The Victorious Church of Jesus Christ

We’re not quite in November yet, but already I’m a thankful puppy. I wish everyone could know how wonderful it is to be part of a loving, caring, giving, growing, fun-loving, fellowshipping, serving, discipling, witnessing, encouraging, praying, worshipping, singing and praising church of Jesus Christ!

I’m telling you, the church is where it’s at! If you’re not actively involved in a local church that preaches and teaches the Word of God, stays in step with the Holy Spirit, exalts the name of Christ Jesus and glorifies God the Father, then you’re missing out on God’s plan for your good and for His glory.

You’re missing out on the way God works to reveal Himself in this world. You’re missing out on being a partner in the greatest enterprise this world has ever seen. You’re missing out on an international movement of people from every race, every color, every tribe and every language bound together in the love of Christ and the unity of His Spirit with a common mission to proclaim the praises of the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light!

Every institution, every government, every organization, every social club and every cause will one day fail or fade away. But the church of God will stand forever, my friend. There is no force, no power, no authority, no ruler, no king, no throne, no nothing that will ever be able to stop the advance of the church of Jesus Christ. Even “the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Mt. 16:18).

Listen, I’ve read the back of the Book. Jesus Christ has triumphed! The church wins! Our Savior has secured the victory by His resurrection from the grave. He’s conquered the last enemy – death, and has destroyed him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil. And “He has set free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:15).

One day, and I believe soon, Christ Jesus will return and receive those who trust in Him and take them to be with Him forever and ever. There they will dwell in the Father’s house, in the very rooms, or “mansions,” that Jesus has prepared for them. In that day the perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, and then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:54-57).

I thank God for this victory, for the new birth, and for the living hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and for the assurance of the inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled and unfading – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice…” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

And I’m thankful for the First Baptist Church in Ridgway who’s living in this victory. I’m thankful for the many ways they’ve shown appreciation to their pastor during the month of October. Stop by sometime and I'll tell you about the many ways in which they’ve blessed my family and I in abundance. Or, if you’re on FaceBook, look me up and you can see pictures of some of the gifts they’ve sent to encourage me.

If you don’t have a church family you’re involved in, then I urge you to join us in worship this Sunday. And if you don’t have a saving relationship with Christ Jesus then I especially urge you to confess your sin before the Lord, turn away from it, and put your faith in the One who gave His life on the cross of Calvary and triumphed over the grave on the third day! Let Him take over, go where He leads, partner under His power together with other believers in the church, and watch as He brings the victory!