Jesus will Build His Church

A pledge Jesus made 2,000 years ago has encouraged me lately. It would be easy to become discouraged by what is happening in our world. Things aren’t looking very bright and cheery right now. The news constantly reports on the failure of church leaders and organizations. Descriptions of people “deconstructing their faith” are regular tabloid type news. The bigger the church, the more famous the leader, the harder they fall and the bigger the schadenfreude. The Apostle Matthew records Jesus’ pledge “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matthew 16:18 (NLT) I’ve been encouraged by the remembering and reflecting on Jesus’ pledge. Let me pull Jesus’ pledge apart by reminding us that the church is the people who follow Jesus! The church is not a building, it’s not a legal entity, it’s not the organization. The church is the gathering of the followers of Jesus. It’s His church. The church isn’t a man-made organization. The church isn’t just something that happened under sociological circumstances. Jesus started the church, loves the church, and has never stopped building it. It is a church. The church isn’t a social club, an eatery, a service organization, a hospital, clinic, or school. At times and in countless ways churches do all those things, but the church’s mission is to introduce the “Giver and Lord of life” to people He loves. The Apostle Paul describes believers as ambassadors with a ministry of reconciling people to God. That’s the mission. Jesus’ flock loves gathering and socializing, eating, and serving. The church cares for the sick and marginalized and educates children and adults. All those things are admirable and good. But the church is the only one who can introduce people to Jesus! The powers of hell hate the church and individual believers! The powers of hell will do everything they can to prevent the church from introducing people to Jesus. The list of ways the powers of hell seek to conquer the church is endless. The powers of hell tempt, frustrate, discourage, persecute, come against in thought, and legal action, get people angry at each other and at groups, etc. infinitum. Jesus won’t let the powers of hell conquer. HE WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH! Don’t let the powers of hell keep you from being the church and introducing people to Jesus! Let’s do the mission – If you are a Jesus follower, you are an AMBASSADOR OF RECONCILIATION!

Jesus is Building His Church

Throughout history Jesus has used circumstances and troublesome seasons to strengthen disciples and expand the church. The early months and years of the church were filled with turmoil, suffering and martyrdom. During the first few centuries of the church’s existence, the world endured a multitude of pandemics.

Throughout the centuries one hardship after another hit the world, but the church continued to grow and prosper. Through plagues, famines, fires, earthquakes, wars and persecution the church continued to grow. Decade after decade more and more people found hope in the life, death, burial, resurrection, teaching and example of Jesus.

During WWII and the Korean conflict, the church continued to grow. Many of the largest churches in the world are in Korea, and Korean churches rank among the top missionary sending churches in the world. The revolutions and persecutions throughout the 20th century of Chinese believers didn’t weaken the church - the church in China grew in strength and number.

The Apostle Peter wrote to mid-first century followers of Jesus: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.” 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)

The church will come out of the current pandemic, and financial crisis strengthened. Jesus declared: “I will build my church and the Gates of Hell will not stop me!” (Matt’s paraphrase)

Let Jesus strengthen you as your trust and faith are tested.