1: The True Church

Bishop J. C. Ryle was always anxious to speak plainly, with words that had meaning and real application to his hearers, and his sermon entitled “The True Church” focuses our attention upon that great verse from Matthew 16:18 “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He is particularly concerned to draw our attention to five things that this verse speaks of, Bishop Ryle's own words:
1: You have a building: “My Church”
2: A Builder: Christ says, “I will build My Church”
3: A Foundation: “Upon this rock I will build my church”
4: Perils Implied: “The gates of hell”
5: Security asserted: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
“Are you upon the rock?” he asks, “Come to Christ” he implores his hearers, and to those who believe he exhorts to “Live like citizens of heaven…….like men who look for that blessed hope – the second coming of Jesus Christ.