The Church Search Update

It has been over a year now since I posted about our church situation, and I am happy to report that we have found a church home, at least for now. Just like our previous church, this one also happens to be almost an hour away, but good churches are worth the distance.

Ideally, yes, we would prefer something closer to home, but we are content with where God has put us. Remnant churches, after all, are getting fewer and farther between. This is because the Bible prophesies, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1 Timothy 4:1).

And again, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2Tim 3:12-13).

These verses foretell a time when there will be widespread apostasy, spiritual seduction, moral and religious persecution, and abject global deception.

But have no fear. For Jesus himself promised, “… upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Mt 16:18)

The “rock” Jesus refers to in this verse is not Peter, but the proclamation Peter professed a few verses earlier. “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16)

The rock is Jesus himself, not Peter. Jesus builds His church upon himself. He is the only Rock strong enough to prevail against the gates of hell. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deut 32:4)

“For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God?” (Pss 18:31)

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” (Pss 18:46)

Both Paul and Peter later recognized this truth. “… for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1Cor 10:4)

“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 2:4-5)

Peter wasn’t strong enough to be the rock on which Christ’s church was built. In fact, a few verses after Jesus said that, he had to correct Peter for rebuking the Lord! “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Mt 16:23).

Are you savouring the things of God or those of men? Who is the source of your motivations, words, and actions? Is it God or Satan?

Ultimately, God’s church will prevail.

If you have not repented of your sins and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, there is no time like the present. “… behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2Cor 6:2)

If you have already allowed Christ to transform you into a new creature by receiving the salvation He offered by dying on the cross, then find a good Bible-believing church in your area. It might be difficult, but the rewards are worth it.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”— John 17:17