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. (Matthew 16:18)
What a powerful promise! Another promise given is found in the Lord's final word given prior to His ascension into heaven. It is part of what we refer to as the Great Commission. As we go…He will be with us!
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
But where are the local congregations we read of in the New Testament? At some point in their history, they ceased to exist. In the case of the church at Sardis, it 'died' before it ceased to exist. It had the appearance of life outwardly, but was actually dead.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)
What happened? Did the gates of hell prevail? No, I don't think so.
We need to understand that we have an enemy. The Word of God warns us of his subtle attacks. Can he and the powers of hell overcome the local church? No, but he often works from within to destroy.
I. Incorrect Teaching - Distorts Our Witness
A. Satan has used this tactic to threaten many churches...
1. Both Paul and Peter warned of the danger of error.
(Acts 20:29-30) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
(2 Pet 2:1-2) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
2. Clearly false doctrine is intended to draw people away from the truth.
3. Jesus declared that the Truth would set us free, but false doctrine keeps people enslaved to sin.
B. How can we guard against such error?
1. We must not turn away from sound doctrine.
(2 Tim 4:1-2) "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; {2} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
(2 Tim 4:3-4) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
2. We must beware of preaching that departs from the Truth of God's Word and embraces the ideas of man.
3. We must not support those who teach contrary to the doctrine of Christ.
4. They are NOT of God.
(2 John 1:9-10) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. {10} If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:"
II. Inward Strife - Hinders Our Witness
A. Note an O.T. example.
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. (Genesis 13:8)
1. The conflict
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. (Genesis 13:6-7)
2. The need for resolution.
a. Practically - the land couldn't sustain all of the cattle.
b. The result was strife between the herdsmen.
c. Abram didn't want it to create strife between him and his nephew.
3. The solution to the problem - humility
a. Note that Abram didn't assert his rights.
b. After all, he was the one called by God.
c. He was the older one.
d. In verse 2 the Scripture tells us it was Abram who was 'very rich'…but Lot had plenty as well.
e. Rather than demand his rights, Abram took the initiative to speak with Lot.
f. He deferred to Lot…
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. (Genesis 13:9)
B. The N.T. principle of humility
1. Modeled for us by Jesus.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5)
He humbled himself…
2. If we are to be 'like Jesus' we must be clothed with humility.
"… Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility…" (1 Peter 5:5b)
3. Willing to take upon us the role of a servant
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
4. The world says we must stand up for ourselves, but God's Word tells us to humble ourselves.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6)
III. Indifference - Removes Our Witness
A. This is the ultimate goal of our enemy.
1. Satan cannot have a believer's soul, but he can rob us of our witness.
2. The church at Ephesus left its first love, and the church at Laodicea, made the Lord sick!
3. The sad truth is that although the gates of hell will not prevail against the church; a church can be rendered useless by the sin of indifference!
B. Symptoms of indifference...
1. Lack of attendance…
2. Lack of participation…
3. Lack of faithfulness…
4. Lack of Prayer and Bible study…
C. Fervent service is the only antidote to indifference.
1. We must replace our indifference with involvement.
(Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
2. It's never too late to change!
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works…" (Rev 2:5a)
Our desire is to see folks come to faith in Jesus Christ. Not only is that our desire, it is the stated purpose for why we exist as a local assembly. We have the promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail and the promise of Jesus' presence as we go into all the world. But we must guard our witness. We must keep the message clear. God loves this world so much, that He willingly gave His only begotten Son, Jesus to die on Calvary and pay the debt of sin for all who will come by faith and receive the wonderful gift of salvation! We mustn't allow inward strife or indifference to hinder and remove that witness. It is too important! It is an eternal matter of life and death! If you have never received this witness…you have never embraced the cross of Jesus Christ and placed your faith in His finished work for your salvation, the invitation is for you to come today and be born again! Christian, has God spoken to our hearts this morning? If so, I invite you to come and recommit yourselves to the witness of this local church. Come now whatever the need.