WEBVTT 00:00:01.270 --> 00:00:01.720 Sorry. 00:00:01.820 --> 00:00:03.500 So I have this dream. 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:03.840 As a pastor. 00:00:04.260 --> 00:00:04.420 I've only. 00:00:04.760 --> 00:00:06.630 I've almost lived it out once. 00:00:06.880 --> 00:00:09.380 so I don't watch. 00:00:10.540 --> 00:00:13.660 Fake wrestling on TV, but their intro music is so cool. 00:00:14.420 --> 00:00:20.060 I have this dream of just, I want to have somebody come up with this drum like a bandana, just beating it, and it'll be my intro music. 00:00:20.060 --> 00:00:21.000 I'll come down the middle. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:22.560 It'll be fun, right? 00:00:22.560 --> 00:00:27.920 I know that song was about as close as I've felt. 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:28.900 Like I've gotten there for a minute. 00:00:29.180 --> 00:00:30.900 All right, you guys know it. 00:00:30.900 --> 00:00:31.460 You cheered. 00:00:31.460 --> 00:00:32.520 I mean, there's something within you. 00:00:32.520 --> 00:00:33.320 You just want to do it. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:36.360 And I was thinking, um. 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:44.840 As we're moving to this facility, some accidents could happen because this was 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:52.380 a bar, God forbid someone might walk in one day and not have heard the big transition that's taking place. 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:58.570 And I could walk up one Sunday and say, welcome, welcome to the bar accidentally. 00:00:59.020 --> 00:00:59.420 Right. 00:01:00.160 --> 00:01:07.240 And so there's been this small underlying thinking within our church where people have actually 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:12.040 been sending me messages of if that happened, this is what we really meant instead. 00:01:12.380 --> 00:01:14.480 And so I just want to share some of these thoughts with you. 00:01:14.540 --> 00:01:14.700 Okay. 00:01:15.060 --> 00:01:19.380 So if we accidentally say welcome to the bar or what we mean is welcome to church, okay. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:25.080 And when someone says we bought a bar and now means our church is growing okay. 00:01:26.840 --> 00:01:34.300 When someone refers to a bouncer, it's really it's really just an enthusiastic, spirit loving greeter 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:35.490 at our front door. 00:01:35.660 --> 00:01:35.760 Okay. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:44.010 When someone says, I think I need a drink, what they mean is they've accepted Christ and they're ready to be baptized. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:45.860 All right. 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:47.220 When someone says. 00:01:49.580 --> 00:01:50.740 I need some spirits. 00:01:52.460 --> 00:01:54.480 It means I'm hungry for the spiritual, right? 00:01:55.720 --> 00:01:58.120 Or if someone says when's happy hour? 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:00.060 Your immediate response should be Sunday at 1030. 00:02:01.420 --> 00:02:02.040 All right. 00:02:05.370 --> 00:02:06.180 That was the best one. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:07.040 I should have stopped there. 00:02:08.259 --> 00:02:09.259 I got this was the last one. 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:12.940 If someone asks, where is the bartender? 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:16.300 All they're asking is, when are you guys taking communion? 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:17.920 All right, there we go. 00:02:22.920 --> 00:02:29.960 Last week, he started a new series called Rethink Church. 00:02:30.380 --> 00:02:37.480 And it was important for us as a believers to begin that series on Rethink Church by examining one central question 00:02:37.550 --> 00:02:39.960 to us in our faith and who we are in light of who Jesus is. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:43.860 And that is rethink Jesus. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:46.060 And what is it you think about Jesus? 00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:50.860 What did the Bible say about Jesus and who is Jesus to us? 00:02:52.760 --> 00:02:59.680 The simple thought that we carried with us last week is that Jesus is King representing his kingdom. 00:03:00.200 --> 00:03:03.800 And if you don't believe me at the end of revelation, I think it's in chapter 19 and verse six. 00:03:03.880 --> 00:03:05.920 It paints this glorious picture of Christ. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:10.100 Philippians two tells us that he comes as a humble servant, even though he's king. 00:03:10.660 --> 00:03:12.700 He comes as a humble servant to serve you. 00:03:12.700 --> 00:03:18.320 And then at the end of revelation, you get this glorious picture of Jesus riding in on a white horse. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:26.140 And it literally he's robe is dipped in blood, and he's got a tattoo on his thigh that says, Lord of Lords and King of 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:26.520 Kings. 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:33.940 He comes back as reigning king had a youth who used to attend our church, who recently moved 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:35.500 and came back. 00:03:35.640 --> 00:03:36.370 Is that work now? 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:38.000 Wonderful. 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:38.510 He came back. 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:40.280 Or. 00:03:40.320 --> 00:03:40.660 Excuse me? 00:03:40.660 --> 00:03:44.120 He didn't come back. 00:03:44.160 --> 00:03:44.160 He called me. 00:03:44.160 --> 00:03:45.240 And he's at that stage in his life where he's thinking about tattoos, right? 00:03:46.300 --> 00:03:53.300 And he looks up on the internet about tattoos and finds that the Bible says in the book of Leviticus, do not get tattoos and worship 00:03:53.620 --> 00:03:55.160 of the dead. 00:03:56.100 --> 00:03:58.620 I asked him, are you worshiping the dead? 00:03:59.420 --> 00:04:00.460 And he said, no. 00:04:00.720 --> 00:04:06.510 And then I said, well, you might be interested to know this as you're battling your theology out as to whether or not you should get a tattoo. 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:13.040 Revelation 19 says, Jesus got a tattoo, and so he was blown away. 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:15.980 Oh my goodness, he's got Lord of Lords written on his thigh. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:18.160 Oh, this totally changes my thinking. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:19.380 And I know what you parents are thinking. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:23.170 You want to cover your teenagers ears right now and say, don't say that, so I can't. 00:04:23.260 --> 00:04:24.000 It's hard enough right now. 00:04:24.280 --> 00:04:24.940 They don't want to write. 00:04:25.440 --> 00:04:30.340 But this is what I would say to you as parents if you're going to take the verse literally, it was Jesus who got it. 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:33.580 And if you get the tattoo, you've got to put it on your thigh, okay? 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:35.120 And it says Lord of Lords. 00:04:35.200 --> 00:04:36.920 That's kind of it's kind of a weird rendition. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:39.330 So to take that literally, it doesn't happen. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:47.340 But the importance is what Jesus is displaying in the book of revelation is to say to us, he is King of kings, 00:04:47.360 --> 00:04:48.140 and he is Lord of lords. 00:04:49.960 --> 00:04:56.830 And as you begin to get Jesus's position, his authority, and his place in your life. 00:04:57.300 --> 00:04:57.400 Correct? 