Sunday, January 25, 2009

"...on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."
Matthew 16:18

"Who needs the church anyway?" Apparently Jesus does! He builds it and empowers it to accomplish His mission. He assures that His church, made of those who confess Him as Peter did, will stand triumphant so that hell itself will not be able to withstand its offensive. How awesome to belong to Christ's church!

Father, I thank you for including me in the triumphant church of Jesus Christ. Make our church what what Christ intends for it to be as we submit our lives to Him.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. Be a BereanJanuary 26, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    "If anyone desires to come after Me,let him deny himself,and take up his cross,and follow ME."
    Matt 16:24

    Here Jesus is telling me to forsake myself(my desires,wants,needs)for the sake of the kingdom and others.For me this difficult to accomplish.It goes against the human nature of self preservation and everything I was taught before becoming a FDFC.
    The command to take up my own cross and to follow tells me to bear my burdens for the sake of kingdom and not for myself.What I normally would consider a trouble or evil thing must be considered a blessing.If GOD thinks I am capable of bearing this cross,then I must have faith that it will honor GOD.Because, GOD honors faith because faith honors GOD.So to suffer in the world for the sake of Christ is a cross that we should all happily bear.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2009 at 5:14 PM

    This chapter is full of history-making questions and statements. The Pharisees and the Sadducees, two religious factions that normally did not get along now marshaled their forces together to trap Jesus. They are looking for a sign from heaven but Jesus tells them that a wicked and adulterous generation requires a sign. The only sign that will be given them is the sign of Jonah. (There is that sign mentioned again.) Jesus then travels across the lake with His disciples. He cautions them to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees. In typical fashion they think that He is talking about their forgetting to bring bread. They are again sidetracked on another issue of less importance. (Now that is a line that speaks to me). “You of little faith (ouch), why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?” With a short but painful rebuke Jesus helps get them refocused. How often the reminders in Scripture help to re-center me. When we remember God’s help in the past, we are better able to face the present and the future. Remember the 5,000 and the 4,000? Jesus is interested in them understanding Him. Now another question – Who do people say that I am? Jesus get their feedback and ask a more pointed question – Who do you say that I am? Without hesitation, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” WOW! They are beginning to understand. Peter, you are blessed because God has revealed this to you. Jesus was not engaging the fisherman in an intellectual exercise. If Peter was to lead the church, he would have to know who Jesus is and His purpose. Jesus affirms Peter’s future part in leading the church. As Jesus provides more information on His purpose and coming sacrifice for humanity, Peter says, “Never, Lord.” How is it that Peter can state such truth one minute and be a stumbling block the next? I have found that Peter does not have a monopoly here. It takes discipline and focus to keep the mind on the things of God. Jesus launches into a paradoxical statement next that can only be understood if the mind is on the things of God. Following Jesus requires total surrender and active participation in His plan. To withhold anything is to have our minds on the things of men, not God. The longer I live the Christian faith the more I realize that it is a total commitment to obey.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)