02.21.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

One of the things I've been talking about a lot recently is that the church is to be on offense. So often we as Jesus' followers talk about defending our faith and how awful the world is and it's impact on us. We must recover that the church--in following our Lord Jesus--is on offense. Not that we are to be "offensive" because many "supposed" Christians have done that in the past.

Where do I get that the church is on offense? Well it's embedded in the very first presentation that Jesus does about the church. He says this:

I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Matthew 16:18 NLT

The word translated "powers" in this translation is really "gates." Most other translations have that in the the text. So as you think about the massive powers at work in this verse...look at it again.

The Gates of Hell will not conquer the church. That's Jesus' promise. Not only should we gain confidence because of Jesus' promise, but we also notice who is leading the attack. Jesus (and His Church) is leading the way in rescuing people from darkness.

We know that because gates are not aggressive and offensive weapons. They are defensive and protective items in warfare. The picture Jesus paints of the church is as an aggressor and on OFFENSE.

We have been deceived by the great deceiver into thinking we are on retreat. Jesus didn't set things in motion that way! The Church ought to be so dangerous that the evil one is fleeing behind gates. In fact, the only way he can hold them in is to have gates. Jesus and His followers have the keys and are kicking them back to get to the people He loves!

I don't know how that hits you today, but I felt compelled to revisit this vital perspective change for us as followers of Jesus. The One who has all power and authority in heaven and on earth.

Let's follow Him into the battle as the aggressors--on offense!

Press on,
Mike


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