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:05.680 The rest of what God desires to do is to work in you and through you, and transform your life. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:15.000 And the place that Jesus has called us to gather together, to discover who he is and who we are in light of him, and 00:05:15.260 --> 00:05:21.370 worship and celebration together and honor of our King is a place we call the church. 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:24.480 We worship as a church. 00:05:26.080 --> 00:05:33.260 And so this morning, as we rethink church, we've rethought our identity of who Christ is and who we are in 00:05:33.260 --> 00:05:33.980 light of him. 00:05:34.260 --> 00:05:41.720 But now this morning, we're going to talk about now what it means to be a part of the church, to rethink the purpose for which Jesus created 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:42.520 the church. 00:05:44.340 --> 00:05:51.040 And from the time of the nation of Israel, God has displayed the importance of a congregational home for worship. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:57.840 Beginning almost 15 centuries before the coming of Christ Jesus took the nation. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:03.880 Or excuse me, the Lord took the nation of Israel, and he called them to build a place that we refer to as the Tabernacle. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:13.100 Literally says in Exodus chapter 25 and verse eight, build me a dwelling place that I may tabernacle, or I may dwell with 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:13.800 the people. 00:06:15.640 --> 00:06:20.700 Bible describes it as occurring at the time of Moses that God gave the nation of Israel this direction. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:21.340 The. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:27.000 The tabernacle was a makeshift tent like worship facility that they would carry with them wherever they went. 00:06:27.080 --> 00:06:30.320 It's sort of like where we've been the last 4 or 5 years as a church family. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:31.260 Where's our new home? 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:32.700 I don't know what will hold us. 00:06:32.740 --> 00:06:33.740 I don't know where can we fit? 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:34.580 Let's just go. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:42.180 Moses and the nation of Israel built the tabernacle that the Lord may dwell among them. 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:46.980 As the nation of Israel eventually entered into the land of Canaan. 00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:55.440 God directed King David to begin to gather the materials to build a temple, and under his son Solomon, the temple 00:06:55.440 --> 00:06:56.380 was built. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:06:58.680 First Kings. 00:06:59.560 --> 00:07:05.180 Chapter eight shares with us the dedication of that temple for the nation of Israel. 00:07:06.640 --> 00:07:09.710 Solomon gathers the people together as the temple was complete. 00:07:11.020 --> 00:07:16.740 And as the king, he offers a prayer before the Lord on behalf of the people. 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:18.780 So text. 00:07:18.820 --> 00:07:20.730 I just want to share just a little bit with you this morning. 00:07:20.760 --> 00:07:23.360 We're not going to dive significantly into it. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.840 But it comes in First Kings in chapter eight. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:34.920 And I got to tell you in reading this text this week and studying what Solomon was saying to the nation of Israel as he prayed this 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:39.660 prayer, there was a lot of emotional thought going on in my mind. 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:44.780 We didn't build something to the magnitude through which Solomon had built. 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:48.590 We've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in this place. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:57.320 You can imagine as this king desiring to have this place complete, that the nation of Israel could gather together and worship what 00:07:57.320 --> 00:07:58.740 this moment was like. 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:04.500 And we were laboring last week, Saturday night, up until 2 a.m. 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:11.640 we had people here working on this facility so that on Sunday morning we could gather together and worship and the people that were here, there was not a not 00:08:11.640 --> 00:08:18.700 a whole lot of time to just stop and think about what God was doing because our we had our noses down and we were just working hard trying to 00:08:18.700 --> 00:08:19.680 see this building complete. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:21.600 And finally. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:24.140 On a Sunday morning. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:26.500 Somebody came up to me. 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:27.670 It was a very tortuous of them. 00:08:28.820 --> 00:08:32.330 They said to me, today is going to be an emotional release for you. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:33.850 What are you talking about? 00:08:35.039 --> 00:08:40.940 Well, you've been working so hard, you haven't had time just to sit back and stop and just and just reflect on what God has done. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:49.480 Nah, they said to me, I don't even know how you're going to get through the message, because it's going to be so emotional for you that if you say anything 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.550 today, it's going to be miraculous. 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:57.080 Well, maybe, but I don't, I don't know. 00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:59.280 And we practice our morning music. 00:08:59.280 --> 00:09:06.540 And I got off the stage and I walked down to the chairs, and the first person I see is from this town who thought 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:12.670 about what it would be to have a church in the city and dreamed about a location to worship for the body of believers, and all they said was Hallelujah! 00:09:14.780 --> 00:09:15.210 And I lost. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:20.960 I just took off out the door and ran into my study and wept like a baby. 00:09:21.660 --> 00:09:23.900 That released their lust. 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:26.610 Do you wonder why I didn't cry on Sunday morning? 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:29.180 I had my time in the in the in the back. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:33.010 Now think about this as I read this text. 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.730 Just having a home to worship. 00:09:39.020 --> 00:09:46.200 A place where God's people gather together to proclaim his name, and the thought of Solomon lifting up his voice in 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:46.850 prayer. 00:09:46.920 --> 00:09:50.620 And this being more than just words, his heart just pouring into this moment. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:59.640 I took this prayer for us, and I've I've taken out a few things that related to the nation of Israel, and I've inserted things to make it relevant to us. 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:01.360 You'll see it in parentheses on the screen. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.260 But this is what Solomon said. 00:10:03.420 --> 00:10:04.500 Then the Lord stood. