What did Jesus really mean when He said "On this rock I will build my church"?

In the final message of our Vision Series, Pastor Randy challenges two traditional interpretations and introduces a third that transforms this familiar passage into a battle cry.

Matthew 16:13-20 takes place at Caesarea Philippi, at the foothills of Mount Hermon, a location ancient Jews believed was where Genesis 6 occurred, where fallen angels descended to corrupt humanity. Greek mythology taught that natural springs there were the literal "gates of hell" leading to Hades. This was the center of evil in their world.

And Jesus said: This is where I'll build my church.

The church goes where it's hardest. Always has. From the Black Plague to Nazi Germany, from the slums of Calcutta to closed nations today, the church invades Satan's kingdom at its darkest points. The gates of hell cannot prevail.

This message asks: Where is YOUR Mount Hermon? Where is it hardest for you? That's where you start. That's where it begins.

WHEN: Now
WHERE: The hardest place
WHO: You

What are you waiting for?

Visit becomehope.com to learn more about New Hope Church.

Why does New Hope emphasize small groups so much? And if small groups are where discipleship truly happens, what's the point of Sunday morning services? In this message from our Vision Series, Pastor Randy answers these questions by going back to the early church in Acts.

KEY POINTS:

The early church had BOTH corporate meetings and house gatherings

Why we meet on Sundays

Three purposes of corporate worship from Hebrews 10

Our vision for teaching: Biblical, checkable, transformative

Our vision for outreach: Being the best church FOR the community

Our vision for encouragement: Get involved, don't just attend

The story of why one family chose New Hope

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Acts 2:46-47

Hebrews 10:19-25

2 Timothy 3:16-17

John 16:33

Whether you're new to New Hope or have been here for years, this message clarifies why we do what we do and invites you to get involved in both small groups AND Sunday gatherings.

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💬 Comment: Are you part of a small group? If not, what's holding you back?

COMPANION PODCASTS:

Daily Devotional: "Let's Find Out Together"

Apologetics: "Salty Saints"

Visit: becomehope.com

Location: South side of Indianapolis

#NewHopeChurch #ChurchVision #SmallGroups #CorporateWorship #SundayMorning #ChurchCommunity #Acts2 #Hebrews10 #BiblicalChurch #ChurchPurpose

Showing up on Sunday isn't enough. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, DAILY. Pastor Zack challenges us: Are you living half the Christian life? Why small groups aren't optional. Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 2:1-10.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Introduction: DONE Series Returns

1:00 What Is Church Really About?

3:00 Bad Theology Leads to a Contorted Gospel

5:00 Ephesians 2:1-10 - You Were Dead, Now Alive

8:00 The Church Is the Portrait of Christ Restoring Creation

9:00 Acts 2:42-47 - The Early Church Model

11:00 Is This What Church Looks Like Today?

12:00 What Does "Devote" Mean?

14:00 You're Living Half the Christian Walk

16:00 Every Pastor Struggles With Small Groups

17:00 Sunday Is the Golf Game - Small Groups Are the Range

18:00 James 5:16 - Confess Your Sins to Each Other

19:00 Hebrews 3:12-13 - Encourage One Another Daily

20:00 Romans 15:14 - Instruct One Another

21:00 How Many Are Stuck in the Same Sin Forever?

23:00 1 Corinthians 14:26 - Each of You Has Something

24:00 Sunday Morning vs Small Group Gatherings

25:00 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - Many Parts, One Body

26:00 What Goes Wrong With Small Groups

28:00 Talk to Each Other Daily - Don't Condense It

29:00 Don't Just Watch DVDs - Read the BIBLE Together

31:00 Check What Pastors Say Against Scripture

32:00 The Holy Spirit Will Teach You All Things

33:00 Simple Communities - No Single Teacher

35:00 Jesus' Model: 70, 12, and 3

36:00 Do You Have Accountability?

37:00 My Friend Luke and the Gym Accountability

38:00 My Friend Mike and the Diet Accountability

40:00 Communion

42:00 Closing Prayer