Building the Church

Jesus said that He was building His church...and that the gates of hell would not prevail against the church.

In military arsenal the gates would be defensive.

The gates are to protect a city [kingdom] and its people [military, civilians] and goods.

Jesus says that He builds His church by overcoming Satan/strongman...by reaching into the kingdom of Satan...the kingdom of darkness...and transferring its citizens out and making them citizens of the High King...King Jesus!

We must understand the church in this light.

We must begin to understand the church as an ever growing community...a growing family.

God tells us that Jesus came to save sinners...and we often translate this into meaning, "the church needs to get out there and share the gospel...and it does need to do this.

But is there more to that mission?
How is the church operate...what is it to look like?

What is Jesus' heart toward those not yet in the kingdom...but those who He is going to bring in?

Luke 15 tells us Jesus' heart.

Jesus leaves the 99 to go and get the one!

When we think about and plan our preaching...our singing...our bible studies, our prayer times...do we do so with merely the 99 in mind...or do we ever think about how the one will respond?

Just some thoughts.