How did God build the church in Philippi?
With 1) a business woman (Lydia),
2) a demon possessed slave girl, and
3) a pagan city employee who worked in the local jail.
- Lydia: The Lord opened her heart to give heed to the word (Acts.16:14).
- The demon possessed slave girl: “‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour” (Acts.16:18).
- The jailer: At midnight Paul and Silas were singing in their cell to God, and God blew the doors off the cells with an earthquake—and off the heart of the jailer.
Paul was Jesus’ instrument. Jesus built his church in Philippi, and he will build it in every city, town in India.
My friend, how are you building the Lord’s church?
“My”
“I will build my church.” God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph.1:4). And not only us, but millions more scattered throughout the earth (Jn.11:52). And he has many people in this city (Acts.18:10). He bought them by His own blood (Acts.20:28). And he will make them a kingdom and priests to his God. And they shall reign on the earth (Rev.5:9). They will be his church. They are not their own. They are bought with a price (1 Cor.6:19-20). They are His. He will gather them and build his church.
So, you are not your own. You are a leader in God’s construction of Church. Do not fear, do not back off, but involve in this noble task to be a partner in building God’s church.
“Church”
I will build my church.” It is a thrilling thing that we have come together to understand God’s special revelation : “I will build my Church.” to me that what we are going through is a church in the making. Not just a ministry. But a church: Church being built by the Son of the living God out of hell-bent lives.
Mark this well: Jesus does not promise that He will build His school, or that He will build His co-op, or build His medical clinic, or build His university, or build His social service agency, as good as those are. He promises with absolute authority: I will build my church.
Stand on this. And the gates of hell will not prevail against you.
CT Studd, the famous English cricketer who went as a Missionary to India, Africa and China said: “Some wish to live within the sound of Church or Chapel bell; I want to run a Rescue Shop within a yard of hell” – C. T. Studd.
The uniqueness of the church:
The church is the master piece and the Centre-piece of the Kingdom of God.
- The kingdom of God is much larger than the church, because it includes more than the church – the whole universe, all the angelic hosts, and all the Old Testament saints.
- However, the New Testament church is the CENTERPIECE of God’s Kingdom and its most important part of it.
- If you live between the Day of Pentecost and the Rapture, YOU MUST BE IN THE CHURCH TO BE SAVED! Jesus said the prophets and even the angels – would love to participate in the things happening in our age.