TEXT: Matthew 16:18-19
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
A POWERFUL, HOLY GHOST INDPIRED CHURCH IS BORN
The Body of Christ (not denominations, but the fellowship of true believers and genuine followers of Christ) is the most powerful institution on earth. It operates in supernatural realms, empowered by the creator of the universe, with its foundation firmly rooted in Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Christ triumph on the cross of calvary purchased this precious power for the church. Matt 16:18 puts it succinctly: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Jesus further said in Matt 18:19, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." The church started as a powerful, Holy Ghost inspired body and there is no institution on earth that the creator has given more power.
There is no doubt the church of Christ is entrusted with enormous powers, but for the power of the church to manifest in its fullest extent, there must be unity in the body of Christ. The household of faith must be one in order to harness its full powers. Power belongs to God (Psalms 62:11) and He has handed all power to Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18, Col 2:10); who has bestowed this power upon his church (Luke 10:19, Acts 1:18). The early church displayed the power of God because they were united. They had all things in common (Acts 2:44, 4:32). They turned the world upside down for Christ (Acts 17:6).
A WEALTHY BUT DISUNUTED AND POWERLESS CHURCH
Sadly today, the church is fragmented with different denominations, doctrines and agendas. We have Oversears who even claim the local church as their own. Churches fight against one another, twisting doctrines to suit human traditions. The church of old was poor financially but rich in the power of God. Many ministries are rich today, but the power of God is hardly visible. In the early church, evil and wicked men dare not step into the church because of the power of the Holy Spirit moving in the church but today, they prowl church altars with naked arrogance and brazenly display their wealth while most members live in penury. Jesus said: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Rev 3:17). Many churches today are physically rich but spiritually wretched.
The intense rivalry among ministries today is killing the power of the body of Christ. There is serious competition for titles, building of gigantic edifices, buying of private jets, issuing of political prophecies, hobnobbing with politicians and celebrities etc. This is not helping the household of faith.
THE CHURCH MUST RETURN TO THE CROSS
The church of Christ must return to the cross, embrace holiness, humility and surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus Christ, the head of the body. Poverty is not good, but the church must use its wealth for the propagation of the gospel and the welfare of the brethren and humanity. The church is the house of prayer, praise and the word of God, it should not be used as a market place, political campaign ground or occult temple.
There is always a remnant that God has kept for himself - the Philadelphian church - keeping the word of God and doing his will. Jesus said concerning this holy end time church in
Rev 3:7-8: "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
The Philadelphian church today is not a denomination, but the collection of brethren in different denominations doing God's will and propagating the gospel of Christ. Remember this: "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Tim 2:19).
The gates of hell cannot prevail against the body of Christ, but for the church to prevail against and throw down the gates of hell, there must be unity. The church has access to the keys of the kingdom of heaven but we must agree to work together as one body for the power of God to fully manifest on earth.
PRAYER:
Father, unite your church. Let the wind of Holy Ghost inspired revival blow upon your church in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
I belong to the house hold of faith.
Gid bless you. Shalom.
