Matthew
16:18 (ESV) - "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."
The #Covid-19 crisis no doubt is having a significant, and probably
measurable effect, on churches locally, nationally and around the world.
Hopefully, professing Christians will use this time to draw near to the
Lord and grow stronger in their relationship with Him.
Prayer, fasting, worship and praise, reading the Bible, spending time with the Lord and hearing from Him should help to make us all stronger. Intimacy with the Lord naturally leads to a stronger faith in Him.
From this entire experience, hopefully again, many Christians will "discover" that the Christian church is not a building, whether the structure is a grand cathedral or a warehouse. The infinite God cannot be contained inside a building. He will be present wherever He wishes, and chances are His spirit already left many churches long ago, which is why some are dead on arrival or on life-support.
Jesus said He would build His "church," and that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Not if He built it, meaning our local church(es). He also warned churches of Asia Minor mentioned in the Book of Revelation that if they did not shape up (repent), He would remove their lampstand (His light). Jesus made it clear that He is the head of the Christian church. Jesus can also shut down - spiritually - and physically - a church. Once Jesus shuts down a ministry, that's it.
What is a church? We are told throughout the Gospels and Epistles that we - who profess to be Christians - make up the church community (1 Peter 2:5). The church, as conceived in the Bible, does not consist of denominations or personality cults. Even the title "non-denominational" can be a trap, depending on what's going on in a particular congregation.
The worldwide church that Jesus founded includes people from all nations, ethnic backgrounds and languages. The Holy Spirit of God knows no borders. If we grieve the Holy Spirit in one place, He will take God's presence somewhere else (Revelation 2:5). What is left behind simply becomes a museum to the memory of what once was. The leaders of such a congregation must be willing to "start over," in heartfelt repentance, or move on if the Lord leads them to do that.
I believe that the #coronavirus #pandemic is bringing about a great shaking in the Christian church (Hebrews 12:26-29). Only what is real and genuine (individually and corporately) will remain standing, with or without a building. Let us not waste this opportunity to draw near to the Lord because we may not have another chance like it in the future (James 4:8).
Shalom!
Faith Today Christian Ministries - Exalting the name of Jesus!
Diana Washington-Valdez
Scriptures
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) - "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."
1 Peter 2:5 (NLT) - "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[a] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."
Revelation 2:5 (NLT) - "Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."
Hebrews 12: 26-29 (NLT) - 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
James 4:8 (NLT) - "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."
 |
| Open Bible image |
Prayer, fasting, worship and praise, reading the Bible, spending time with the Lord and hearing from Him should help to make us all stronger. Intimacy with the Lord naturally leads to a stronger faith in Him.
From this entire experience, hopefully again, many Christians will "discover" that the Christian church is not a building, whether the structure is a grand cathedral or a warehouse. The infinite God cannot be contained inside a building. He will be present wherever He wishes, and chances are His spirit already left many churches long ago, which is why some are dead on arrival or on life-support.
Jesus said He would build His "church," and that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Not if He built it, meaning our local church(es). He also warned churches of Asia Minor mentioned in the Book of Revelation that if they did not shape up (repent), He would remove their lampstand (His light). Jesus made it clear that He is the head of the Christian church. Jesus can also shut down - spiritually - and physically - a church. Once Jesus shuts down a ministry, that's it.
What is a church? We are told throughout the Gospels and Epistles that we - who profess to be Christians - make up the church community (1 Peter 2:5). The church, as conceived in the Bible, does not consist of denominations or personality cults. Even the title "non-denominational" can be a trap, depending on what's going on in a particular congregation.
The worldwide church that Jesus founded includes people from all nations, ethnic backgrounds and languages. The Holy Spirit of God knows no borders. If we grieve the Holy Spirit in one place, He will take God's presence somewhere else (Revelation 2:5). What is left behind simply becomes a museum to the memory of what once was. The leaders of such a congregation must be willing to "start over," in heartfelt repentance, or move on if the Lord leads them to do that.
I believe that the #coronavirus #pandemic is bringing about a great shaking in the Christian church (Hebrews 12:26-29). Only what is real and genuine (individually and corporately) will remain standing, with or without a building. Let us not waste this opportunity to draw near to the Lord because we may not have another chance like it in the future (James 4:8).
Shalom!
Faith Today Christian Ministries - Exalting the name of Jesus!
Diana Washington-Valdez
Scriptures
Matthew 16:18 (ESV) - "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."
1 Peter 2:5 (NLT) - "And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[a] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God."
Revelation 2:5 (NLT) - "Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches."
Hebrews 12: 26-29 (NLT) - 26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
James 4:8 (NLT) - "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."
No comments:
Post a Comment