The following sermon is by John MacArthur, pastor, author, and Bible teacher with grace

to you.

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And now unleashing God's truth one verse at a time.

Here is Grace to you, Bible teacher John MacArthur.

Before the Shepherd's Conference, we were talking on Sunday mornings about the church,

because we've had so many new people in our church, as our church continues to grow.

I was concerned that everybody kind of understand the church.

You're so eager to be a part of the church, faithful to become a part formally, to join

the church, to be baptized as Scripture commands us to do.

And I feel it's my responsibility as your pastor or one of your pastors to convey to you

something of the nature of the church so that you fully understand the church from the

perspective of the Lord Himself was revealed and things we need to know in Scripture.

So for a number of weeks we looked at our Lord's words in Matthew 16, I will build my church.

And we considered all the elements of the church week after week after week.

And then last Sunday I gave a message on Christ the head of the church.

So very, very important, vital, significant message.

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