“…I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”   Matthew 16:18

It is easy to miss what Jesus was talking about here, especially if you are in the ministry vocation.  No judgment, just an admission that we can get off track doing good for Jesus.

It’s not so much about our doing as it is what He is doing.  Jesus said, “…whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.”  John 5:19

When Jesus said these words to Peter, He was not talking about the church down the street or a building or even a local gathering of believers.  He was talking about His work of reaching into the world and pulling out rough hewn stones that He would fashion and fit to His use in building a Holy Temple unto the Father that He Himself would dwell in.  A dwelling place of His Spirit and presence, “who is at work in you, both to will and work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

Just a few things:

1. It’s His Church.

2. He’s building it.

3. It’s still a work in progress.

4. I can do nothing alone.

5. I must see what He’s doing in order to be doing anything.

6. It must be Him in me doing it.

7. Operating out of intimacy brings Him pleasure.

8. Operating any other way will kill you.

These are just a few things, you can probably think of others.  If so, leave them in a comment.