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:05.200 Excuse me. 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:12.340 Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spreading out his hands towards heaven, and said, Lord, the God of Israel, 00:10:12.340 --> 00:10:19.440 there is no God like you in heaven, above or on earth below you, who keep your covenant of love with your servants, 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.640 who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 00:10:22.780 --> 00:10:28.810 You have kept your promise to us with your mouth you have promised, and with your hands you have fulfilled it as it is today. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.920 But will God really dwell on earth? 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:35.360 The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:38.980 How much less this building which we have built. 00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:45.320 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. 00:10:45.640 --> 00:10:49.540 Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:57.000 May your eyes be open toward this building night and day, this place of which you said, my name shall be there, so that you will 00:10:57.260 --> 00:10:59.280 hear the prayer of your servants. 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:01.360 Prayers towards this place. 00:11:02.400 --> 00:11:06.860 Here are the supplication of your servant and of your people when they pray toward this place. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.880 Hear from heaven your dwelling place. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:13.240 And when you hear, Lord, forgive. 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:18.460 I love the way that Solomon concludes the dedication of this prayer for the nation of Israel. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:27.340 Because the focus that Solomon puts on at the end isn't necessarily the building, but what God does within the building and the people of God is the Lord 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:28.260 moves within their hearts. 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:30.560 He says, Lord, forgive God. 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:35.140 As we look at this building, we're thinking about our relationship with you. 00:11:35.140 --> 00:11:39.780 And so God, as we call upon your voice in prayer, Lord, forgive. 00:11:41.900 --> 00:11:47.540 We know as the transition takes place within Scripture between the Old Testament and the new. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:52.640 The purpose of the Old Testament and the temple. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:12:01.180 The temple was erected to display to the nation of Israel everything that the Messiah would fill fulfill 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:01.660 at his coming. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:10.360 As you walked within the temple, you would come to the Altar of Sacrifice and the wash basin, demonstrating to 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.160 the nation of Israel. 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:15.760 Jesus would be the sacrifice for them, and Jesus would be the cleansing for them. 00:12:16.260 --> 00:12:20.100 You walked into the holy place where the priests could go inside of the holy place. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:20.460 You would see. 00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:25.620 You would see the burning of incense and the table of bread and the lampstand. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:34.440 Demonstrating to the nation of Israel that God desires to commune with you at your table, and God desires for you to lift up your voice to 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:35.740 him in prayer through the incense. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:39.300 And the Holy Spirit will indwell you like fire as the lampstand. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.540 And into the Holy of Holies. 00:12:43.920 --> 00:12:44.680 Was the Shekinah glory. 00:12:46.420 --> 00:12:53.320 The mercy seat of God, where they would sacrifice once a year an animal and go before this mercy seat and apply his blood. 00:12:54.520 --> 00:13:01.520 This is where the Shekinah glory, the presence of God was known to the nation of Israel, where he tabernacled among them. 00:13:03.760 --> 00:13:10.920 And the Bible tells us that Jesus came and he fulfilled all that the temple proclaims for us in Hebrews 8 to 10. 00:13:10.940 --> 00:13:17.240 It tells us the story in the three chapters of Jesus fulfilling the demonstration of what the temple was about. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.400 And so the Bible tells us. 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.690 That the temple. 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.540 Moves from the building. 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:29.040 Into the heart of God's people. 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:31.330 John chapter four. 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:34.380 The story goes that Jesus visits the woman at the well. 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:38.620 In verse 18 she begins to ask Jesus, Jesus, where do we worship you? 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.680 She was a Samaritan, and the Samaritans had their own place of worship. 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:44.040 And Jesus was a Jew from Jerusalem. 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.780 And the Jews had their own place of worship. 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:51.070 And the ladies asking Jesus, Jesus, do we go to the Samaritan temple or do we go to the Jerusalem temple? 00:13:51.380 --> 00:13:53.400 Jesus which temple do we worship you in? 00:13:53.400 --> 00:13:56.540 And Jesus says to the lady, he begins to respond to, time is coming. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:14:01.080 And now is that he who worships me must worship me in spirit and in truth. 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:08.050 You will neither worship in Sumeria nor Jerusalem, but in spirit you will gather and worship my name. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:16.540 The temple was a place to see the future promised, fulfilled of Christ and the church as the place to proclaim the finishing work 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:18.440 of Christ in our lives. 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:24.960 The Bible tells us in those moments that the temple relocated. 00:14:27.260 --> 00:14:28.940 As Jesus became our sacrifice. 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:36.330 It tells us in first Corinthians chapter three and verse 16, first Corinthians chapter six and verse 19, he asks it in the form of the question, 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:40.380 I didn't put the question mark up here, but says, do you not know that you are the temple of God? 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.220 I'm the Spirit of God. 00:14:45.020 --> 00:14:45.940 Dwells within you. 00:14:47.880 --> 00:14:48.220 The Bible. 00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:56.380 It's changed from this location to the temple and now into the church, into the life of the individual. 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:01.460 But that didn't take away from the significance of corporate gathering. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:05.920 It tells us in Hebrews chapter ten, do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:15.190 You know, the interesting thing about the word church that we use within our culture today is that the Bible never says, let's go to church. