The Church occupies a unique place among all the institutions of the world. It is unique for a number of reasons. No other institution is built upon the foundation the Church is built upon. No other institution is the Body of Christ. No other institution finds its dynamic leadership in the Holy Spirit. No other institution is a spiritual institution as is the Church. No other institution has the lifespan of the Church or the everlasting hope the Church has. The Church is the only invincible institution on the face of the earth. Everything else rises and falls but the Church has the promise that even the “gates of hell” shall not prevail against her.
The world is fond of saying, “We live in a post-Christian era.” We might be living in a post-Christing era where they are concerned but we are not living in a post-Church era and, I might remind you that the Bible teaches that the Church is the spiritual Body of Christ. The Church is still here and will be until time ends. The world just needs to get over it!
So then, what is the matter? What is wrong with the Church today? I believe that the root of our problem lies in the fact that we have lost the vision of WHO the church really is. Its wonder, beauty, glory and greatness seem to fail us. The other institutions of the world all offer something to their people. Some are financial in nature. Some are political in nature. Some have education as their main purpose for existing. But the Church is different. The Church is the only institution which is redemptive in nature. Others may give you a variety of offerings, but it is the church and only the church which is redemptive. Jesus gave the great commission to the Church. He brings the message of salvation through the Church. And, it is the Church for which He will one day return.
No matter what the world does to the Church or says about the Church, we must remember that the Church will stand until Jesus comes back. Since humans are involved, it may have its problems from time to time but it will always stand until Jesus comes back. What makes the Church invincible? Why has satan with all his schemes been unable to defeat the Church? Why have humans been unable to destroy it and believe me, many have tried.
Show me a church which is interested in teaching and believing the Bible as well as seeking to lead its people into obedience and I will show you a church which will be under constant satanic attack. If you are part of such a church, don’t be afraid. It’s a sign that you are on the right track.
If you notice, satan doesn’t just give up and vacate the premises when a person gets saved. He has been in the business of harassment, and intimidation and oppression of God’s People for a long, long time. That is his only tool left to use on us since he cannot cause us to become unsaved. Once a person is saved, salvation is no longer the issue. Obedience is the issue. Many saved people feel unsaved because they live like that. They are grieving God’s Holy Spirit by the way they live. But even though they are not faithful to Him, He is faithful to them because they are one of His children. He will punish them, but He will not throw them away.
I would like to offer you some suggestions as to why the Church is invincible. First, the Church is invincible because of the transformed nature of its believers. Every member should be a person who is transformed…a child of God through Jesus Christ. They should be saved people. There are many in our churches today who are just members. They are not a part of the Boby of Christ because they are redeemed. They are not saved people. Every church has people in it that don’t know Christ as savior. They may be good people, but Jesus didn’t come to make them good people. He came to save sinners and turn them into children of God. The church whose members confess their belief in Jesus Christ and commit their lives to Jesus, the Messiah who is God Himself is an invincible church. Being born anew by the Spirit of God is the necessary ingredient for being a true part of the Body of Christ…the Church.
Michaelangelo could sculpt a David from solid marble…that is art. Shakespear could create a sonnet or poem with pen and paper…that’s genius. John D. Rockefeller could sign his name to a blank check and it became worth millions…that’s capital. A skilled workman can mold and shape wood and metal…that’s craftmanship. But, only God can take a sinner and make a Saint of them…that’s Redemption. The invincible church has a redeemed; transformed group of people who form it. The Church is heavenly in nature and the people must be heavenly in nature also.
The Church is invincible because of its living, dynamic relationship to Christ through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. In Matthew 16:18 we find a living, dynamic relationship between Christ and the Church. It is built to Christ. He is the cornerstone. It is built BY Christ because he says “I will build my Church.” And, it is successful only through His Power…”the gates of hell shall not be able to withstand its power.” (Proper translation). Ultimately the Church is invincible because of Who builds it, (Jesus) and empowers it, the Holy Spirit). The Lord said:
“I will build MY Church.” Every Christian has a dynamic relationship with the one who built the church…not the pastor, not a staff member, not another member, but with the one who designed and build the Church. And, I might add, He has not relegated that responsibility to anyone. Man can build a crowd, but only The Lord can build His Church. Man will only cheapen what the Lord can build. Human beings will turn the Church into a cheap, worldly imitation of what the Lord builds; His Glorious Body….the Church.
The church is also invincible because of the unique way in which it does its work. There is an eternal principle for building a great Spirit-filled church. In Mt. 16:24, Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Luke adds…”take up his cross daily.” That is submission to the Holy Spirit. What is the cross? Many are confused about that. It is the Christian life and only saved people have the Christian life to life. The Church is also invincible when her people practice self-denial and obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. When we dethrone ourselves and enthrone Jesus in our lives, His power becomes ours. Dethroning yourself is self-denial. We have too many preachers today who operate opposite to this principle of self-denial. They are guaranteeing their ultimate failure and not the success they so desire. Many use the church to “actualize” themselves. There is a generational shift these days on what is considered important; the pastor’s success or the church’s success. A Pastor truly has to die to self to do what is required of him.
Pastors need to understand that we never bless unless we bleed. A candle never gives light without being consumed. Water does not boil until it reaches 212 degrees. Grapes must be crushed to yield their juice and wheat is ground to make flour for bread. You see, Jesus taught that self-denial is the key to success as a Christian. So, Jesus is teaching that the Church is invincible when we do several things….deny self, take up or cross daily and follow Him by rendering obedience to Him.
The Church is invincible because of its assurance. The church has its assurance granted by none other than Jesus Himself. It is assured of its power (“upon this rock”), by its purpose and its preservation..(“the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”) The people of the world, the unsaved, the ungodly, don’t want to hear what the church has to say concerning life and how t live it. But, they must understand that the church stands where she stands with assurance. She will stand the test of time. So, no matter what happens to society, we have full assurance and we are guaranteed deliverance. The world is the one at risk. If people don’t want to hear what God’s people have to say on how to live life, then why do they dome to the Pastor and Church at the pint of death when it’s funeral time? If we aren’t worthy to be heard NOW, then why come to the church THEN? Deep down inside they innately know that something valuable is there.
Understand, the church is not at risk. The only things we should be interested in are salvation for the lost and holy living for the saints. If we change that agenda, we do so at our own peril. The world needs to ask this question: “Is there anyone else…any institution or individual which is interested in seeing the lost saved other than the church? Is there anyone or any institution which offer the one thing that can change their lives here and prepare them for eternity with the Lord? Is there any other group of people other than the church which cares about you and your eternal home? NO! But Jesus cares and His Church does too. One final thought: “If Jesus doesn’t take you to heaven when you die, then how do you plan to get there.” You can’t do it without Him.
