Gregory Elder of Del Mar, CA, shares this humorous true story to reminds us that Christ is our Rock.
Growing up on the Atlantic Coast, I spent long hours working on intricate sand castles; whole cities would appear beneath my hands. One year, for several days in a row, I was accosted by bullies who smashed my creations.
Finally I tried an experiment: I placed cinder blocks, rocks, and chunks of concrete in the base of my castles. Then I built the sand kingdoms on top of the rocks.
When the local toughs appeared (and I disappeared), their bare feet suddenly met their match.
Many people see the church in peril from a variety of dangers: secularism, politics, heresies, or plain old sin. They forget that the church is built upon a Rock (Matthew 16:16), over which the gates of hell shall not prevail.
David Crabtree, Assistant Superintendent/Secretary for the North Carolina Assemblies of God, explains it this way.
Art often depicts Jesus with lambs and staffs and halos, but have you ever seen Jesus in a hard hat, surveying a site with blueprints in hand? Have you ever caught a glimpse of the “Master Builder” casting a knowing eye over a desolate wasteland? I’ve seen him, this Master Builder. I’ve seen him, blueprints in hand, gazing out over the barren Siberian steppes. I’ve seen him, the Master Builder, surveying the great cities of the world. He cries not only for Jerusalem. He weeps for your city. He weeps for the place where you’re working in the Master’s vineyard. I’ve seen him pouring massive foundations into the godless ruins of communism. I’ve seen him, this brilliant innovator, building a mighty church on martyrs’ blood in China….
Through all manner of evil, Satan has attempted to destroy God’s people. He has concentrated his temptation until the nations of the world are swimming in a cesspool of filth. He has employed tyrants and lunatics to wipe the church off the map. But the church has proven to be particularly stubborn. God has put within us a divine, holy stubborn streak that causes us to rise up and say: You can’t have the church. You can’t have victory in America. You’re not going to steal what’s been done. We’re raising up a remnant. We’re raising up a people who believe there is power available in the name of Jesus to build the church victorious and not listen to the lies of the adversary….
Our culture is in a downward spiral, but the culture shall not prevail. Our nation is at a spiritual low, but Christ’s kingdom advances against the night. Our testimony has been sullied by compromise and scandal, but his blood has not lost its power to cleanse. His name has not lost its power to save. His Word has not lost its power to conquer. His covenant endures, and his church shall yet rise to trample the gates of hell and declare his inevitable glory.
Friends, Jesus Christ is on the throne and reigns forever and ever. It is He who is building His church, not you or me. Thankfully He welcomes us to partner with Him in His glorious Kingdom work. He has called us to be His church, the “called out” ones. We have been called out from sin and from the world to be Christ’s chosen people to declare His Good News and Kingdom. May we always be faithful to His great calling.
This Sunday, February 4, will feature our annual “State of the Church” address. As a church, are we staying on track with the vision the Lord has for us? Thankfully it does not depend only upon our own abilities; we stand on the Rock, Christ Jesus! Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We livestream every Sunday to both locations.
This Sunday’s worship service will be followed by a Lunch in the Fellowship Hall (no need to bring anything except your appetite) and Everyone is invited! After the meal, all members are urged to stay for our 2024 Annual Meeting and we will rejoice over what the Lord has done in 2023.
Please join us for our next “Drive-Through Prayer” outreach in the parking lot this Saturday, February 3, from 11am-1pm. What divine appointments will happen this time? Come and find out.
Aloha ke Akua!
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