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.630 You know, the Bible never says. 00:15:18.780 --> 00:15:19.900 And we went to church today. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:23.180 Because you are the church. 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:27.360 The people who gathered together in Jesus's name. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.340 You are the church. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:31.500 Wherever you go, you represent Christ in this world. 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.560 You are the church. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:36.640 And so when the Bible talks about gathering for church or going to church, it doesn't mention it that way. 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:42.920 It says, and we assembled together, or we congregated among the believers as his church. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:46.110 But they never went to church. 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:52.880 Within the first century as Jesus proclaimed his kingdom and his salvation. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:16:00.300 The Bible tells us that the church began to gather at synagogues, and when the church revolts or excuse me, when the Jews revolted against Jesus and kicked 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.610 the church out of the synagogues. 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:09.060 Very early on, the church began to build buildings for worship because they understood the significance and importance of having a home and having a family 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:14.000 where we could gather together and spiritually encourage one another and seek the face of the Lord. 00:16:16.300 --> 00:16:17.340 You know, the church isn't the building. 00:16:19.020 --> 00:16:20.440 I would say you're absolutely right. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:29.200 But the building is the place where we can continue to grow and learn and encourage one another. 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:38.120 The beauty of the building isn't the building itself, but it's what happens within the heart of God's people as God stirs within us. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:46.900 And so this morning when we talk about dedicating a facility for the Lord, we're not necessarily dedicating just the building to 00:16:46.900 --> 00:16:47.320 God. 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:54.560 We're dedicating the people of God as they seek his face, that this building may be used for his glory and goodness as 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:56.140 long as the Lord tarries. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:01.320 And so the question I'm going to answer for us this morning. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.359 Because what should a church building. 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:09.010 Say about the church. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:14.960 What should the church building say about us as a church family? 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:23.500 Knowing that Jesus has made this transition from the Old Testament temple to the New Testament church, I would say 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:30.620 it's significant for us not only look at the Old Testament dedication of the Temple of Solomon gave, but to also look at the promises that Jesus talked about 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:32.620 when he established this church. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:39.100 One of the biggest promises that I think of in light of Christ comes in Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18. 00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:43.520 Jesus says this to us in this passage. 00:17:43.780 --> 00:17:50.860 I say also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:52.920 will not overpower it. 00:17:55.540 --> 00:17:57.840 Well, Jesus is saying to Peter. 00:17:58.260 --> 00:18:00.640 Peter had just been asked, who do you say that I am? 00:18:00.800 --> 00:18:02.700 And Peter says, you are the Christ. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:06.360 And this is actually where Peter gets his name, Peter. 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:13.040 And Jesus's response to Peter, he says, he says to him that you are Peter. 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:18.860 And he's saying to Peter, Peter, you are this small rock based on your profession, that I am Christ. 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.720 Peter, you are this small rock. 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:25.110 And then he says, upon this rock I will build my church upon this large boulder. 00:18:25.520 --> 00:18:30.990 Jesus is saying in the Greek text, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:40.200 Jesus is recognizing to Peter that the profession that Peter has made in Christ has established him as a little 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:42.940 rock upon this big rock, which is Christ. 00:18:45.260 --> 00:18:52.440 Peter reflected upon this later in his life and in first Peter in chapter two, he says, we're all these living stones being built 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:59.520 up together in Christ, upon which the foundation is Christ, who is the chief cornerstone on which the building 00:18:59.520 --> 00:19:00.120 stands. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:10.800 Jesus is sharing us in this verse, and this is the only verse that we're going to draw to context to this morning. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:15.080 So if you have a Bible, turn to Matthew chapter 16. 00:19:15.780 --> 00:19:17.740 We'll follow along as we share within this verse. 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:23.660 But we're going to talk about four promises about what a church building should say about the church. 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:26.600 And the first is this. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:29.940 The church is built upon a promise. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.100 When Jesus built the church. 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.520 He did something that had been different. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:40.870 He built something that was different than had been done in years past. 00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:47.320 Jesus gives this statement and in his opening remark to Peter, I will build my church. 00:19:48.820 --> 00:19:55.360 Meaning he's saying to Peter, Peter, what I am about to do has not been done before, but in the near future I'm about to do this. 00:19:55.400 --> 00:20:02.400 And what I'm going to do for you is I want you to know that based upon your profession in me, I am going to build 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.280 this church. 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:10.680 Jesus is giving a proclamation of change that's due to the fulfillment of Christ. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.500 In Hebrews nine. 00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:16.200 It tells us why that could happen for us as believers. 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:23.580 It says, but when Christ appeared, he entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:29.060 of this creation, and not through the blood of goats, but through his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:34.960 How much more will the blood of Christ, who is through the eternal spirit, offered himself without blemish to God? 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:38.220 Cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.320 What is he talking about? 