August 30th, 2025
River of Faith 20th Year Anniversary
Church is the People! - Matthew 16:13-20
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
August 30, 2025
Memory Verse:
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:18 NLT
Introduction:
We thank everyone for coming out today to the River of Faith! Today we celebrate a unique milestone in the life of our church as God permits us once again to continue His good works and for reaching 20 years of serving the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word "ekklesia", which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The theme we are celebrating today is "the church is the people!" Because it is!
Main Pointers:
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:13-18 NLT
Main pointers:
1. The church is a body and Christ is the head.
A. Jesus asked peter who do people say that I am? This is the greatest question of our life and the answer to this question determines our destination.
B. “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself."
Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT
2. The church is the bride of Christ.
“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.”
Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT
A. This is a powerful imagery of what the church really is. It's not a building nor a denomination but the people who Christ has died for to make them clean, holy, washed by the cleansing of God's Word. He did this to present the church to Himself like a beautiful bride to be presented to the groom.
3. The church is victorious.
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:18 NLT
A. The church are the people who have experienced the power and victory of Christ on the cross! Its not just an emotional victory but a positional victory. God has placed us to be part of his family!
B. “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-33 NLT
Conclusion:
Today marks our 20 years! And all I can think about are all the people who have heard about Christ because of this church. That is what is all about! It's loving the church which are the people because Jesus loved the church. It's about serving one another in love. We don't reach for perfection because that happens in heaven. We reach for obedience because our obedience has fruits and you see that fruit today!!!!
Church is the People! - Matthew 16:13-20
Pastor Ray-ann Dela Fuente
August 30, 2025
Memory Verse:
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:18 NLT
Introduction:
We thank everyone for coming out today to the River of Faith! Today we celebrate a unique milestone in the life of our church as God permits us once again to continue His good works and for reaching 20 years of serving the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word "ekklesia", which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The theme we are celebrating today is "the church is the people!" Because it is!
Main Pointers:
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:13-18 NLT
Main pointers:
1. The church is a body and Christ is the head.
A. Jesus asked peter who do people say that I am? This is the greatest question of our life and the answer to this question determines our destination.
B. “God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself."
Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT
2. The church is the bride of Christ.
“For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.”
Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT
A. This is a powerful imagery of what the church really is. It's not a building nor a denomination but the people who Christ has died for to make them clean, holy, washed by the cleansing of God's Word. He did this to present the church to Himself like a beautiful bride to be presented to the groom.
3. The church is victorious.
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Matthew 16:18 NLT
A. The church are the people who have experienced the power and victory of Christ on the cross! Its not just an emotional victory but a positional victory. God has placed us to be part of his family!
B. “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:32-33 NLT
Conclusion:
Today marks our 20 years! And all I can think about are all the people who have heard about Christ because of this church. That is what is all about! It's loving the church which are the people because Jesus loved the church. It's about serving one another in love. We don't reach for perfection because that happens in heaven. We reach for obedience because our obedience has fruits and you see that fruit today!!!!
Recent
His Daily Sufficient Grace Part 5: Right or Left
September 14th, 2025
His Daily Sufficient Grace Part 4: Forgive Me So I Can
September 7th, 2025
River of Faith 20th Year Anniversary Sunday
August 31st, 2025
The River of Faith 20th Anniversary: "Church is the People"
August 30th, 2025
His Daily Sufficient Grace Part 3: Neither Do I
August 24th, 2025
Archive
2025
February
March
June
July
August
Categories
no categories
No Comments