The Power of the Church ​​

Matthew 16:19
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Many people will often misinterpret Matthew 16:18-19. There are some who think that Peter is the foundation of the church, which is absolutely false. Jesus is talking about Himself when He says, “…and upon this rock I will build my church…” Jesus is the Rock upon which the church is to be built. Ephesians 2:20 makes this clear when it says, “…Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;” Peter didn't die for the church, but it was Jesus Christ who paid for the church with His blood. Acts 20:28 makes this clear when it says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” To think that the church is founded upon anyone else other than Jesus Christ is simply preposterous.

Spirit Abuse

Malachi 2:14
“Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”

One thing that boils a man’s blood is to hear how another man physically abuses his wife. Several years ago, I was able to help a young lady who was being abused by her boyfriend. It took everything inside of me not to lose my cool against this male when I saw the bruises on her arms and eye. As my dad used to tell me, “No real man will hit his wife.” Physical spousal abuse is wrong no matter if the wife or husband do it.

Atmosphere Changers

Zechariah 8:3
“Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.”

Have you ever been in a place where someone’s presence changed the atmosphere? President Wilson told a story about someone whose presence changed the atmosphere of a barber shop. He said that he walked into the barbershop and took the chair next to D.L. Moody. At the time, he did not know it was Moody, but he noticed there was something very different about the man. President Wilson said that the conversation about the LORD changed the atmosphere so much that “It made an impression upon me I have not yet forgotten.”

My Storm Cellar

Nahum 1:7
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

It was April 3, 1974, the day when 148 tornadoes ripped through the South. I don't remember everything clearly about that day and all the tornadoes because of my age.

Generational Perpetuity

Psalm 132:12
“If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.”

We often talk about the importance of the next generation, but if the next generation is so important, the present generation must fulfill their responsibilities. 

Tendencies

Hosea 11:7
“And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.”

Israel had a bad tendency towards backsliding. Their propensity was to serve God, receive His blessings, stray from God, go into captivity, repent, be restored, and start this pattern all over again. This tendency to backslide caused them to miss many of the blessings God had for them, it caused their children to learn the same bad habits, and it also caused their children and grandchildren to suffer God’s judgment. It is sad that Israel never seemed to get away from this tendency.

The Best Education

Hosea 4:1
“Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.”

The importance of improving education is always brought up in every political cycle. When talking to those who are in the ministry, you will often hear how the Bible colleges are lacking in their quality of education. It is as if academia is the key to being successful in life.