October 9, 2022
Morning Service

Mat 16:13-18 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.

            It has been over 2000 years since Jesus made this declaration and despite all the trials, troubles, and persecution His church remains alive and well just as He said.  It has remained strong because it is built upon an unmovable foundation.  Peter’s bold statement here in Matthew’s gospel describes it well.  It is not built on doctrine, tradition, hard work, or even religion.  It is built upon the single fact that this Jesus whom we have committed to follow is indeed “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Paul described it like this to the Ephesian church:

 

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

            Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” in which His church has been built.  He is the solid Rock that never moves or shifts even when storms like hurricane Ian blow mightily against Him.  His church has survived and is flourishing because all that she has done has been built upon Him.  Upon this solid foundation the church has been built; “the whole building, being fitted together grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”  We are the church He is building.  He adds to us and takes away to create the church for this generation that will build the church of the next generation.  So it has been for 2000 years and will continue to be until He comes again. 

We here at the Bride of Christ Fellowship are a part of that eternal church that Jesus spoke of in Matthew.  We had a humble beginning 43 years ago on 3^rd and Warren Streets here in little old Mitchell Indiana.  God’s calling came upon a man that was willing to say “Here I am Lord send me.”   The Lord gave Jerry eyes to see a great need to establish a fellowship which returned to the foundation that Jesus had built and simply preach the Word of God.  He removed the separation factor of denomination and the burden of following man’s tradition to create a place where Bible things were called Bible names and the Word was taught without addition or subtraction in its simplest form.  He was surrounded by a small group of believers (mostly family) that began this journey with him.  Each one of us here today also are part of this Fellowship and our journey together.  I want to do a quick survey now.

How many have been here less than 5 years (2017)?  How many came over 10 years ago (2012)?  20 years?  30 years?  40 years?

This message of the simple gospel message has been appealing to us and we have found a place where we “are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints am members of the household of God.”  We have found a place where we belong; where we are family.  Each of us are like a brick in the wall of this church doing our part to make our fellowship better and pointing others to Jesus who is our everything.  We all have our own stories which make us unique, but we have in common our love for Jesus and His Word.  We have accepted His invitation to “Follow Me” and are now walking side by side with one another.  God has guided each one of our journeys to cross through this Fellowship.  We are the church and are unified by the One we are following and the journey we are on to meet Him.  For many of us this journey together has been for many years, for others you have joined us along our way.  We have laughed and cried together.  We have celebrated and mourned.  We have encouraged and been encouraged.  We have grown up together in the Lord and we are better together.  Jesus prayed for us to be this way in the Garden.

 

Joh 17:20-24 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; (21) that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  (22)  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (23) I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  (24)  "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

            We are together on this journey because Jesus designed it that way.  There are no coincidences, but we as the Bride of Christ Fellowship are of a grand design.  Each of us doing our part to make one another better, but also on the big picture working side by side doing our part to build the kingdom of God.  In Jesus’ prayer He asks the Father to perfect us as one so that “the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”  We as a Fellowship, a family are to create a place in which love abounds, living out the Word in our actions.  We do not judge or condemn one another, but love and support one another.  This love on display in our lives is the single greatest testimony that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God.  Loving others is not a choice, but a command we are fulfilling from our Savior.

 

Joh 15:12-17 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  (13)  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.  (14)  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  (15)  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.  (16)  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you.  (17)  These things I command you, that you love one another.

            We are “chosen and appointed” to do this together.  No longer are we “servants or slaves” of God, but friends and family.  We are not forced to give of ourselves, but willing yield our will to His.  It is no longer what we do, but it is who we are.  He designed us to do this together through being His church.  Today we celebrate the 43 years of this Fellowship doing just that.  Many have begun their walk with Jesus here (10 this year!) and many have been drawn closer in that walk, but the work is not done.  What lies ahead of us could be the most difficult time we have ever seen.  We need to strengthen what we have built on Jesus’ foundation for that coming storm and be ready when it comes.  It is a time to refocus and recommit to the task at hand.  Get active in our Fellowship finding a place to put your God given gifts to work to make us better.  We need to be inviting those around us who are hurting, struggling and wondering to “Come and see” what God is doing among us.  It has been our battle cry from day #1 and will be until our Lord comes.

 

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

            Jesus is the answer to what the world is seeking for.  If we don’t invite them to “Come and drink” who will?  Be a light that reflects the love of Jesus; loving others like He loves us.

 

Heavenly Father we thank You for Your presence and guidance over the last 43 years.  We thank You for bringing us together as a family of believers.  Help us not to rest upon past success but to be busy about Your business as the day of Your return draws near.