How do you see the church?

Everyone inside and outside the church has a complaint against the church.

On our best days church is a celebration and an inspiration.

On our worst days church is an obligation and an imposition.

Do we have to go to church?

John 16:13

"13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future."

In order to understand the church you must understand Jesus.

John 16:14

"14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me."

Many people say Jesus was a good person, a good leader, or a good teacher.

John 16:15

"15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’"

This is the single most important question you can answer in your life.

John 16:16

"16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

Ultimately it must be what sets Jesus apart that drives our connection with the church.

If we are serious about Jesus we will take seriously what he is about to say next.

John 16:17-18

"17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”"

What will Jesus build his church on?

Peter's commitment and confession.

What we need to understand about Jesus and his relationship with the church:

1. Jesus loves the church.

Ephesians 5:25-26

"25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word."

You cannot have a deep relationship with Jesus while having a broken relationship with his bride.

2. Jesus is building his church

John 16:18

"18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”"

You cannot live your life for Jesus and reject the work he is doing in his people.

3. Jesus will prevail in building his church.

John 16:18

"18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”"

What Jesus' relationship to the church should mean for us:

1. Commit to a serious relationship with Jesus and his bride.

      In person / Invested / In step

2. Find joy in consistency rather than conformity.

3. Be a contributor and not a consumer.

"If the church is central to God's purpose, as seen in both history and the Gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives."                           - John Stott

Do you believe in what Jesus is building?

If you believe in it, what are you doing to help build it?