Emmanuel, Go Be The Church!
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. Matthew 16:13–18 NIV
1) The Church is a gathering of
Some think the Church is:
• A special
• A place where Christians go to
• An organization of people who agree with the
• A group of people who carry out
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:1–2 NIV
Characteristics of the Church:
• We are
• We are
• We are called to fulfill
2) The Church is the called-out ones who have believed in Jesus Christ, those who have been joined to him and set apart unto him to fulfill God’s purpose.
Emmanuel, Go Be The Church! Where?
The first place to be the church is
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:18–19 NLT
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NLT
And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord… . For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. Ephesians 5:21–22, 25 NLT
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother… . Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Ephesians 6:1–2, 4 NLT
• I will take
Memory Verse
Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you. Mark 5:19 GNT
Next Steps
I will be the church at home by loving, serving, and forgiving my family as Jesus has done for me.
I will join a Connection Group today so that I can grow closer to God and others.