June 11, 2020
“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.” Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
What does church mean to you? Is it a place where you come to hear a lesson taught? Is it a place where you find fellowship? Maybe a church is a place to hear music and sing the songs of faith. Or as I heard someone say, “It’s a safe place to kill an hour!”
I read the words of Jesus when He says the gates of Hades will not overcome the church, yet I look at today’s church and wonder if we are not allowing the church to go the way of the world. We often come to be entertained. We come to receive something. We want to hear good music, a good sermon. We want to see our friends and of course find out who sick and who is not. I am afraid we have a frivolous attitude toward the church. For most people can take it or leave it. We can always find something to get in the way of church, but how often does church get in the way of us?
Jesus established the church. He tells Peter that he and the disciples will have the key to the kingdom. I believe those keys are the very essence of the gospel. The key to the kingdom is Jesus. Jesus gave Himself for the church. He died for it and the Bible says He is coming back to receive it.
What kind of church will Jesus find when He returns? We are supposed to be a beautiful church an unblemished church. Yet more and more people relegate the church to just an institution. We have judged the church. We have thrown it under the bus. It has prostituted itself to the world and we are no longer seeking to win the lost and usher them into the kingdom. We are more worried about our programs, facilities and hurting someone’s feelings than we are about the lost and dying world all around us.
We need to reshape our understanding of the church. We need to seek Jesus and follow Him when it comes to moving forward in the church. Yes, the church is not the building, but the building is supposed to house the church. Are we seeking to adore ourselves to Jesus? Are we seeking to knock down the gate of hell? Or are we just happy to be comfortable?
Jesus is the solid rock and His church will overcome!!
Dear Jesus, help us not to take church for granted. Help us not to regulate the church to a morning service or any service. Help us to revive the church in each of our lives so that the world may see Jesus in each of us. Help us to be beautiful for you when you return to get your bride. In the Groom’s name we pray, Amen.