16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some 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 answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 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.
The Bible says that Jesus loved the church as a man loves his wife and was willing to give His life up for us. How many of us love our spouses that much? To be willing to set aside ourselves, our own lives, for the benefit of the marriage? As Pastor John teaches in today’s message, you should have the same love for The Church as Jesus does. He also teaches that you need to be careful to remember – that while you should love and serve your church, it’s not to be confused with The Church.
Now, let’s join Pastor John in the book of Matthew chapter 16 as he begins his message, The Doctrine of The Church.