In worship yesterday, the sermon text was Matthew 16.13-20. I taught about Peter's confession as the foundation of the church, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus joyously responded that Peter's confession was the foundation of the church, "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Our identity as Christians is necessarily joined with the church. Believers in Christ don't have to go to church because the church isn't a place; it's a people. When a person has a relationship with Christ, he happily gathers with other believers to worship as God's family. Jesus tells us in this passage that those who confess Him as Lord and Savior are His people, the church. We gather as a church to show and experience this reality. Being a part of a local church is an important part of our Christian lives. For believers, it's not a laborious obligation; it's a delight in our pursuit of Jesus, the one who has rescued us. Our corporate worship is a visible testimony to the Gospel we proclaim. I look forward to worshipping with my brothers and sisters each week. We're not just coming to church, we are the church. It's who we are.
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