MATTHEW 16:18 – And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it(NIV)
Brethren, the bible in Psa. 127: 1 says “unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (NIV). This passage tells us that our being alive today or our being saved or our being sane and sound in our body, soul and spirit is not because we are smarter or more righteous above others. My prayer is that the Lord would continually watch over you and all of your interest in Jesus name.
In our text for the theme of the month, Matt. 16:18 our Lord Jesus Christ says “and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (NIV). Beloved, His Church refers to His people. So, His Church is not a physical building but believers united together in and with Christ. The Church refers to people and not building. So, if you are truly united with Christ and with other fellow believers then you belong to His Church. The members of His body (His Church) are the people that God was referring to in 2 Chro. 7:14 that “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (NIV).
Beloved, it takes humility for any man to give his or her life to Christ. It takes humility for you to realise the importance of uniting with other brethren through regular gathering to give Him pleasure inspite of the many differences. It takes humility for you to recognise that because we are different, we are not likely to view things in the same way and therefore learn to tolerate and forgive one another when we are offended. It takes humility for you to give your fellow brethren the benefit of the doubt at all time when you think they are wrong. Brethren, may I inform you that your level of humility would help greatly in receiving answers to your prayers. In other words, God would only hear the prayer from those who belong to His Church, His people. My prayer is that the Lord would hear your prayers in Jesus name.
Again, one of the reasons why God hears the prayer of His people (His Church) is because He wants to build them. He is aware that they exist in a world where there is so much pain, distresses, and all sorts. That was why He assured them in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). His Church would march on because He has overcome the world. This also assures me that as a member of His Church, you would march on as well as the Lord would overcome the world for you.
I pray that you would march on physically, spiritually, financially and emotionally in Jesus name. The Lord would build you as He builds His Church in Jesus name.
Shalom.
Dr. Yinka Okude
Parish Pastor
RCCG Jesus Sanctuary, Northampton
HYMN: BE GLAD IN THE LORD
