritual House
We are not inanimate objects but living stones, each playing a unique role in the spiritual house that Jesus is building. Our lives, actions, and gifts contribute to the strength and beauty of the Church. We are interconnected, and our unity is essential for the Church to stand strong. Each believer has a unique role and purpose, and together, we form a vibrant, living community that reflects the glory of God. Recognizing our interconnectedness helps us appreciate the diversity of gifts and callings within the body of Christ. [01:02:15]
1 Peter 2:5 (ESV): "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts and talents to contribute to the strength and unity of your church community?
Day 3: Unity in Diversity
The body of Christ is made up of many members, each with different functions but all essential to the whole. This unity transcends race, social status, and any other human-made divisions. We must recognize and value each other's contributions, understanding that we all have a role to play. Embracing diversity within the Church allows us to experience the fullness of God's creation and His plan for humanity. It is through our collective efforts and mutual respect that we can truly reflect the image of Christ to the world. [01:13:02]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively promote unity and appreciation for diversity within your church or community?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer and Worship
Prayer is our communication with God, and worship is our response to His love and grace. These are essential pillars of the Church that help us grow in spiritual maturity. Through prayer and worship, we align ourselves with God's will and draw strength from His presence. Engaging in regular prayer and worship not only deepens our relationship with God but also strengthens our bond with fellow believers. It is through these practices that we can experience God's transformative power in our lives and communities. [01:29:29]
Colossians 4:2 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer and worship into your daily routine to strengthen your relationship with God?
Day 5: Good Works and Servanthood
The Church is called to be a force for good in the world. Good works are practical expressions of our faith, meeting the needs of others and glorifying God. We are also called to serve, following Jesus' example of humility and selflessness. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. By engaging in acts of service and kindness, we demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us and fulfill our calling as His disciples. [01:40:25]
James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve someone in your community this week. How can you make this act of service a regular part of your life?
Quotes
1. "But the important thing to remember is that Jesus said, I will build my church and even hell cannot prevail against the church that I am building. So Jesus is building his church. Not past the day. How many of you understand that here today? Not past the Rick Warren or David Jeremiah. None of these great preachers that we have across the land. None of these people are building the church. We are just a part of the whole big machinery that God has established for us. But it is Jesus who is building the church." [59:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So Jesus says, I will build my church. And I want you to understand this, that nothing can stop the building of God's church. You know, when the church is persecuted, the church gets stronger. When the enemy comes against the church, the church gets stronger. That's why the church has existed throughout all these years. The early days of the church, in the early days of the church, in the first century and so on, the church came under intense persecution." [01:03:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The trick is to use your gifts to benefit the body of Christ. To use the talents and the giftings that you have. I have found something. You know, a lot of times we place a lot of emphasis on spiritual gifts, and we feel that a spiritual gift, because of the term spiritual gift, is something that only the most holy people get those spiritual gifts. And the most righteous and the most religious people, the people who pray the most get the spiritual gifts. But all of us have talents." [01:20:23] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the word of God will sanctify you. The word of God will keep you. The word of God is your defense. The word of God is your weapon that you will use when the enemy comes against you. And then, we also have fellowship in community. This is important for us here to understand the church is a community of faith. It is a community of faith. Somebody say that with me. A community of faith. Right? And what is a community? A community is where people come together." [01:37:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the church must major in good works. In other words the church must show itself to be an institution that's feeling the felt needs of the community. We must understand what is happening around us and be able at a moment's notice to come on board and say we want to help. We want to be a help. But here's the thing. We can think of the church as an entity in itself or we can think of the church as being us. So if we think of the church as an entity well the church is going to get it done." [01:46:22] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So Jesus said, woman, you don't know what you're talking about. He said, because there's coming a time where neither here on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will people worship. He said, because God is seeking people who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He says, always now. He said, because God is the spirit and God wants people who will worship him in spirit and in truth. In other words, wherever you are, Jesus was saying to this woman at the well, wherever you are and in countries far and wide, people will be worshiping God in their own spaces, where they are." [01:33:13] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So Peter tells us that you are living stones, that we are living stones. In other words, we are not inanimate objects, but we have life. We have breath. We can lift our hands up. We can give God praise. But we make up the building blocks of the church that Jesus is building. So Jesus says, I will build my church. And I want you to understand this, that nothing can stop the building of God's church." [01:02:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So we have many members, he said, but yet it's one body. In fact, he repeats that idea twice in the passage, right? For in fact, the body is not one member, but many, in verse 14, and then later on in verse 20, he says, but now indeed there are many members, yet one body. This idea of the body cannot be understated. Paul wants us to understand that. Amen?" [01:15:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So the thing about the church is that God says that he's building his church and the gates of hell can't prevail. Nothing is going to come against the church. But here's what happens in the local church. The local church chases from within. Very often the people who are within the congregation are the people that causes the church to crumble. How many of you know that? You know, that's a terrible thing when from within we start destroying ourselves." [01:04:59] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So the word of God will sanctify you. The word of God will keep you. The word of God is your defense. The word of God is your weapon that you will use when the enemy comes against you. And then, we also have fellowship in community. This is important for us here to understand the church is a community of faith. It is a community of faith. Somebody say that with me. A community of faith. Right? And what is a community? A community is where people come together." [01:37:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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