Sunday Service
22nd September, 2024
Speaker: Engr. Mbimda Ali Mbishida
Text: Matthew 16:13-18
Topic: The Church and Holy Living
Introduction:
Before I got married, I went through marriage counseling, where I learned that the primary purpose of marriage is companionship. From creation until now, God has always intended for humans not to be alone. He created a system for people to dwell in, and that system is the Church. Just as marriage is meant to provide companionship, the Church is designed to keep us in fellowship with God and with other believers.
In the passage from Matthew 16:13-18, Jesus reveals that His Church (meaning "assembly" or "gathering" from the Greek translation of "Ekklesia") will be built on the understanding of Him as the Messiah and the Son of God. The Church serves as the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:10; 4:15), the people of God (2 Corinthians 6:16), and the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7; 21:9). It has many purposes, including worship, fellowship, discipline, prayer, teaching, and evangelism.
The Challenge of Holy Living:
However, the very Church that Christ promised would stand strong against the gates of Hades has, in many ways, allowed unholy practices to creep in. The "gates of Hades" represent the devil and the forces of evil, which manifest in unholy lifestyles that lead people toward destruction.
In today's Church, we see this happening through heresies, tribalism, and the refusal to turn away from sin, despite numerous teachings and warnings from the pulpit. These behaviors give the devil a foothold, allowing him to attack the Church from within.
We must be cautious. The Church must not tolerate sin, or it risks losing the presence of Jesus, as promised in Matthew 18:20. The story of Achan’s sin serves as a warning of how one person's wrongdoing can bring consequences upon an entire community (Joshua 7).
The Assurance of Victory:
Despite these challenges, we are reassured that the gates of Hades will not prevail against the true Church. But this assurance is for the Church that is built on the revelation of Christ as the Messiah and the Son of God—not for a church that denies Christ by continuing in sin.
In conclusion, the Church must hold fast to its holy calling. It is only by living in holiness that we can truly stand against the gates of Hades and live in the assurance of Christ’s promise.
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