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Msg #558 Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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… I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:18)
Today, Jesus is building His church
There is incredible wonder, hope and confidence in understanding this wonderful truth. I call you to several simple understandings from this verse.
First - It is His church. It is important to keep this in mind. The church is not our church, it does not belong to any person, people, denomination or theological group. There is something so vital to know today…that the church, the real church – is His. The Church belongs to Jesus. It is His and He is actively caring for it.
Second - Jesus is Building His Church. Today, Jesus is doing this very thing. In Acts 2:47 it tells us.
And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
There is a great sense that we need to realize that the Lord has not placed on us the responsibility or burden to build the church. He is doing it. Yes, He does it through His people most often. Yet, the key is it is not up to use to determine how to do this, or to make this happen. It is our part to follow His guidance and trust His ways. Today, He is building His church.
Third - Nothing will stop it. Jesus tells us that the gates of Hades shalll not prevail against it. There are two thoughts here.
One – nothing can stop the church from moving forward. Nothing is powerful enough to resist the power of Christ, no defensive measure from the enemy can keep Him at bay. As it says in Hebrews, Jesus is able to save to the uttermost!
Two – hell and satan’s agenda will never stop the church. Every now and then I hear from someone, or get an e-mail that makes it sound like the church is about to die, that if we don’t act quick (and usually send them money), then the church will cease to exist. Others look at trends and such and paint pictures that the church is on its last dying gasp. Simple answer – no way! It is impossible. Jesus promised that He would be His church and nothing would stop it. He has done so through a turbulent two thousand years. He is doing so today. You can have confidence in Him continuing His work around the world, today. Nothing will stop it. O there is such hope and confidence here! Consider Daniel’s words that only confirm the same thing:
… the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” (Da 2:44-45)
Today….Jesus is building His church.
Are you a part of His church? If today, He is drawing you to Himself, how we join in and plead with you to surrender to Him.
If you are His…then know this, that the church is His…not yours, mine or anyone else’s. Today it is His and He knows what He is doing and is doing a good job. Rest today in His wisdom, might, power and strength.
… I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:18)
Jim
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