January 18, 2026
A New Identity
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Q: What is “The Church”?
Week 1: It is the place where God dwells with His people.
Week 2: Therefore, it is the place where God’s people experience God’s presence.
Week 3: With God’s presence comes the power and authority to demolish strongholds.
Matthew 16:13 NIV
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
There are many questions we wrestle with in life, but only one that echoes into eternity. It’s not “what church do you attend?”, or “are you a nice person?”. Rather, it’s: “Who do you believe Jesus is?”
Matthew 16:14 NIV
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 16:15 NIV
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:16 NIV
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah (The Christ), the Son of the living God.”
“I believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior.”
Matthew 16:17 NIV
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
It is the Holy Spirit’s job to reveal Jesus to everyone.
John 15:26 NIV
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.”
However, the Spirit intends to use “me” to get the task done.
John 15:27 NIV
“And you (the Apostles) also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”
“You must believe you CAN do this.” – Chad Sudsberry
Matthew 16:18 NIV
“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.”
Jesus seems to be encouraging Peter to plunder the gates of death!
Acts 2:4 NIV
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:22 NIV
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” – Peter
Acts 2:2 NIV
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
It was God’s plan to give us the gift of His son, and we are all responsible for what happened to Him.
Acts 2:24 NIV
“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Acts 2:31-32 NIV
“Seeing what was to come, (King David) spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”
Acts 2:33 NIV
“Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”
Acts 2:34-35 NIV
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'"
Acts 2:36 NIV
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Acts 2:37 NIV
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
You are ready to accept Jesus when you understand your sin has crucified the Lord, and it hurts you in your heart.
Acts 2:38 NIV
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism is the normative method in Acts to mark our decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Acts 2:39 NIV
“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Who is your “One” who is far off?