Facing Challenges to the Christian Church with the Victory and Authority of Jesus

This past week I attended a church meeting in Portland, OR. Local church leaders discussed how to help congregations in their efforts to do the work, and to share the love, of our Savior, Jesus. Part of the discussion of helping congregations included dealing with problems Christian congregations are facing. Perhaps, compared to the early church, our problems are small. But, compared to recent history in our western culture, where Christ’s church held a place of honor and influence, we face real problems.

In a culture which distrusts organizations and authority, the Christian Church is often considered suspect, even a problem by many today. Traditional Christian views on family, on truth, on authority, on the goodness of God, on grace and forgiveness, are often rejected. Many congregations are growing smaller. Unfortunately, in addition to cultural opposition, the Church often shoots itself in the foot. And, like other groups in our society, the church has a shortage of workers and pastors. We seem to be struggling to recruit people willing to serve unselfishly and sacrificially for the Lord of all.

As we discussed in our meeting the mission of Jesus and the challenges the church faces, the Gospel reading from last Sunday, August 27, spoke loudly. Jesus asked a question of His disciples. Among others, Peter spoke up to answer Jesus. Our Lord then taught them concerning what Peter had answered. Listen to this conversation from Matthew 16. “13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:13-18)

Gates are defensive tools, not offensive. The gates of Hades, hell, Satan and his forces, are intended to defend and to protect the rebellion of the devil against the Lord of the universe. Yet, Jesus says that hell has no defense against the confession of Peter: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

The Christian Church in our time faces serious challenges. Nevertheless, the forces of evil are nothing compared to Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah. The anti-institutional, anti-family values, anti-authoritarian, anti-Christian direction of our culture today are nothing compared to the love, the forgiveness, the salvation and the life which God gives through faith in Jesus. If we trust these words of God’s Son, the Messiah, it is not The Church which is in trouble, but the forces of the devil. In Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for the sin of the world, in His rising from the dead and overcoming the powers of sin and death, He has won the final victory. As Jesus leaves this world, He gives His disciples call to the offensive, the task of spreading the Gospel, “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

But, if you read the preceding verse, verse 18, Jesus shares the reason He gives this command. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” As the One who has overcome the forces of Satan, evil, and death, Jesus has authority in this world, even over the challenges the church faces today. “ . . . the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

The problems and challenges facing the Christian Church today can SEEM overwhelming. But the truth is (and Jesus is THE TRUTH) Jesus has already won the war. In spite of opposition, we can boldly make disciples, baptize, and teach about our Savior. We Christians move forward doing the work of Jesus in the authority and the power of our Lord, “the Christ, the Son of the living God."