Advance: Jesus is Building His Church

This week, Pastor Chris started a new sermon series called Advancing Church. God has a great vision for the Church and wants to use His bride to establish His kingdom on earth. As we gather, we meet with the Lord through worship and prayer and build one another up for the works of the ministry. There is power in the gathering of God’s people!

Advance: to move forward in a purposeful way. Make or cause to make progress. 

Matthew 16:13–17 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 

The Ecclesia…

  • The church is a congregation or assembly of “called out ones.” 
  • The church is not something we ATTEND, it’s something we BELONG too. 
  • The church is not a person, it’s a people. 
  • The church is not something we are without each other therefore the gathering as family is extremely important. 
  • When we give our lives to Jesus, it is no longer an individual life. 

Genesis 28:10–12, 16-17 (ESV)

10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Ephesians 2:22 (ESV)

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Matthew 16:18–19 (ESV)

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

“The local church is the vehicle we use to preach Christ and establish a gateway to God. The Gate Church is founded upon Christ, preaches Christ, is filled with the manifest presence of Christ, sees the power of Christ as work, and creates an atmosphere where Christ is genuinely experienced by all.” Frank Demazio

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

  • We gather to meet with Jesus. 

Luke 6:17–19 (ESV)

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

  • We gather to worship the Lord. 

Colossians 3:15–16 (ESV)

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

  • We gather to be equipped. 

Ephesians 4:10–13 (ESV)

10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

  • We gather to share a spiritual gift. 

1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

1 Corinthians 14:3–4 (ESV)

3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

  • We gather to pray…and to pray for others. 

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Discussion Questions:

  • How does the “Ecclesia” description of church challenge or change the way you see yourself as a member of the Body of Christ and the role you play in it?
  • What are some practical ways you can walk in your authority in Christ?
  • Hebrews says, “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”. How can you do this for your community?

Application Question:

  • Pastor Chris talked about how gathering as the church equips us for ministry. Spend some time evaluating some ways you need or want more equipping? What are some ways you can help equip others?
  • If there are things you’d like to be more equipped in, reach out to someone in your Life Group who could be helpful!

Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
Sundays at 9am, 10:30am, 12 pm