The Gates of Hades Will Not Overpower It

The question had been posed: "Who do you say Jesus is?" There were many ways to be politically correct and supportive of Jesus. Peter could have stuck with the things that the people were saying. They had said that Jesus was Elijah or Jeremiah who had returned. They attributed His miracles to a significant work of God. It was hard to give Jesus the title "Christ" for He did not comply with the religious people of the day. He resembled one of the prophets. Their expectation of the Christ was that He might be a great military leader and Jesus certainly wasn't that. People said the next best thing.

However, Peter was not concerned about political correctness. He was not concerned because God had revealed something to him. Jesus is the Christ; the Messiah. It was something that did not fit into most people's logic box. It was something which stepped over the line. Once you called Him the Christ, the Son of the living God, there was no way you could treat Him like a man alone.

Jesus said this was the testimony upon which He would build His church. The fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, must never leave the church. It is the Church's greatest protection. It is the means by which the Lord will build His church. The Church which continues in this testimony will not fail even if the gates of Hades come against it.

It is amazing how many churches have lost their testimonies. They have fought over the color of the carpet, the color of the rooms and the length of the pastors' sermons. They have demanded services from their staffs and pastors which cater to their expectations. They have become filled with bitterness of those who have gossiped and led campaigns against others. And while these churches may exist, they have lost their hearts. They have lost their protection for the gates of Hades are already coming and defeating them. The devil walks down their aisles with impunity even on Sunday mornings.

Would you like to give the devil a great scare? Become one who will proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God in your church on Sunday. Encourage others to say who He is. Let it spread through your church so that everyone returns to this as the foundation of their faith. The gates of Hades cannot overpower a church who holds this testimony so true that it reaches into the community with this message. The gates of Hades cannot overcome it for Jesus, Himself, will be building this church.

"Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This is still not revealed to us by flesh and blood. It still comes from the Father in heaven. 

Say it. The gates of Hades will not overpower it.