Stronger Than Hell

Big Idea: The Church of Jesus Christ is stronger than all the forces of Hell.

The emperor Diocletian set up a stone pillar on which was inscribed these words: For Having Exterminated the Name Christian from the Earth. If he could see that monument today, how embarrassed he would be! Another Roman leader had a coffin made, symbolizing his intention to “bury the Galilean” by killing his followers. He soon learned that he could not “put the Master in it.” He finally surrendered his heart to the Savior, realizing that the corporate body of Chris and its living head, Jesus Christ, cannot be destroyed by the onslaught of mortals.

Point 30 of the National Reich Church’s 30 point program, drawn up during the Second World War, read: On the day of its foundation, the Christian cross must be removed from all churches, cathedrals and chapels ... It must be superseded by the only unconquerable symbol, the swastika.” History is the commentary of Hitler’s diabolical dreams and on the futility of all who would seek to destroy the church of Jesus Christ.

The Waldensians have represented the history of the church through a poignant illustration of an anvil with many worn-out hammers lying around it. Beneath the picture is the caption “One Anvil, Many Hammers.” Organized religion may fail, but the living organism composed of all born again believers will stand forever. God is calling out of the world, a people for his name who will stand with him throughout eternity.

The Church of Jesus Christ is stronger than all the forces of hell.

A. The Church of Jesus Christ is called out for a mission. (18)

Greek word for the church (ekklesia) means called out.
Order of the arrow (Boy Scout) tap out ceremony.
We leave the safety of the familiar (missionaries)
The church is a mission force. We proclaim the reign of Christ.
When Peter proclaimed that Jesus was Messiah and Jesus received the title, the work of God took a decided turn. To call Jesus Messiah is to recognize his position as head of the body.
We cannot proclaim Jesus’ reign if he is not our anointed (King, Lord)

B. The Church of Jesus Christ is designed to be on the offensive. (18)

The church is to be built in enemy territory.
The gates of hell are to be stormed by the church.
Jesus states that he will build his church. Image is a building, but in reality the church is a movement.
The church is moving to the Gates of Hell. (The Gates of Hell shall not prevail) The picture here is that of a military movement to take territory by storming the gates.

IN 1989, investigative reporter Jack Anderson discussed how Christianity has survived persecution in the USSR. He wrote, “Reports seeping out of Russia indicate that the Christian ‘problem’ has become serious enough to warrant a concerted crackdown by the authorities, The amazing thing about the Kremlin’s crackdown is the evidence it gives that Christianity still survives after more than 60 years of official repression. The regime’s fury is a tribute to the courage and devotion of Christians determined to practice their faith in defiance of the overwhelming power of the hostile rulers. It is a story unmatched since the days of the Roman Empire.” In 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, Communism was weakened and we know the rest of the history. The church was instrumental in this piece of history. The church is stronger than hell.

Many of our nation’s youth have given up hope. I have some friends from LA that told me of a yearbook published by a High School in that city that dedicated two full pages to those who died before graduation. Drugs, gang violence and suicide snuffed out their lives. Many grade school children in NYC don’t think about what they will be when they grow up because they don’t expect to grow up. It is past time to go on the offensive and storm the gates of hell.

C. The Church of Jesus Christ is an accountable steward. (19)

We have been given keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. (Keys mean responsibility.)
Binding and loosing
This passage speaks of two realms - heaven and earth. These are physical realms AND spiritual realms.
We live in the physical realm (earth), natural, what we can see.
But the spiritual realm (heaven) is just as real, supernatural.
There are two ways to bind and loose: prayer and action

Prayer (note Matt 18:18-19) A prayer gathering can be the vehicle to restoration. A prayer gathering can bind the hands of evil.
Action - storming the gates of hell. Get involved in ministry - Habitat for Humanity, Food Pantry, Divorce Recovery, Grief Recovery, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Prisons, Ministry of encouragement (marriages, singles). Become a visionary of hope.

You have heard stories about the illogical couple. The sharpest girl in the class falls for the guy everybody else sees as a first class dud. Her friends say, “I can’t see what she sees in him.” And they are right! They cannot see it because they will not look through her eyes, the eyes of love. Some say love is blind, But God is a lover whose eyes are always wide open. The love of God is not blind. It is visionary.

Let’s look at the world the way God does. Some say the world is lost and worthless. It is only bound for hell. God says no, it doesn’t need to be. I have given you a mission. You hold the keys.

Proclaim the name of Jesus as the anointed victor.
Take the offensive and reclaim the territory hell has overtaken.
Use prayer and vision.

Because God’s loving church is stronger than hell.