And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. NKJV Matt 16:18

This is one of the most famous verses for the church in the bible and yet we often miss its meaning.
The first observation is that Jesus is not saying that Peter himself is the Rock on which he is building his church to elevate Peter, but to simply say that Peter has been proved to be right and trustworthy for the task. The Roman Catholic church have used this verse to elevate Peter above all the apostles and build a doctrine on it, this was never Christ’s intention or thinking.
The next part of the verse gives the reason why, it is Christ himself who will build his church, not Peter, Paul or anyone else.
Peter was certainly the one to be used to lay the first foundation as he preached faithfully in Jerusalem, but everything about the church was from God. Jesus himself, the Holy Spirit, the doctrine and teaching and last but not least salvation can only come through these gifts from heaven.
This leads to the second observation, it is Christ who builds his church and not us. As much as we plan programs, events and services, we have to remember that without prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, true growth will never occur. As we prepare for a season of evangelism, whether is be Crestwood or the work on Lakeside, let us remember what our role is. Ours is to be the workforce, the Lord is the one to make it happen and ultimately to receive the glory. Remember because it is his Church, he loves her with everything he has, and has no intention of damaging or destroying that which he has built.
The last observation is simply to look at the action of the church, here the church is seen not in a defensive mode as often portrayed but in an offensive, attacking formation. The gates of hell will not prevail. In other words, the power of the church will be stronger than the power of hell. The gates are its defence and the church that is built by Christ has the authority and power to break down the gates of hell and rescue those that are been drawn towards it. This is a fresh way of thinking, but it is a biblical way, the church instead of loosing lives to Satan, is storming the gates of hell and dragging people away from the pit of hell. No wonder Paul goes on to say that we are in a spiritual battle. How often are we storming hell, or are we just defending our castle.

Labels: Battle, Build, Church, Hell

“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of
the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up
and stand firm”. Psalm 20:4-5

Where does real power originate? Some battles in our world, down the centuries, have been won by vast numbers fighting against small armies. The sheer size and numbers of cavalry and infantry or tanks and airplanes can win a battle. But most wars are won by great commanders who have led whatever armies they have with superior strategies or insight.
Today a nations power is based on how much military muscle they have at their disposal, they may boast of their rocketry technology or their special forces units. But as quick as nations come, they fall.
So many times in the bible times the weak, who had no might of their own, stood against the mighty powers of this world and won. Why because God was with them.

Isaiah says,

Call your councils of war, but they will be worthless. Develop your strategies,
but they will not succeed. For God is with us!” Isaiah 8:10

We are reminded in Ephesians that we are not fighting against physical enemies of war, our battle is bigger than this, it is against the power of Satan and his demons.
Satan is a mighty commander, who will easily achieve his purposes if we fight back with our own armory.

Satan’s influence on many world kings and leaders has caused them to boast in their greatness and to belittle and tread on the things of God.
Men may laugh and scorn, but there is one who makes even Satan like a pussy cat.

The Lord God Almighty, he is strong in battle, who can compare with him. We are not here to boast of our own strength, because we are defeated the moment we utter such words. We boast in the name of Christ, the giver of life, the conqueror of the grave and the one in whom we have the victory.

David didn't boast of his armies, he boasted in the name of El Shaddai (the Almighty God). Why? because there is no power, or commander or strategy of man or of this universe that can make any dent in the armour and power of the living God. No whom to boast in, boast in the LORD

Labels: Battle, Boast, Strategies

Labels: Battle, Glory, Spiritual, victory

Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the Lord says." 1 Kings 22:5

Going into battle in the days of ancient kings was a common affair. Knowing your enemy and the best time to attack was essential to success. Kings had prophets and seers to give them advice on such matters. Very much like Presidents have their aides, who have their own special areas of expertise.

Even today, many kings and presidents rely on all manner of different types of advisers, often using the occult for discernment. Little has changed in the worlds history.

In King Ahab's case, he had 400 Prophets of Asherah who advised him, servants of a false god. Today people look to psychics and ignore the living God.

Even Christians leave God to the last possible moment for advice, because they either don't trust God or don't want to hear what he has to say. This was certainly the situation with Ahab. Because he was an ungodly king, his practices were foreign to God and therefore whenever a man of God came to him, it was always a rebuke.

If he had listened, rebukes would have become blessings, but a cold heart cannot see truth.

Jehoshaphat was a godly King of Judah, he followed after the Lord and his opening remarks are something we can cling onto for a message for life "But first let’s find out what the Lord says." The conditions were right, the cause was right, the army was right for its size and combat capabilities, but Jehoshaphat knew, this means nothing unless the Lord is with you. 400 prophets said one thing - but God’s prophet said something different. Who would you follow?

What did Jehoshaphat say? Let’s find out what the Lord says. We all lack understanding and even though we read God’s word, there are times when we don’t get it or we just haven’t digested enough of it in. But instead of doing our own thing or following the crowd, we must find out, read more of his word, ask other believers for advise and seek God in prayer, then and only then go into battle.

King Ahab refused to listen to God’s prophet and as a result he lost his life. The battle itself was won, but the king was replaced, ultimately because he refused to seek the Lord’s counsel.

As believers in the battles we face, we have the Almighty God to guide our paths. Find out which way he wants you to go and trust him and don’t move until you know that is what he wants and not just what everyone else thinks.

Labels: Battle, God, Jehoshaphat