Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Listen to the Word

“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”  (Matthew 16:18)

There are a number of interesting metaphors that can be used to describe the church: It is a hospital. It is a school. It is a family. But the image Jesus chose is a military one – he described the church as an army. When he talks about the gates of Hades, he is reminding us that we’ve got a fight on our hands.

When you come to church, you are doing more than visiting with friends, singing a few songs, and gathering some information about God. You are being equipped for battle. You are getting your sword sharpened and your armor strengthened. You are receiving instructions from Jesus, your commanding officer.

Every time you do ministry, you are engaging in battle. When you encourage a third grader, or you feed someone who is hungry, or you share your faith with a co-worker, you are claiming ground for Christ one life at a time. It is an act of spiritual aggression as you say by your actions, “Satan, you can’t have this family, or this marriage, or this child, or this school, or this apartment complex. Not on my watch. Jesus is going to win this one.”

Live the Word

Ask God to help you to change the way you approach church attendance this week. Ask him to use your time in church to equip you to fight the good fight for him in your daily life.