40 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
40 lines
4.5 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script><div class="head">
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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July 13
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<h1>More on the Lord Promising to Build His Church</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>"<b>I will build My church</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 16, '18-18');">Matthew 16:18</a>)</div>
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<p>This promise has monumental implications for every follower of Jesus Christ. <i>"<b>I will build My church</b>."</i> Each of the <b>five</b> words in this brief declaration reveals an essential truth of Christian life and service.</p>
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<p>First, this promise discloses <b>who</b> will build the church. <i>"<b>I</b></i> [<b>Jesus</b>]<i>will build My church."</i> Jesus is the builder of the church, not man. He wants to use us in the process, but He is the builder. Paul understood this arrangement. <i>"According to the <b>grace</b> of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the <b>foundation</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr', 3, '10-10');">1 Corinthians 3:10</a>). By the grace of God, Paul served the Lord. As he went about proclaiming Christ, the Lord was using him to lay the foundation (Christ) in lives that were being saved and individual churches that were being started.</p>
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<p>Second, Jesus' promise reveals the <b>certainty</b> of His church being built. <i>"I <b>will</b></i> [<b>assuredly</b>] <i>build My church."</i> There is no room for doubt. Jesus will do what He is promising. The only question for us is whether or not we will be available as a part of this wondrous process. The Lord wants to make us usable for His work: <i>"sanctified and <b>useful</b> for the Master, <b>prepared</b> for every good work"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ti', 2, '21-21');">2 Timothy 2:21</a>).</p>
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<p>Third, this promise indicates the <b>manner</b> in which the Lord wants to work. <i>"I will <b>build</b></i> [<b>construct</b>] <i>My church."</i> As with any construction project, there are both the quantitative and qualitative aspects. The Lord saves souls, adding them to His church in a quantitative increase. <i>"And the <b>Lord added</b> to the church daily those who were being saved"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 2, '47-47');">Acts 2:47</a>). The Lord also enriches those He saves, bringing to His church qualitative development. <i>"And with <b>great power</b> the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And <b>great grace</b> was upon them all"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 4, '33-33');">Acts 4:33</a>).</p>
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<p>Fourth, His promise settles the issue of <b>ownership</b>. <i>"I will build <b>My</b></i> [<b>Jesus'</b>] <i>church."</i> The church does <b>not</b> belong to the Pastor, the Church Board, or the District Office. It is Jesus' church. He paid the price to redeem us: <i>"the <b>church</b> of God which He <b>purchased</b> with <b>His own blood</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act', 20, '28-28');">Acts 20:28</a>).</p>
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<p>Fifth, this promise specifies exactly <b>what</b> Jesus is going to build. <i>"I will build My <b>church</b></i> [<b>His people</b>]<i>."</i> The church is <b>not</b> a building. This word (church) literally speaks of "a called-out people." <i>"But you are…<b>His</b> own special <b>people</b>, that you may proclaim the praises of Him <b>who called you out</b> of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now <b>the people of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe', 2, '9-10');">1 Peter 2:9-10</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord Jesus, I honor You as the builder of the church. I rest in the certainty of Your task being accomplished, both quantitatively and qualitatively. I see that the church, Your redeemed people, belongs to You. Also, I humbly ask that You equip me and use me as You fulfill this grand promise, Amen.</div>
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