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:48.760 Well, Jesus is explaining what's being explained in Hebrews chapter eight to Hebrews chapter ten is the fulfillment that Christ brought within 00:20:48.760 --> 00:20:49.600 the temple. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:53.480 And Jesus is being described in this passage of Scripture. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:59.780 It tells us in chapter eight that when Moses built the temple, what he saw was a picture of something more glorious to come. 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:04.920 He saw a picture and a shadow of the heavenly temple in which Christ dwelt. 00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:13.380 And when Jesus comes upon the scene, he says that in the foreshadowing of the Old Testament temple, Jesus has come and he's fulfilled all these things, 00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:18.960 and he's taken these things up to the new, the New Testament, the heavenly temple through which he dwells. 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:25.320 And his sacrifice has been more than enough. 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:29.640 Jesus's church is built upon a promise. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:38.160 And as Jesus fulfilled his promise through his death, burial, and resurrection, the church has 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.910 been born. 00:21:40.600 --> 00:21:47.660 The Bible says this unto him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.460 world without end. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:52.020 Amen. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.160 Promise is this. 00:21:54.320 --> 00:22:01.600 When the church was built upon the rock that is Christ, the church throughout all ages would continue to move forward, proclaiming 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:03.510 his glorious name. 00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:12.100 The church is built upon a promise because Jesus is our leader who is faithful to fulfill. 00:22:13.020 --> 00:22:15.210 He says, I will build my church. 00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:18.160 The church belongs to Christ. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:20.700 His power has been made known. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:24.460 He has overcome the grave, and he has the power to overcome the grave. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:27.010 He is the power to give you as he has promised. 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:31.820 The Bible tells us in Colossians 118, he is also the head of the body. 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:33.820 The church is built upon a promise. 00:22:34.260 --> 00:22:36.940 And what should a building say about the church? 00:22:37.080 --> 00:22:40.460 The church lives and the promise that Christ has given us. 00:22:43.070 --> 00:22:44.040 Second is this. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:52.050 The church is the place where Christ's power is made known. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:57.610 Look at what Jesus says about the effects that the church will have on this world. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:04.760 And upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades are hell. 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:06.440 Will not overpower it. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:14.040 It's saying to us, the church is a place where Christ's power is made known. 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:21.540 The church is built literally to attack the gates of hell, saying to us as a church, stop worrying about 00:23:21.540 --> 00:23:27.380 what the world is doing to the church and start worrying about what the church is doing to the world. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:30.680 The picture goes like this. 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:38.160 Jesus is having within his mind this word picture for us that this stronghold has been created, this castle, 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:40.580 this fortress, and it represents hell. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:49.120 And the church is what Jesus has called into this world, this mobile force built within him upon his promises. 00:23:49.780 --> 00:23:52.580 And as they approach the gates of hell. 00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:54.240 Nothing. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:55.800 Can stop. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.980 The church is built on a promise. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:04.060 The church is a place where Christ's power is made known. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:08.770 And so the important thing for us to recognize within this verse. 00:24:10.760 --> 00:24:12.580 As you look to the gates of hell. 00:24:12.760 --> 00:24:15.560 I read this verse for myself and I got to say, it's like that intro song. 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.380 It just pumps me up. 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:19.880 I'm I want, I want my WWF music to come back on. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.760 When I see this, I will build my church. 00:24:22.020 --> 00:24:29.440 Get the hell are, get big or whatever, I don't know, it does that for me. 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.320 Where's the gate? 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.430 I need to know. 00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:32.460 I'm a part of the church. 00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:39.880 Jesus is saying something important to this. 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.140 Within the context of this verse. 00:24:42.280 --> 00:24:42.780 Who does the building? 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.600 Jesus. 00:24:47.100 --> 00:24:47.480 It's not me. 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.680 It's not my power. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.560 It's not my authority. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.420 So. 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.540 Jesus. 00:24:56.080 --> 00:25:01.160 Meaning, I'm serious about seeing the things that Jesus wishes to storm down within me. 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.320 Who represents the church? 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:06.000 The power through which that happens is found within me. 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:07.580 Within Jesus. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:14.660 And so the call within this passage of scriptures to remember that Jesus does the building within you. 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.940 You're not going to storm down anything. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.540 Unless you allow Christ to build within you. 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:25.860 Remember that Jesus does the building. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:32.360 Remember that you're able to live for Christ by the power of Christ that builds within you. 00:25:34.280 --> 00:25:41.420 And what it's saying to us as a church, if you're serious and moving forward, if you're serious about the location, if you're if you're serious about Christ, then your walk 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:47.340 with God is important because the power of the church rests in your relationship with the Lord. 00:25:50.060 --> 00:25:51.120 It's not about legalism. 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:53.320 It's not about these tasks. 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:56.240 People get these weird ideas about what the church is about. