Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)

Number Five: and all the powers of hell WILL NOT CONQUER IT

If we are to be a part of JESUS’ UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH then we must come to grips with this paradox: Ministry is both grueling and great; it is both risky and rewarding. In fact, one of my mentors (I only met him a few times in person, but I love to follow his ministry online) Ed Young Jr (www.edyoungblog.com) says that MINISTRY IS BRUTAFUL. There is a BRUTAL side to ministry, and there is a BEAUTIFUL side to ministry. Ministry is BRUTAFUL. If you are in ministry in any capacity and you are looking to be a part of the UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH OF JESUS, THEN EXPECT THE PATH TO BE BRUTAFUL. You will be beat up, you will be attacked, you will be worn out, you will get tired; but be of good cheer – greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! What an honor to be BRUTIFIED BY JESUS, TO BE BEAT UP FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST! It is only as the church engages the brutal side of ministry that she can become the beautiful bride she is meant to be! Consider it an honor to absorb the brutal blows of ministry, knowing full well that your reward in heaven will be far greater than any pain or suffering here on earth!

What brutal side of ministry are you facing right now? Have you talked with your ministry coach or pastor about this? What beautiful side of ministry can you be thanking Jesus for right now (do that and then share it with someone else who is feeling the brutal side)?

Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)

Number Four: And all the powers of hell WILL NOT CONQUER IT
The Church of Jesus is unstoppable. I didn’t think of that or make that up, Jesus did! When the church lifts up Jesus, Jesus builds the church, and when Jesus builds the church – THE CHURCH IS UNSTOPPABLE. It kills me that so many “well-intentioned” Jesus-learners are missing out on the beauty and power of the church, the Body of Christ. I would rather be run over by Jesus than get in the way of what Jesus wants to do in this church and this world!

Many well-meaning Christ-followers are living defeated “Christian” lives because they are not running with the church. We are to follow Jesus (not the church); but we are to follow Jesus “with the church”! Come on now, Jesus shed His blood for the church, and we are whining about attending worship gatherings every Sunday, and possibly serving people in uncomfortable ways!

Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Mat 16:18 NLT)

Number Three: I [JESUS] will build my Church
Jesus wants to build His Church more than I do. Jesus wants to build His church more than any pastor, preacher, spiritual leader, and Christ-follower that has ever walked the face of the earth. And there have been some amazingly passionate church leaders, but none of them love the church more than Jesus, none of them have sacrificed more than Jesus, and none of them have given as much for the church as Jesus.

Sometimes I get down (boo-hoo) on myself for slower growth or even “reverse growth” (that is when people leave the church:) – and I think man, “What do I HAVE TO DO for this church to grow more?” But the answer is never about what I HAVE TO DO; the answer is in what JESUS HAS ALREADY DONE. Jesus has already laid the foundation for the church, we just need to build on top of that. JESUS HAD ALREADY DIED FOR THE CHURCH; He has already shared His dream for the church (to be an unstoppable force of love and oneness); and He has already given the direction of the church (to reach the entire world with the message of salvation).

So, if Jesus wants to build the church more than we do, then a lack of growth in any church is never Jesus’ fault or Jesus desire (unless that church is so totally screwed up, Jesus may want to shut it down). So, the question we should ask is NOT, “What do I HAVE TO DO TO GROW THE CHURCH?” but rather, “WHAT HAS JESUS ALREADY DONE TO BUILD HIS CHURCH?” And am I willing to do the same, AM I WILLING TO DIE TO SELF FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHURCH? Am I ready to follow the dream Jesus has for the church (to be an unstoppable force of love)? Am I ready to embrace the direction that Jesus has already given to the church (to reach the whole world)?

Seriously, what do you have to die to in order to let the dream of Jesus come alive within you? Are you in the way of Jesus clear vision to reach this world through the local church? Are you helping to push the vision forward or are you content to simply let it pass you by while everyone else does the work? Jesus asked us to die to self in order to promote the gospel, in order to build His Church, nothing else matters!