Matthew 16:13–18 (ESV)
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
 
As I have already stated, this was the first time Jesus ever used the word “church.”
 
But, the word “church” was a very familiar term in Jesus’ day.  It is the word ekklēsía. The verb of this word means, “to call out.”  The noun, ekklēsía, describes those who have been called out. So It literally means, “the called people.”  As I said, it was a very common word. For example, it was used to describe a body of citizens of a town who had been called together to discuss public affairs. 
 
Literally, a herald would go up and down the streets and call the people out of their homes to come to the meeting.
 
Jesus took this very common term and “baptized” it into the rich meaning of what He was about to do. For Jesus was speaking in the future tense, since as of yet He had not begun to build His church, which would begin on the Day of Pentecost.
 
The word “church” carries two meaning.  First, it refers to all who are called by Christ in the fellowship of His salvation.  This is the church worldwide of all times. This is how Jesus used it in Matthew 16:18.  
 
Here are some other verses referring to the church throughout the world.
 
Acts 9:31 (ESV)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”
 
Galatians 1:13 (ESV)
“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.”
 
Ephesians 3:21 (ESV)
“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
 
As you can see, these verses are not referring to the church in a specific location, which leads us to the other meaning of the word church.  It refers to the “called out people of God,” expressing life in a specific location.
 
Here are some examples: 
 
Acts 8:1 (ESV)
“…And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem…”
 
In some of his letters, Paul addressed local churches in a specific location:
 
1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV)
“To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…”
 
1 Thessalonians 1:1 (ESV)
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
 
Paul also wrote letters that were meant to be passed around to local churches that were in a specific region: 
 
Galatians 1:2–3 (ESV)
2…”To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…”
 
Now, here is the point. As we begin to offer church gatherings again, it is important to know that we are called out to assemble together.  I’m sure some of us have enjoyed the leisure of getting up on Sunday morning and turning on the internet in our pajamas. But, that’s not how church is supposed to be.  
 
We are called out to salvation and we are called out to assemble.
 
Read this passage closely:
 
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
 
Did you catch that?  Some had gotten into the habit of not meeting together. We need to meet in order to encourage one another and to motivate each other toward love and good deeds.
 
There are many other reasons why we should meet, some of which we will discuss in the coming days.
 
If your health permits, make every effort to be a part of the called out to assemble ones this Sunday.