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:26:01.860 It's about your relationship in Christ and resting in him and allowing the Lord to build you up in him. 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:09.020 The church is a place that's built on a promise, and the church is a place where Christ's power is made known. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.080 Third is this. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:15.340 The church is coming for the world. 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.260 As Jesus came for the world. 00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:20.560 The accountant can sound creepy. 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:23.260 It's like Nightmare on Elm Street. 00:26:23.760 --> 00:26:25.860 We're coming for you. 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.040 We're coming. 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.160 That's not. 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:28.260 That's not what I mean by that. 00:26:28.340 --> 00:26:31.860 The church is coming for the world as Jesus came for the world. 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:36.640 Jesus painted a picture of the church's approach for the world. 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:43.360 When God built the temple in the Old Testament, he invited the world to come and worship within the temple. 00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:48.500 When God built the church, he sent the church out to engage the world. 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:54.920 The church is coming for the world as Jesus came for the world. 00:26:56.760 --> 00:26:58.380 He asked this question about this text. 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:03.240 You know, if you were to break down this gate, what do you do? 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.780 Charge to the gate. 00:27:06.780 --> 00:27:08.240 You can imagine this fortress. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.620 Yeah. 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.480 Jesus built me up. 00:27:09.540 --> 00:27:10.250 Knocking down the gate. 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.270 You get inside and you're like. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.660 And now what? 00:27:14.820 --> 00:27:17.920 I mean, when you stormed down the gates of hell, what does that even like? 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:20.060 And what does that look like for our lives? 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:22.220 We knock down this iron bar and nothing. 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:26.600 When Jesus talks about. 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.900 The breaking down of the gates. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:32.380 And storming down the gates of hell. 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.990 What we're after is a church family. 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:42.480 As the rescuing and the building up of people in Christ. 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:51.460 When you look at the context of this verse, the background to the story in which Jesus is sharing for us in Matthew 16, it says to us, 00:27:51.540 --> 00:27:54.760 he said to them, but who do you say that I am? 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:59.560 And Simon Peter answered, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:06.320 And Jesus said to him, blessed are you, Simon Barjona because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my father who is in heaven. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:12.440 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the kingdom of heaven. 00:28:12.760 --> 00:28:15.660 And whatever you excuse me, I'll give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:18.460 And whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:20.920 And whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:30.240 And what Jesus is saying to Peter, the way that the church is built, the way that the church even begins to grow, is they 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:33.810 have an understanding of who I am, and they place their faith in that. 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.740 As they placed their faith in me. 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:38.540 They're born into the body of Christ. 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:41.340 So he says to Peter, Peter, blessed are you. 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:49.880 Blessed are you for where your faith has brought you in this, because it wasn't someone who just revealed this to you, it was your father in heaven. 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:53.360 As we have proclaimed the goodness of what Jesus is all about. 00:28:55.780 --> 00:29:01.600 The gates of hell have been stormed down in Peter's life, and he's come to see Jesus. 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.480 And what Jesus then says to Peter is that. 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.900 And I will build my church as you rest within me. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.520 You grow strong. 00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:15.140 You grow strong and you storm down those gates. 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:19.460 And Jesus gives this description to us as the keys to the kingdom. 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:25.220 This doesn't mean that something weird happens as we get these keys to the kingdom. 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:31.800 Like you don't all of a sudden have these wonderful powers or these supernatural things that other people don't have. 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:34.680 What Jesus is saying here rests solely in the context of his gospel. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:44.980 What Jesus is saying to Peter at the time that Peter was alive, if you were in charge of a city, the city likely had a fortress around it, and the people that 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:51.650 were in charge of that city had gates to the kingdom, and they were in charge of who came in and who came out of those gates. 00:29:52.780 --> 00:29:59.060 And what Jesus is saying to Peter, Peter, you've got this message on which this church has been built. 00:29:59.060 --> 00:30:06.420 And as you proclaim this message and as people are accepting this message, you're unlocking these gates and people are entering out 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:09.260 of the gates of hell and into a relationship with Christ. 00:30:11.130 --> 00:30:14.130 You have the keys to the kingdom. 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:19.340 The church is coming for the world as Jesus came for the world. 00:30:21.560 --> 00:30:27.980 Are these weird ideas of what we should do in church as far as the way it should be structured and the activities that need to be there and all that. 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:32.780 But when you break it down to the bottom line, it's all all about relationships. 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:42.160 It's all about your relationship to Christ and growing in light of that relationship with him, that you may see the body of 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:46.100 Christ being built up together and the glory of Christ being proclaimed. 00:30:48.080 --> 00:30:50.860 Jesus said it a different way in Matthew four. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.320 Follow me. 00:30:54.560 --> 00:30:55.340 And I will make you fishers. 00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:55.680 Of what? 00:30:57.850 --> 00:30:58.500 Man. 00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:03.100 And you don't have the church Jesus wants to build without people. 