Ma#hew

16.18: I will build my church. This passage is lled with immense hope. It is a promise with all certainty. We will ul?mately triumph by the power of God. Isaiah 55.11 - Gods word never returns void. Today we will examine Gods true purpose and design for His ekklesia....His redeemed group of humanity...who live for Him and not for themselves. I. The Certainty of This Statement. A. Titus 1.1-2 - Three main components of Pauls ministry. Why did Paul preach? 1. All of this was according to Gods promise. a. When did God promise it? Before ?me began - 2 Timothy 1.8-9. 2. To whom was this promise made? It was made before anyone created. a. John 17.24 - We (the redeemed) are Gods expression of love to Jesus. 2. John 6.37 - Why will faithful Chris?ans not be cast out? 3. John 6.38-39 - Jesus did His part to make all of this reality. B. This is all leading to a future ?me - 1 Corinthians 15.27-28. C. Ma#hew 16.18 is an absolute certainty. See Acts 2.39, 47; 5.14; 11.24; 13.48. D. We are not building the church. 1. Our job is to be faithful and obedient so God can do His work. 2. All we need to do is be in the place where Jesus is building. What is that place? a. Its the place of righteous living. b. Chris?ans are called to walk in the Spirit by obeying Gods word. c. Weve been instructed how to live. How to think. How to speak. How to act. d. Scripture lays out a pa#ern that puts us where we need to be. E. Isnt it exci?ng to be in a place where He is building? Look at the good work God is accomplishing here. II. The In8macy of This Statement. A. No?ce: I will build. Not the church. Not the great church. I will build My church. The personal pronoun is important. 1. Ephesians 1.12, 14 - Those redeemed are the praise of His glory. 2. Acts 20.28 - We are His personal possession. He purchased us with His blood. 3. 1 Corinthians 6.17 - We are one with Him in holy in?macy. We are His body. 4. Acts 9.4 - Why are you persecu:ng Me? 5. 1 Peter 2.4 - Jesus is the living cornerstone. B. Our God is not impersonal. He is not far o. He is not indierent. C. Gala?ans 2.20b - He is our life. 1. Colossians 1.27b - Christ is in you, the hope of glory. 2. He lives in His church. He lives in you. You are His and He is yours. D. See Ephesians 5. We totally surrender to Jesus and set Him on the throne of our heart. For what? Our cleansing and transforma:on - see Ephesians 5.26. 1. For what? So that He might present the church to Himself in splendor... b. This is all for Gods glory - Ephesians 3.21. E. Ephesians 3.10-11 - this is being done to display His innite wisdom. Conclusion: A. Do You know Jesus? B. Are you part of His ekklesia? His called out ones?

I Will Build