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Destined
for Greatness
When
it was built for an international exposition in the
19th century, the structure was called “monstrous”
by the citizens of the city, who demanded it be torn
down as soon as the exposition was over. Yet from the
moment its architect first conceived it, he took pride
in it and loyally defended it from those who wished to
destroy it. He knew it was destined for greatness.
Today it is one of the architectural wonders of the
modern world and stands as the primary landmark of
Paris
,
France
. The architect, of course, was Alexandre Gustave
Eiffel. His famous tower – the
Eiffel
Tower
– was built in 1889.
In
the same way we are struck by Jesus’ loyalty to
another structure — the church…
He
established it - When asked the identity of Jesus,
Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
Living God” (Matthew 16:16).
Jesus said in response, "And I also say to
you that you are Peter, and on this rock [i.e., the
fact that Jesus is the Son of God] I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it” (Matthew 16:18).
He
purchased it - The Apostle Paul exhorted the
elders of the church at Ephesus saying,
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the
flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to shepherd the
church
of
God
which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).
He gave
Himself for it -
Paul also gave instruction to husbands with
Christ as their model: “Husbands, love your wives,
just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself
for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
Jesus
entrusted the formation of His church to an unlikely
band of disciples, whom He defended, prayed for, and
prepared to spread the gospel. To outsiders, they (and
we) must seem like incapable blunderers. But Jesus,
the Architect of the church, knew this structure was
(and IS) destined for greatness!
Jesus’
church is not made of iron, brick, or wood...
It is composed of the SAVED – those
who submit their lives to the King (Ephesians 5:23).
He adds those who obey Him to the CHURCH (Acts
2:41, 47), the "Family of God"
(1 Timothy 3:15).
He
will save and add to His church those who: believe
in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repent
of sin (Acts 17:30-31), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins
(Acts 2:38). And
one day, Jesus will take those who remain
faithful to Him to a heavenly home (1
Corinthians 15:24).
Have
YOU obeyed Jesus?
Are you a part of His church that has been
destined for greatness?
God bless you!
David
A. Sargent, Minister
Church of Christ at Creekwood
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
* John Berstecher
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