The gates of hell shall not prevail

As the people began to praise the Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior; the praise turned to worship.  Gathered in the presence of the child born, the son given, the one called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us; the WORD, Jesus Christ was present and the power of the Holy Ghost rained upon the people because hearts were emptied and broken; the spirit of a contrite heart of the people radiated in oneness to Heaven and Heaven fell upon the people.  Then the music came up in a theatrical response of power; but it was a human power and the pastor interceded and stopped the music; directing the people to true humility in Christ, to find a place to pray and truly connect with our hearts and not with music and the people emptied themselves.

Human nature craves the spot light.  We are impressed with the pomp and glory of man.  Recently, the whole world stood still when because a young man and woman got married.  Yes, he is the second heir to the throne of England.  But God has called us to be first heirs of His Kingdom; first fruits of Christ’s glory with Him on His throne.

James 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.”

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne”

God has extended to us an invitation to rule and reign with Him for all eternity, not in a corrupt and limited kingdom of man that has death as its end; but eternal glory!  Christ, Himself, tells us not to chase after the folly of human material wealth!

Matthew 6:19 & 20 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” 20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”

We can build a church and it can become a very impressive and glorious organization; but is it the real and true living organism of Christ?  There is no end to Christian organizations; but are we allowing Christ to build His church in and through us?  Is God building His house through us?  The Psalmist warns us:

Psalms 127:1 “…Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.”

Matthew 16:18 Jesus said: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Having been on the project management team in 1986; of a 20 million dollar Physical Education Complex, for Northeastern Illinois University; this is said with first hand experience; there must be a very special relationship been that architect (Christ) and the contractor/builder (the people).  The architect breathes his vision through the builder and it becomes manifest.   Christ must breathed His vision through us if the church is to be built by the Master, Jesus Christ.  It is all about our relationship with Him!

We can make great music, write awesome books and preach powerful messages, but if it is not God breathed, then it is in vain.  It all begins at the altar of Christ’s throne, where we must empty ourselves in brokenness so that the God of the Universe can build His glory in us and create that which is eternal in our mortal flesh!