06-05-2022
06-05-2022
Dr. E. Dale Locke (LOX & Online), Rev. Jose Marrero (WPB), Pastor Brandon Weaver (LW), Rev. Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: Re-assembly Required
Week 1: The Church?
English PDF file for printing.
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1. Read the theme verse for this new series and begin to memorize it. Matthew 16:18b: “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
2. In July 1961, after a major defeat, Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, gathered his team for training and famously started with, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” His wisdom in going back to the basics helped his team go on to become champions. In a similar way, over the coming weeks, this sermon series will go back to the fundamentals of what the “Church” is meant to be.
If you were asked to define what the “Church” is, what would you say?
3. Read Matthew 16:13-19 – When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 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. 18 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. 19 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.”
What do you notice about Jesus’s plan for the Church in this passage?
4. Today a lot of people are losing confidence in institutions that have been an important part of society for a long time – institutions like government, education, and the Church. What are some reasons why some people might be losing confidence in the Church?
5. What are some ways the Church has been changing in recent years?
6. Andy Stanley said, “How did a religious cult, birthed in the armpit of the Roman empire, whose leader had been rejected by his own people, and crucified as a wannabe king of Rome, survive in the face of overwhelming resistance? And how is it that this same upstart religion would eventually be embraced by the very empire that sought to extinguish it?”
In a similar way, British author, Karen Armstrong wrote, “Against all odds, by the third century, Christianity had become a force to be reckoned with. We still do not really understand how this came about.”
How would you explain the mystery of how the Christian Church became the largest religion in the world today, despite its small beginnings and the huge resistance to it over the centuries?
The Church is God’s idea:
7. Notice Jesus’s words in Matthew 16:18 – “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.”
Peter’s real name given to him by his parents was Simon; but Jesus gave him the nickname “Peter” – which means “rock.” So throughout history, some have thought Jesus was saying he would build his Church on Peter, while others believe Jesus meant he would build his Church on the confession that Peter made here. If Peter were here today, what do you think he would say about this debate?
8. We believe Jesus’s Church is made up of everyone, who – like Peter – confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Why is this belief essential in order for a person to be part of Jesus’s Church?
9. What evidence is there that the Jewish carpenter named Jesus who lived in Israel 2,000 years ago really was the Son of God?
The Church is God’s idea and God’s main way…
10. Pastor Dale shared how Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, which is now our WPB Campus, was what God used to light the flame of his faith and change his life back when he was a teenager. If a Church has made a deep impact like that in your life, share about that with your group.
The Church Is God’s idea and God’s main way to accomplish His purpose to bring heaven to earth.
11. We may wonder if the Church is the best way for God to bring heaven to earth. But whether we like it or not, it is God’s main way. The Church isn’t the building. The Church is us – the people! What are you doing to participate in the Church’s mission to bring God’s Kingdom to earth?
12. Where does the Church line up in your priorities for your own life? Is the Church one thing among many things in your life, or is it the central thing in your life? What changes could you make in your life to give the Church the place that God wants it to have?
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Fam Jams – June 21 & July 19 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm at all our campuses - Fam Jams are fun, high-energy evenings for our families with pre-school and elementary-age children! Come and spend time as a family and enjoy dinner, activities and bible teachings! We will have lots of outdoor games and activities set up for the kids to run around, too. Dinner will be served for $3 and if you invite a friend, their meal will be FREE!
Kids of Hope Around Town – Watch for the fun events we’re planning around Palm Beach County for kids and families all summer long. More information at https://communityofhope.church/kohsummer
Beach Baptism TODAY, 4:30pm June 5 at Carlin Park in Jupiter – We’ve rented a large pavilion so we can gather as a church family to celebrate baptisms and enjoy a fun picnic together at the beach! Wear a COH t-shirt and bring your own chairs and picnic supper. Even if you don’t know anyone being baptized, we hope you’ll come out and have a fun time at the beach with your church family.
Summer Suppers are an opportunity to get to know some new people over a meal! Sign up, and we’ll connect you to a group of 8 people who will simply share a meal and enjoy some conversation! Get more information specific to your campus at https://communityofhope.church/groups/
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