Build to Serve

Psalm 107:1-9;  Matthew 16:13-19

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus chose twelve disciples to become the Apostles. Among them, he also had an inner circle of three: Peter, James, and John. Each of these disciples had unique traits that would help carry out the Lord's mission. The names of the twelve apostles are listed in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, and Luke 6:13-16.

These men became the pioneering leaders of the New Testament church. Interestingly, none of them were scholars or rabbis. They did not have any extraordinary skills; they were ordinary people, just like you and me. Jesus chose them for a purpose: to carry on his mission of saving humanity. Jesus selected and God used each of these ordinary individuals to build his church.

The selection of these apostles is not an end in itself; it is based on the solid foundation of the truth proclaimed by Peter—that Jesus is the Messiah sent to save the world (Matthew 1:21). In our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus reaffirmed this by saying to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Leaders are chosen for a purpose: to represent and carry on the mission of an organization—in this case, the Church of Jesus Christ.

There is a promise in this text that is both profound and powerful. It was made to Peter but extends to all of us. This passage symbolizes hope and highlights the enduring strength of the church. It speaks of a church that prevails, one that embodies God's power and endures through the ages. It assures us that the church, built on the rock-solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ, will prevail. Despite the trials and persecutions, the church remains firm on the Rock. We are part of this divine institution built on the solid foundation of Christ's love and sacrifice.

As we stand on this foundation, we are invincible. The gates of Hades will not overcome us. We will prevail. We hold power not from ourselves, but from the authority granted to us by our Lord. Despite the storms that may rage around us, we remain firm, anchored in the promises of our Lord. Our presence here after 70 years is a great testimony and fulfillment of the promise.

The promise of the prevailing church goes beyond survival; it signifies victory. It has triumphed over early and ongoing persecutions, embodying divine power and authority. This promise is about actively standing firm in the face of tribulations and not just enduring but thriving.

This promise highlights the importance of unity. The church is not merely a collection of individuals; it is a unified body in Christ that stands together, fights together, and prevails together (Ephesians 4:1-5). The church is not just a static structure like a church building, but a dynamic organism that grows and reaches out as we continue our outreach and mission programs. This growth is not only quantitative but also qualitative, as evidenced by our membership. It’s not merely about increasing numbers; it’s about deepening our faith. It involves growing in our knowledge of God, becoming more like Christ, and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit.

The promise of the prevailing church is a beacon of hope for a despairing world. As bearers and heralds of this hope, we follow the apostles, who Jesus commissioned to spread the good news. Despite facing trials and persecutions, we are Christians today because of their unwavering faithfulness to this mission.

As we thank our leaders today, let us remember that they are all volunteers—not paid staff. They willingly dedicate their time, talents, and gifts to support Jesus’ mission here at Park Forest. Through their leadership, the church has effectively addressed vital issues and preserved our unity as a family. 

Today, we want to express our gratitude to the following servant leaders:

Chris Long                 Education (Sunday School) and Mission (both locally and globally).

Alice Knox                 Membership Outreach and Nursing Home Ministry. 

Jessica Kunkel           Youth Department. 

Sue Dukes                  Staff /Pastor Parish Relations. 

Maureen Cribbs and Sue Dukes – Women's Christian Association (WCA). 

Leslie Langmeyer     Secretary

I want to take a moment also to thank everyone serving the Lord in various roles here at the church, as I have mentioned over the past three weeks. I also want to recognize the Sanctuary Choir (Voices of Grace) and Handbell Choir (Ringalings), as well as those working behind the scenes, like Sue Cassara, our Flower Coordinator; Jessica Kunkel, our Communion Steward; and everyone who is always ready to help people sign up for mission fundraising. Additionally, I would like to express special gratitude to the Wednesday Prayer Warriors: Alice Wasney, Maureen Cribbs, and Chris Long. Thank you all for your dedication and service!

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you who make up our church community—the gathering of believers. Your prayers, love, and support mean so much to me and my family. Your commitment through your presence, pledges, offerings, and services plays a crucial role in sustaining our church and enabling us to continue Jesus' mission. Together, we are fulfilling His hope and commission by spreading the gospel of love.

I also want to remind you that, as believers, we are all part of the priesthood and are called to offer our time and talents to the Lord. If you feel that God is calling you to serve, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the pastor or any of our servant leaders. There will always be opportunities to get involved.

It is my prayer that God continues to bless our church, increase our numbers, and help us remain faithful until the end. Thank you so much! Happy Laity Month!