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:09.680 And so Jesus is saying to us, come to me so that you may go to the world. 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.300 Fourth is this. 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.740 This is the last point I'm going to make. 00:31:17.280 --> 00:31:20.540 The church is powerfully contagious. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:24.720 When it is resting in Christ. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:29.730 I want to say that again, because it's very important for us to understand that. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.970 Maybe I should say the church is only. 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:40.840 Powerfully contagious or should only be powerfully contagious when it is resting in Christ. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:49.160 I was reading in the Old Testament about Solomon building the temple, and everything that happened after that makes me really worried. 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:52.080 You look at the history of the nation of Israel. 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:55.740 After Solomon built the temple, the glory years of Israel ended. 00:31:57.340 --> 00:31:59.220 Everything after that was just downhill. 00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:02.220 To the point they lost their kingdom. 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.140 They lost their land. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:05.200 It wasn't until the 1950s that they got it back. 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:10.580 And the temple still hasn't even been built for Israel. 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:13.360 There's a there's another place of worship there. 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:25.020 Seeing what happened to the Old Testament after the temple was built raises a little concern in my in my mind about coming to 00:32:25.020 --> 00:32:26.220 a place of resting and just stopping. 00:32:27.360 --> 00:32:29.520 Resting and enjoying what the Lord is down, but then just stopping. 00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:37.200 We read the picture of what Jesus is saying here, and you see it in the context of the Bible. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:41.500 What did it look like when Jesus gave this promise to the disciples to go into the world? 00:32:41.760 --> 00:32:43.640 Not even the gates of hell would stop them. 00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:45.810 What did that look like in the early church? 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.060 How? 00:32:46.280 --> 00:32:46.900 How do we look? 00:32:47.020 --> 00:32:52.010 Like a gate storming group of people coming to proclaim the name of Christ in this world? 00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:58.360 The church is powerfully contagious when it's resting in Christ. 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:06.320 If I told you this morning, there is this dude, and we're living in the medieval ages, and there is this dude, and he goes around and all he 00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:10.290 does is he blows up these city gates and he wants everyone to come and watch you. 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:11.120 You know what I would do? 00:33:12.180 --> 00:33:16.680 I would see that and that would, wow, this guy blows this thing up. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.380 We can just go see. 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.560 It just explodes in the air. 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:19.500 Take me there. 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.860 There's no 4th of July at that time. 00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:22.020 That's the closest thing we'll get. 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.900 That's exciting. 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.100 It's contagious. 00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:31.380 I think in this world people tend to be attracted to life. 00:33:31.540 --> 00:33:33.960 And they desire things that make a difference. 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:39.600 And when you read the context of this verse, you get the indication. 00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:44.280 Jesus didn't send us in this world to just simply survive. 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:47.790 He sent into the world to thrive. 00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:52.820 I know it's important to be protective. 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:56.120 The Bible tells us, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:59.680 But the Bible also tells us to get off your rump. 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:03.070 And share what the Lord has done. 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:06.660 People are attracted to life. 00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:12.880 And so when we ask ourselves this question, Jesus gave this promise to the church of storming down the gates of hell as the resting in him. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.920 What did it look like for the first century? 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:23.480 You have nowhere in the Bible where you can go, and it describes for you exactly how a church service is supposed to function. 00:34:25.239 --> 00:34:25.639 I like that. 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.920 And there's details that the Bible gives for us. 00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:33.139 There's certain liberties that Scripture gives to us and the way that we want to function in our church service. 00:34:33.520 --> 00:34:38.900 But when you read in the passage of Scripture very early on in the book of acts, it begins to describe for us the church on the move. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:42.860 In acts chapter two and verse 41. 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:47.610 It's describing really one of the first gatherings of celebration the church has together. 00:34:49.040 --> 00:34:53.460 Says they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching, which for us is the Bible. 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:57.200 And to fellowship in the breaking of bread and to prayer. 00:34:58.360 --> 00:35:05.440 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles and all those who had believed were together and 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.800 had all things in common. 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:13.220 And they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as everyone might have need. 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:22.200 Day by day, continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:25.820 gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:30.030 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 00:35:31.740 --> 00:35:32.780 I had church every day. 00:35:34.420 --> 00:35:35.410 I didn't look at it like a building. 00:35:37.100 --> 00:35:40.520 I looked at themselves as people representing Christ wherever they went. 00:35:43.200 --> 00:35:50.490 Recognizing for us that God has given us avenues to connect with him in this world and connect other people to him in this world. 00:35:52.090 --> 00:35:56.620 And so they were devoted to the Word of God, to discover this God that they've come to know. 00:35:56.620 --> 00:36:00.620 And they were gathering together to celebrate what God was doing in their lives. 00:36:00.660 --> 00:36:04.980 And they were communing together and breaking bread together and having fellowship with one another. 