Hey Outpost!
So, the year is well underway, and many of you have been coming to our Thursday meetings and small groups! We’re so grateful to have so many new friends!
So, I was reading some G. Campbell Morgan. In his book, Peter and the Church, he talks about the role of the church. Do you remember when Jesus is talking to Peter, in Matthew 16:18, and Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of [hell] will not overcome it.” (NIV). I often wondered what this meant. When you read this, your mind automatically goes to thoughts of a defensive, fortified church, with the armies of hell coming against the church, but not prevailing. This puts the church in the defensive and hell in the offensive. however, Morgan makes an awesome point. He asks, “What attacking army carries its gates with them?” What he’s saying is that Jesus is saying that the church is on the offensive. “The gates of hell will not overcome it.” It doesn’t talk about the church’s gates, but hell’s gates. The advancement of the church should be so strong, that the gates of hell will not prevail.
We often talk about the Kingdom of God advancing, and I think Jesus was talking about it. We are an army, marching shoulder to shoulder, brothers and sisters, together. May we always march on the enemy’s territory and take back what rightfully belongs to God; the souls of every person we meet! May the Lamb receive the reward of His suffering.
Duncan
