Thank you for reading the sermon for the week once again. As always, I am thankful to the Lord for giving me this opportunity. I hope that you are all doing well this week.
Today, I want us to focus our attention on a statement made by Jesus after Peter's confession that Jesus was the Messiah. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
I want to focus on the end of that verse about the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. There are basically two ways that this verse in interpreted. I think that they are both valid, so let's look at both of them.
Some interpret this passage to mean that the church made up of believers in Jesus will on this earth be able to withstand the attacks of the evil one. The powers of hell will not be able to stamp out the church no matter how hard they try. Ultimately, those who are in Christ are the victors over death, hell and the grave, so the powers of hell have no way to be victorious ultimately over those who are members of the body of Christ.
This is absolutely true. All of us will have trials and trouble in this life. We who know Jesus will be tempted by the forces of evil to turn against the way of Jesus. However, we are overcomers through the power of the Spirit who dwells withing us. The powers of evil cannot snatch us out of the hand of the Father. When we die, we will go to be with Jesus in the place that He has prepared for those who love Him.
Also, the powers of darkness try to thwart the mission and ministry of the church. Persecution and trials are brought against the church to destroy it. However, the powers of darkness cannot and will not overcome the body of Christ.
Now, there is another equally valid way to look at this statement of Jesus. We as the people of God are on the offensive against the forces of evil. We are to be actively working to bring light and goodness into the world and stop the oppressive forces of darkness that seek to ruin people's lives.
When those who are believers in Jesus are working together to bring good and right and hope and peace into this world, the powers of the evil oppressors will not be able to withstand. The power of the people of God will prevail.
We as followers of Jesus have as our mission to bring about as much good as we can into this world. We are to bring hope and healing to this world. We are to bring the message of the life transforming love of Jesus to the world.
Ultimately, Jesus will return to this earth. He will cast down all that is wrong and evil. Death and Hell will be destroyed, and Jesus shall reign forever and ever.
Let us all work to overcome evil with good. Let us seek peace and pursue it. Let us love God and our neighbor. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for those recovering from the bad storms. There are people who need help in the Caribbean, the Philippines, Vietnam and Alaska. Pray that they will get the aid and the help that they need.
Keep praying for peace. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and Sudan all need our prayers.
Pray that people will get the food aid that they need here in the US.
For our prayer focus countries this week let us pray for those in the nations of North Korea and Lebanon. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, I will post a topical message. We will start a new series in the New Year. I will post the verses on Tuesday and another chapter of the book on Wednesday. May God bless you all.
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