The Unstoppable Force
The Church...What is it? Who is it? What is it good for in the 21st century? How necessary is it really? Does God still want to work through the church in this modern day and age? Are there really any other options?
According to Jesus, no matter how strange or challenging the church can be at times, the very gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Ellen White commenting on this once wrote:
AThe church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by his Holy Spirit. "
Ellen White, Sons and Daughters of God, 13. Manuscript 155, 1902
In his sermon this week, Pastor Jon reflects on the significance of the church and how God is at work in and through us as a part of it. If you would like to listen to the sermon once again (or perhaps for the first time) you can click here to go to our sermon library (or go to the church web site and click on "worship/prayer" and then "sermon library.")
Biblical Images of the Church
Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)
Things to think more about
Take a few moments to reflect on the questions Jesus asks, and the things Jesus says in the scripture passage for this week:
Who Am I To You? Where do I really fit in the scheme of your life?
On the rock of Peter's confession, Jesus builds His church. When you think about your answer to the previous question, what kind of community to you envision God building on it?
The gates of hell (literally the grave, or death itself) cannot undo what God builds. Think for a moment on the significance of that.
In some way we are given the privilege of handling the keys to what God has already bound up or let loose in our world. The Keys of the Kingdom. Somehow, God has given us the awesome privilege of having a part to play in "unlocking" this for others. What do you think about the idea that we can have such an important role to play in sharing the good news with others?
Take a few moments to quietly reflect on the kind of unstoppable force God has released into this world through the church by listening to the video selection below.
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.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.