ON THE WINNING TEAM...                	 Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  3-29-98 A.M.   	 Matthew 16:13-21     	A:\MAT16-13 
	Everyone wants to be on the "winning team"... I think.  We are on 
      a journey through life... and whether we "win or not" depends upon
      which team we are on. The Church is God's plan (team) and it will 
      win in the end... guaranteed!  Every born again person is a part of
      the "universal" church... and hopefully will be a part of a local
      church group. Here are some lessons about the Church... from Jesus...

I.  WHAT IS HIS CHURCH?  A Number of "Word Pictures"... 
  A.  The "Family of God" 
    1. Into which you "must be born..." - Eph.3:14, 15;  John 3:3,7 
  B.  The "Body of Christ".. 
    1. Into which you must be "baptized by the Spirit".. - 1Cor.12:13-18 
    2. You are Important... but no more so than others... Ro.12:3 
    3. You need others and they need you... 
  C.  The "Bride of Christ" .. making herself ready...
    1. To whom you are "engaged"... 2Cor.11:2
    2. By whom you are "made ready".  Eph.5:25-27  (Rev.19:7) 
  D.  The Temple of "Living Stones"..   1Pe.2:5 
    1. For an "habitation" of God... Eph.2:19-22 
    2. We are Individually... the Temple of God... 1Cor.3:17; 6:19 

II.  HOW IS HE BUILDING HIS CHURCH? 
  A. He Is "Taking Out" a People for His Name... Acts.15:14 
    1. Calling us out of sin unto the Savior.. 
    2. Calling us out of "darkness into His glorious light"  1Pe.2:9 
    3. Calling us out of "lukewarmness" into holy fervency... Rev.3:16
	 - Jew and Gentile are "all one" in this dispensation.. Ro.10:11-13 
  B. He is Calling Those People to Follow Him 
    1. Follow Him to the "Synagogue".. as His custom was... Luke.4:16,17 
	- to study, worship, learn, encourage, be encouraged.. 
    2. Follow Him to the "wayward"... 
	- the publicans and sinners, the down and out... the up and out...and 
        other sinners 
	- with a message of love, forgiveness, and restoration 
    3. Follow Him to the Places of Brokenness... 
    4. Follow Him to the Place of "Death" 
	- He went to the Cross for you and me 
	- He wants us to "deny self, take up the cross... follow Him" 

III.  WHY IS IT SUCH A FORCE?  "Gates of hell shall not prevail..." 
  A. It is To Be The Standard of Righteousness... 
    1. It's members are "living epistles"...  2Cor.3:1,2 - Known and read 
       of all men.. 
    2. It's Members Walk in the paths of righteousness...  Ps.23:3 
    3. It's Members Willing to die for what is Right.. rather than
       compromise.. 
	- Notice Steven...  Acts 7:59,60... yet influenced Paul 
  B. It Is All That Stands In The Way of Total Evil... 
    1. Because of the Indwelling Holy Spirit..  2Thes.2:7
  C. It Is God's Means Today of... 
    1. Evangelizing the World... Mt.28:18-20 
    2. Equipping the Believer... 
    3. Encouraging the Saints... 

AND UNTIL HE COMES FOR US.. WE HAVE A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY... 
AND MEMBERS HAVE A GREAT PRIVILEGE.. WELCOME TO THE TEAM !!