Weekly Newsletter
Pastor David’s Weekly Devotional
Although many have tried, no one can truly destroy, defile, or even diminish the true church of the living God – not even the gates of death itself! Christ’s church is an indestructible and unshakable work of God. The church is His church, and He will be glorified in it and through it. Jesus Himself declared, “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt.16:18). That statement – from none other than the Son of God Himself – displays the sacred majesty and sovereign invincibility of the church of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18).
The true church, through all of its weaknesses and imperfections, displays and proclaims God’s sovereign grace, perfect love, and infinite goodness. It is “[God’s] intent that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” (Eph.3:10). The church is God’s chosen instrument from which the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ will be declared and demonstrated to the whole world, and even into the heavenly realms. The sobering reality for us is that anyone who abuses or attacks the true church of Jesus Christ opposes the person and work of Christ Himself! (compare Acts 8:1-33 and 9:1-4).
To be sure, the church – as we perceive it here on earth – is not perfect. There is no great or startling revelation in announcing that the church on earth has weaknesses and shortcomings. First of all, we know that no one in the church is perfect and that “we all stumble in many ways” (Jms.3:2). Obviously, the fact that every Christian is “under construction” – continually struggling and growing in their personal holiness and Christlikeness – will have an unconstructive impact on the testimony of the church. Secondly, we also know that God sovereignly and graciously tolerates believers, unbelievers, and false believers to co-exist in the church until the Day of Judgment (cf. Matt.13:24-30, 34-43). Thirdly, we know that while on earth the church will suffer persecution from evil Satanic forces (cf. Eph.6:10-18). In all this, and through all this, God will be magnified and glorified as the true church will be justified, sanctified, and glorified according to His sovereign purpose and plan. This is beautifully expressed in the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation”, written in 1866 by Samuel J. Stone:
As true believers in Jesus Christ, we are truly blessed to be a part of His church! It is an honor and privilege to be given the responsibility by Christ to be His witnesses and messengers in the world. May we never waver or weaken in our desire to serve and worship Him in His church; may we never tire or turn away from our mission to proclaim and display Him to the world; and may we never falter or fail to find joy in being a part of the church of the Living God!
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #25):
Leviticus 4-6; 1 Kings 14-18; Psalm 72-74; Proverbs 5-6; Ezekiel 7-12; Luke 13-14; Ephesians 4-6
Recommended Reading:
“What is the Church?” by R.C. Sproul
Although many have tried, no one can truly destroy, defile, or even diminish the true church of the living God – not even the gates of death itself! Christ’s church is an indestructible and unshakable work of God. The church is His church, and He will be glorified in it and through it. Jesus Himself declared, “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matt.16:18). That statement – from none other than the Son of God Himself – displays the sacred majesty and sovereign invincibility of the church of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18).
The true church, through all of its weaknesses and imperfections, displays and proclaims God’s sovereign grace, perfect love, and infinite goodness. It is “[God’s] intent that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” (Eph.3:10). The church is God’s chosen instrument from which the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ will be declared and demonstrated to the whole world, and even into the heavenly realms. The sobering reality for us is that anyone who abuses or attacks the true church of Jesus Christ opposes the person and work of Christ Himself! (compare Acts 8:1-33 and 9:1-4).
To be sure, the church – as we perceive it here on earth – is not perfect. There is no great or startling revelation in announcing that the church on earth has weaknesses and shortcomings. First of all, we know that no one in the church is perfect and that “we all stumble in many ways” (Jms.3:2). Obviously, the fact that every Christian is “under construction” – continually struggling and growing in their personal holiness and Christlikeness – will have an unconstructive impact on the testimony of the church. Secondly, we also know that God sovereignly and graciously tolerates believers, unbelievers, and false believers to co-exist in the church until the Day of Judgment (cf. Matt.13:24-30, 34-43). Thirdly, we know that while on earth the church will suffer persecution from evil Satanic forces (cf. Eph.6:10-18). In all this, and through all this, God will be magnified and glorified as the true church will be justified, sanctified, and glorified according to His sovereign purpose and plan. This is beautifully expressed in the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation”, written in 1866 by Samuel J. Stone:
The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the word:
From Heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
'Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
As true believers in Jesus Christ, we are truly blessed to be a part of His church! It is an honor and privilege to be given the responsibility by Christ to be His witnesses and messengers in the world. May we never waver or weaken in our desire to serve and worship Him in His church; may we never tire or turn away from our mission to proclaim and display Him to the world; and may we never falter or fail to find joy in being a part of the church of the Living God!
Together in and for Christ,
Pastor David
Scripture Readings for the Week (Monday – Sunday ~ Week #25):
Leviticus 4-6; 1 Kings 14-18; Psalm 72-74; Proverbs 5-6; Ezekiel 7-12; Luke 13-14; Ephesians 4-6
Recommended Reading:
“What is the Church?” by R.C. Sproul
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