January 2022 Devotional: Build Your Church

Matthew 16:18 (NLT)

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),[a] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[b] will not conquer it.

As I listened to the end of the "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill" podcast, it was sadly familiar.  The church dissolved at the hands of a Pastor who allowed his pride and ego to overshadow the gospel with immature antics, shenanigans, and abusive behavior toward members.

The church had been "flourishing" with salvations, baptisms, marriages, and astronomical numerical growth but unfortunately, it did not last because the church became more about the Pastor and his celebrity brand than it did about Jesus and saving souls.

Mars Hill is yet another cautionary tale about what happens when the church takes its focus off the gospel and starts making it about everything else BUT Jesus. 

I once watched a sermon from the legendary evangelist, Billy Graham.  He said people would ask how he managed to fill arenas and stadiums for his crusades.  He said it wasn't advertising but it was the Holy Spirit

Sadly in the social media age, the church has become a way for people who couldn't make it in the secular arena to live out their dreams of being famous and a celebrity.  Because these folks lack substance and "the unction of the Holy Spirit" they have to resort to ridiculous antics and create spectacles in an attempt to get more viewers.  

I pray that as we see revival in our local churches that we pray for the same to happen.  It's not about creating spectacles but the Holy Spirit drawing the people back to the Father.

Sanctify Yourselves...

Joshua 3:5
And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify[c] yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 

Before the Children of Israel crossed the Jordan over into the Promised Land,  they had to cross over the Jordan river which was swollen with the seasonal rains.  How were they going to get across?!

Before the Jordan crossing, Joshua and his officers went through the camp and told the people to get ready and prepare themselves because the Lord was going to move extraordinarily among them.  

Joshua prepared the people for the move of God and when the priests who had the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan. (Joshua 3:17)

I believe we are in a season of preparation.  Clearly, the "Experts" and "Leaders"  in the world don't have the answers and are adding to confusion and chaos.  It's also clear that God is getting ready to move which is why he's calling us to purify ourselves because he will perform wonders among us.

Had Joshua not told the people to prepare for the move of God, I'm sure they would have been overwhelmed, paralyzed, and unable to go across the Jordan River.

Likewise, we must also be prepared as the Lord begins to move extraordinarily among us so that we aren't surprised and can move as he directs us.

Action Step: Pray for YOUR local church fellowship

I recently did an online devotional for my church during our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting and I really felt the Lord asking us to be in prayer for our local churches.

2020 provided a tremendous reset for the church.  I believe it was the Lord shaking us up so that we can get our focus back on our mission: to Go make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I believe it's time for believers to begin praying for our local church fellowships.  This has been a time of discouragement, shaking, pruning, and it can be hard to keep on keeping on.  However, let's keep in mind that no matter what the enemy does, the powers of Hell will not conquer the church.  

Let's continue to pray for 

• Pastors
• Elders
• Teachers 
• Worship Leaders
• Intercessors
• Church Members to be revived

Build Your Church Prayer

I love the song Build Your Church from Elevation Church and Maverick City because the song emphasizes that it's Jesus' church.  It's not our church. The church is not our brand; it's not a money-making scheme, it's not a living well program, and it's not a vehicle to become famous and live out our celebrity fantasies.

Let the lyrics to this song be our prayer today.

On Christ alone, our Chief Cornerstone
No other foundation can we build upon
Not philosophy nor the wisdom of man
All other ground is sinking sand

Upon this rock, You build Your Church.
And the gates of hell will not prevail (no, no)
When we bind and loose, we proclaim Your truth
And in Jesus' name, we will not fail
We'll never fail

Build Your Church
Build it from the ground up
It's Your Church
We're Your Church

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:21)