"I Will Build My Church"

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shalt be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:18-19

To twelve men with little know-how of building and probably even less money, Jesus says, "I will build My church." He owned no home, not even a place to rest His head, yet He declared, "I will build My church."

Anyone who has a part in building a church realizes that much effort, planning, and financing is required to build even the modest of buildings. But our Lord is not speaking of a structure made of materials here. He will build a church not made with hands or earthly materials, but one made of living stones ~ men, women, and children! He will erect a structure for all eternity.
Jesus is speaking here of His Holy Temple ~ the church of the living God.

The erection of this building was costly. Christ first had to suffer and die for us before we could be a part of that temple. We were purchased with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. By the power of the Holy Spirit we have been brought to faith.

Through many centuries, Christ has been building His church through the Word and Baptism. And when eternity dawns, the church, made up of all believers, of all times, will stand complete and resplendent in His glory.

We cannot decide to open or close the Kingdom of Heaven for others, but God uses us to help others find the way inside. For all who believe in Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation for this sinful world, and those who obey His Word, the Kingdom doors are swung wide open!

May the Lord bless you as you lend a hand in building
His church. Be a builder for Christ ~ every day!