Title: The Church I Love
Contents
Text Matthew 16:13-18
Life was a nightmare, and it was a dream-like year. The past 23 years are as clear in my memory as it was just a few days ago, but the daughters who were 5 years and 3 years old at the time of the pioneering were all married, and with the joy of holding their grandchildren, the youthful and youthful figure of 23 years ago that disappeared from me is nowhere to be found and faded. Only the photos tell us that there was a time.
There are those who registered as new believers in the early days of the pioneering period and were baptized, deacons, priests, and elders. There is also.
Some of them remain as good church members in my memory, so if I move to Suwon someday, I would like to serve the Shepherd Church together. There are some who do not remain.
Looking back, including all of you who participated in this worship service, those who left with good memories, those who left with painful memories, those who left their lives of faith so that even the memories of whether they existed or not, were all precious to me and the pastor. They were my mentors and precious people who made me what I am today.
I pray that God's great grace and blessings be with all those who have been with me through the Shepherd Church at any moment for the past 23 years.
Today's sermon title is "The Church I Love". 'Jesus! Even if you confess that you love the Lord, if you do not have any attachment to the church and there is discord among the members, such a confession of love is just an echo that hits the air.
Why should we love the church?
1. Jesus established it.
2. Because Jesus established it, the confession of faith must be clear.
Like the confession of Matthew 16:16, there must be a confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession may be easy now, but at the time it was a confession of martyrdom, saying, “I will die.” The Jews persecuted and killed many Christians who believed in Jesus as the Son of God and confessed as the Christ. Still, the church must stand on this confession of faith. With such a clear confession of faith,
3. The powers of Hades cannot overcome.
Matthew 16:18 “… On this rock I will build my church, and the powers of Hades will not overcome it.” The church has the spiritual power to resist the devil. The devil is the one who holds the power of the air and works by grasping the power of death as the ruler of the world. The church has the authority to not yield to the work of this evil devil, and our members have it.
Dear Mokyang Church family,
Because Jesus loved me, and I love Jesus, I must love his church. We must love the members who are members of the church. Galatians 6:10 says, “As much as you have opportunity, do good to everyone, especially to the families of faith.” It has been 23 years since its founding. I hope that all the members of the shepherd will become mature Christians and truly love the church, in the name of Jesus.
Hallelujah