Matthew 16:15-16, 18 (NKJV) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” …And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Jesus’ view of the church is strong, authoritative, vibrant, mission-minded, focused, influential, firm, vigorous and unyielding, one where Agape love is shown and grace is extended as the church pursues the mandate given to her. A local church that is strong will be an effective witness to the community, and it will be able to confront the forces of darkness and enforce the victory of Jesus, because Scripture says that nothing can come in the way of the church of the living God.
This kind of church acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God and the head of the church. She is convinced that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and there is no other way back to God.
Secondly, the church is aware that God wants to build the church, and she has the responsibility to carry out the Great Commission. She takes Jesus’ last command seriously makes it her first concern.
Thirdly, God has a mandate and a vision for every local church, which is a blueprint in heaven drafted for its growth. Every member is committed to the vision and runs with it. The church is united with one heart, one purpose, one vision and one Lord, and she want to be found faithful to her God-given mandate. Unity and love are the hallmark of the church.
Lastly, aware that we will all have to give account to the Lord in the area of managing His finances and using the gifts that He has given us to serve Him, every member will serve God with their spiritual gifts in the local church, tithe and give freewill offerings.
A local church is like an aircraft carrier on a mission, but with a hospital on board. No personnel is redundant and each has a specific role to play. While those who need help will be cared for and ministered to, the church is also carrying out the mandate to reach out to the lost. All of us are stewards of the gifts and talents given to us by God, and we are to actively contribute to the work of the church. This will keep the church strong and healthy, leaving us no time to entertain strife, division, and personal agendas, which is what the enemy wants.
As disciples of Christ, we need to live our lives for a purpose bigger than ourselves and not just for the present, because we know that we have a destiny—an eternity with Christ. We are the living stones that make up the body of Christ and the local church that has been given a mandate.
Sermon Series: Arise and Build （Part 1）
属耶稣的教会
马太福音16:15-16,18耶稣说，你们说我是谁。西门彼得回答说，你是基督，是永生神的儿子。…我还告诉你，你是彼得，我要把我的教会建造在这磐石上，阴间的权柄，不能胜过他。
耶稣眼中的教会是坚强、权威、活跃、有使命感、专注、有影响力、坚定、充满活力和不屈不挠的. 当教会行在它所赋予的使命中时，AGAPE无条件之爱得以彰显，恩典泽及世人。一個刚强的本地教會將向社群作有力的见证，它將能夠直面黑暗权勢並守护主耶穌的得胜，因為聖經說，沒有什麼可以阻礙永生神的教會。
这样的本地教会宣告主耶稣是弥赛亚， 永生神的儿子，教会的元首。教会信靠主耶稣是道路， 真理，生命; 是回归天父的唯一路径。
其次，教会清楚的知道神想要建立教会，教会则有责任执行传福音的大使命。教会严正看待耶稣的最后诫命，将其作为首要考量。
再次，神赐给每一个本地教会以使命和异象，这些使命和异象是神为教会的成长所绘制的属天的蓝图。 每一个会众都致力于这一异象，并快跑跟随。教会联结于为同一颗心、同一个目的、同一个异象和同一个主，教会想让神看到自己对使命的信实。合一和爱都是教会的标志。
最后，我们务必意识到，在经管神的财务以及用神赋予我们的恩赐来服事祂的方面， 我们所有人最终都要向主耶稣述职，每个会众要在本地教会用各自的属灵恩赐、十一奉献和自由奉献来侍奉神。
一个本地教会如同一个执行任务的航母，只是其上所搭载的是一个医院。在这里，没有一个人是重复多余的，每个人都有其独有的角色。除了让需要帮助的人得到照顾和服事，教会还要执行大使命抚触失丧者。我们所有人都是管家，为神管理神赋予我们的恩赐和才能，我们要积极主动地为教会的工作做出贡献。這將使教會保持强大和健康，同时不让我们有多余的空闲去制造无谓衝突、分裂以及個人目的，而这些正是仇敌想要的。
作为基督的信徒，我们需要为一个比自己的目标更大的目标而活。我们不能只活在当下，我们知道自己有一个属天的标杆-基督同在的永恒。 我们是构成基督肢体的活石、组成了被赋予使命的地方教会。
讲章系列：兴起和建造 (第一部分)
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