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The Church is the most magnificent concept ever created. It has survived persistent abuse, horrifying persecution, and widespread neglect. Yet despite its faults, (primarily due to the sinfulness of its members), it is still God’s chosen instrument of blessing and has been for 2,000 years.
The Church will last for eternity, and because it is God’s instrument for ministry here on Earth, it is truly the greatest force on the face of the Earth.
First of all, the church provides for the largest participation. Most people have no idea how many Christians there are in the world: More than two billion people claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. That’s one third of the world’s population! The Church has about a billion more people than the entire nation of China. The Church is the largest force for good in the world. Nothing else even comes close.
Secondly, the church is everywhere. There are villages that have little else, but they do have a church. You could visit millions of villages around the world that don’t have a school, a hospital, a fire department, or a post office. They don’t have any businesses. But they do have a church. The Church is more widely spread – more widely distributed – than any business franchise in the world.
Third, the Church has been around for 2,000 years and therefore has the longest continuation. It’s not a fly-by-night operation. The Church has a track record that spans centuries: Malicious leaders have tried to destroy it, hostile groups have persecuted it, and skeptics have scoffed at it. Nevertheless, God’s Church is bigger now than ever before in history.
Why? Because it’s the Church that Jesus established, and it is indestructible. The Bible calls the Church an unshakable kingdom. In Matthew 16, Jesus says, “I will build my Church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” All the powers of hell – in other words, no hurricane, no earthquake, no tsunami, no famine, no pandemic, no army will ever conquer the Church established by Jesus Christ.
The Church provides the fastest expansion. Did you know that every day 60,000 new people come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? By the end of today, thousands of new churches will be started throughout the world, and that will happen tomorrow and the next day and the next.
The Church provides the highest motivation. Why do Christian believers do what they do? It’s not to make money, not to make a name for themselves and not for duty to our nation. The Church does it out of love. Jesus stated it as the Great Commandment: “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” We wouldn’t do the hard work required to tackle injustice for money, for fame, or for anything else. It just wouldn’t be worth it; we’d quit before the end.
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The church motivates us to keep at the hard work of ministry because we love God, and our love for God compels us to love other people. It is love that never gives up; it is love that keeps moving forward despite the appearance of impossible odds; and it is love that outlasts any problem.
God authorized the Church to take on injustice. With God’s authorization, the outcome is guaranteed to be successful. When you know that God has authorized you to do something, you don’t worry about failure because God doesn’t sponsor flops. If God says you’re going to do it, it’s going to happen. It is inevitable. In fact, the Bible teaches that God will give us his power to complete the task. This is God’s way – ordinary people, like you & I, empowered by his Spirit.
Lastly, the Church provides for God’s conclusion. Since the church believes the Bible is God’s Word, it already knows the end of history. Jesus said in Matthew 24: “The good news about God’s Kingdom will be preached in all the world to every nation, and then the end will come.” It is inevitable and unavoidable.
Be encouraged today. If you are not a part of a church, join one of the many fine ones in this community. If you currently attend a church, do not underestimate the power you are connected to. Let your light shine!