"I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Mt 16:18
There is no institution in the history of the world that has been so viciously attacked as the church. For two thousand years, the Church has endured endless assault and yet today it is the largest, most vibrant movement in the world. There are over 5 million congregations of Christians in the world today and over 100,000 Christian ministries, which collectively comprise the church of Christ. They speak over 4,000 languages and exist in every country of the world. Seventy five percent of the world's population now lives within walking distance of a church. This reality is an incredible statement about the power of God and the truth of his promises. What began in a small village in a manger with a baby has permanently changed the course of human history. It is not because the followers of Jesus were the smartest, or the richest, or the most powerful. In fact, more often then not, they were the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. But they were faithful. They believed that Christ was greater than anything else this world had to offer. They invested their lives in the teaching and preaching of his word, from one generation to the next. They counted this life as nothing so they might gain that which is eternal--a lasting part in the ingathering of souls into God's kingdom from the ends of the earth. There are still an estimated five million churches that need to be planted. Jesus promises he will do it, he will cause it to happen. But the amazing thing is, he chooses to do it with us, his people. We are not guaranteed immediate success, but we are guaranteed that Christ will prevail, his church will triumph, and one day the seeds that were sown in every community in the world will yield an eternal harvest that brings glory to God and worship to His Son.
Heavenly Father, count us worthy to be your instruments of peace and reconciliation through Christ Jesus.
There is no institution in the history of the world that has been so viciously attacked as the church. For two thousand years, the Church has endured endless assault and yet today it is the largest, most vibrant movement in the world. There are over 5 million congregations of Christians in the world today and over 100,000 Christian ministries, which collectively comprise the church of Christ. They speak over 4,000 languages and exist in every country of the world. Seventy five percent of the world's population now lives within walking distance of a church. This reality is an incredible statement about the power of God and the truth of his promises. What began in a small village in a manger with a baby has permanently changed the course of human history. It is not because the followers of Jesus were the smartest, or the richest, or the most powerful. In fact, more often then not, they were the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized. But they were faithful. They believed that Christ was greater than anything else this world had to offer. They invested their lives in the teaching and preaching of his word, from one generation to the next. They counted this life as nothing so they might gain that which is eternal--a lasting part in the ingathering of souls into God's kingdom from the ends of the earth. There are still an estimated five million churches that need to be planted. Jesus promises he will do it, he will cause it to happen. But the amazing thing is, he chooses to do it with us, his people. We are not guaranteed immediate success, but we are guaranteed that Christ will prevail, his church will triumph, and one day the seeds that were sown in every community in the world will yield an eternal harvest that brings glory to God and worship to His Son.
Heavenly Father, count us worthy to be your instruments of peace and reconciliation through Christ Jesus.