Amelia Church of Christ - Christian Church in Amelia, OH near Cincinnati in Clermont County

Listen to ACC's Vision Update from staff members Melanie Presta, Josh Young, Brian Morrissey, and Thayer Wallace

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asked his disciples an interesting question. He asked them, “Who do you think I am? I know what other people think about me, but what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter was the first one to speak up because Peter was ALWAYS the first one to speak up. He was the loud mouth of the bunch, but he hit this was dead on. He looked at Jesus and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

That’s when Jesus looked at him and said, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, ESV)

Peter had just told Jesus what He thought about Him, so now Jesus returns the favor. He tells Peter that he is a rock and that he would be integral in the building of his church.

But key in on exactly what Jesus said. He said, “I will build MY church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Peter was going to be an integral part of the church, but it wasn’t Peter’s church. The church was bigger than Peter. It’s bigger than one person. It didn’t belong to Peter and it doesn’t belong to any of us.

This is important to remember on a day like today. We’re losing an incredible member of our staff. We absolutely pray nothing but the best for the Prestas. And we are sad to see them go. But at the same time, our church is bigger than Melanie.

We’re also adding a staff member. We couldn’t be more excited about what Thayer is going to bring to our student ministry. But our church is bigger than Thayer.

The church is not about any one person. It’s not about Melanie, or Thayer, or Dave, or Josh, or Brian, or me, or anybody else. It’s about Jesus. Jesus said, “I will build my church.”

And he also said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Nothing can stop the church. The very forces of hell itself can’t stop it. The church is an unstoppable force. It has been around for 2,000 years, and it will be around for 2,000 more if Jesus chooses not to come back in that time.

Our church is part of an unstoppable movement. And that’s why we’ve got to keep our vision clear. We’ve got to keep our eyes on the mission. We’ll experience disappointments. It’s not going to be easy. But our church belongs to Jesus. And He is planting a huge vision in us.

2010 is going to be a turning point for us. We’re on the cusp of even greater things. I love our church now, but I’m not satisfied with where we are now. You shouldn’t be, either. We can’t be satisfied because Jesus isn’t satisfied. He’s calling us to greater things. And He gets to do that because it’s His church. It doesn’t belong to you. It doesn’t belong to me. It’s His church…and He has promised that His church will not only survive…but His church will thrive.

Jesus loves His church. Jesus is building His church. Nothing can stop His church. He has greater things in store for His church.

And that’s why we give you a chance every week to respond to Jesus and become part of His church. Jesus gave His life for His church. His death and resurrection are our source of forgiveness, hope, and life. And if you haven’t accepted that free gift of grace, we invite you to come today.

Or maybe you have given your life to Christ…you’re an immersed believer in Jesus but you haven’t fully committed to our church. This church has greater things in store for us. You need to part of it. If you’ve been on the fence about placing your membership in our church, there’s never been a better time to jump on board. Jump on, because greater things are still to come.

Mike Edmisten

Tags: connecting growing serving, vision, Vision Update 2010,