00:36:05.020 --> 00:36:08.800 And they were open in prayer and communication to God and for one another. 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:13.080 The church. 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:14.920 Was living. 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.830 And a contagious way. 00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:21.650 And I love the response it says at the end of this passage. 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:28.440 Do you want to know what kind of effect that has on people to see Jesus genuinely lived out in your life? 00:36:28.540 --> 00:36:32.200 Not this fake Jesus, but a Jesus that you proclaim that matches your lifestyle. 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:34.740 Do you know what kind of effect that has on people? 00:36:36.040 --> 00:36:41.340 It tells us in verse 47, and the Lord was adding to their numbers day by day those who were being saved. 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:48.360 And I'm not big on, taking attendance and counting numbers. 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:53.540 But do you know a strong indication within our lives that Jesus is working in our lives? 00:36:54.600 --> 00:36:55.460 Is that the body of Christ grows. 00:36:58.160 --> 00:36:58.740 It's not about numbers. 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:08.020 But if we're living the way that God has called us to live in, storming down the gates, we're going through the gates, grabbing people, proclaiming Jesus's 00:37:08.020 --> 00:37:09.700 name, and God is adding to our numbers. 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:14.000 When you're healthy in the Lord, you can't help but grow. 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.560 It's contagious to God. 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:22.100 I guess it's a good thing we've moved from location to location, right? 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:23.260 I love the way it says it. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:30.340 In acts chapter four and verse 20, we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:30.580 heard. 00:37:33.880 --> 00:37:34.700 I think the world. 00:37:36.200 --> 00:37:38.260 The starved for Christ. 00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:43.400 Looking for a church that's not here to survive, but to thrive. 00:37:43.600 --> 00:37:48.220 Looking for a church that's not interested in what the world is doing to you, but what you're doing to the world. 00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:51.960 I got a confession to make. 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:54.170 I am a not I'm not a secret fan. 00:37:54.240 --> 00:37:56.980 I am a publicly pronounced fan of Duck Dynasty. 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:57.760 All right. 00:37:58.910 --> 00:37:59.360 And. 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:02.020 Happy, happy happy, right? 00:38:03.160 --> 00:38:05.800 And I was watching an interview. 00:38:06.160 --> 00:38:13.200 I know these men proclaimed to follow after the Lord with their life, and I was watching an interview with the father in charge of the who started 00:38:13.200 --> 00:38:17.000 this business on Duck Dynasty and the A and E producers who made the show. 00:38:18.220 --> 00:38:19.400 And this is how the show started. 00:38:20.080 --> 00:38:23.720 This is what the at least the father said about why A and E started the show. 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:27.690 He said some producers were sitting in a room and they got this novel idea. 00:38:28.520 --> 00:38:34.580 How cool would it be if we created a reality TV show with a functional family? 00:38:36.200 --> 00:38:36.840 You think about that. 00:38:37.540 --> 00:38:39.440 What if we showed what a little. 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:43.900 I mean, they're a little eccentric, but what if we showed how a normal, how a normal family would function? 00:38:44.000 --> 00:38:44.640 I'm from West Virginia. 00:38:44.640 --> 00:38:46.120 It looks normal to me on TV. 00:38:46.120 --> 00:38:49.500 Like, well, that's my relatives. 00:38:50.910 --> 00:38:52.060 It's like I'm being at home. 00:38:53.240 --> 00:38:53.880 What would it look like? 00:38:55.080 --> 00:38:57.910 What would it look like if we showed a functional family on television? 00:38:59.960 --> 00:39:05.440 And the guy the father was talking about, this novel idea that they found and they looked for a family that would still entertain. 00:39:06.100 --> 00:39:07.660 And he said, you know what's happened since then? 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:14.860 I have seen within our own church, people are finding where our church is and even people who proclaim that God doesn't even exist. 00:39:16.060 --> 00:39:18.300 And they're seeing our family at the end of every show. 00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:19.500 We always gather together. 00:39:19.500 --> 00:39:21.760 We love each other, and we recognize God in our lives. 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:25.400 They see that, and they're looking at their own family and their own life. 00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:27.320 And you're saying they're saying, we don't have that. 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:31.450 Whatever it is that they have, we need. 00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:38.120 And so they're coming to the church because they're demonstrating in their lives what it means to storm down the gates of hell. 00:39:39.260 --> 00:39:40.400 Resting in the Lord. 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.730 Proclaiming his goodness. 00:39:46.040 --> 00:39:50.130 We're unable to stop speaking about what we've seen and heard. 00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.240 Here's what we want this morning. 00:39:53.760 --> 00:39:54.000 Let's draw conclusions. 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:58.500 We don't want to post building identity crisis. 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:05.870 Meaning once the building is built, we stop and we recognize and appreciate what the Lord's done. 00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:08.340 But my eyes are on the prize. 00:40:10.560 --> 00:40:11.140 Looking to the Lord. 00:40:13.060 --> 00:40:14.220 And I'm thinking about the gates. 00:40:16.100 --> 00:40:18.210 Remember what Jesus built this place for? 00:40:19.740 --> 00:40:21.860 Has built the place that he can proclaim to you. 00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.360 He loves you. 00:40:22.780 --> 00:40:24.900 He desires to lead you. 00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:27.800 He desires to build you in his glory. 00:40:27.900 --> 00:40:29.460 To unify you as a body. 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:31.020 To reconcile you to himself. 00:40:31.080 --> 00:40:34.280 To commune with you and powerfully work through you. 00:40:37.160 --> 00:40:37.720 And God uses buildings. 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:40.140 Change lives. 00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:43.660 Forever. 00:40:44.420 --> 00:40:45.840 If I were to sum it up, I would say this. 00:40:47.860 --> 00:40:48.420 This building. 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:51.660 This building is here to rest. 00:40:52.620 --> 00:40:53.940 And the promises of Christ. 00:40:55.660 --> 00:41:02.900 To storm down gates as you allow Jesus to build you up, and to fish out people from behind 00:41:02.900 --> 00:41:04.660 those gates. 00:41:06.340 --> 00:41:07.660 As a church family this morning. 00:41:07.700 --> 00:41:08.670 I'm just going to ask you to stand. 00:41:13.780 --> 00:41:15.330 I want to pray for us for just a moment. 00:41:16.600 --> 00:41:17.580 Recognizing what?