Called Out.

Called Out.
By Pastor Mark White

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

When responding to Peter’s confession that “you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”, Jesus said “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18-19)

By saying that, Jesus was saying that the church is here to stay.  Against all odds, it will prevail.
The word church comes from the Greek word Ekklesia which originated from two other words that when put together means “Called out from.”  But what is the church called out from?
The church is called out from the ways of this world.  The Spirit of God in us is counter to this culture. And not only are we called out, but we’re also called together - called to God and to each other.  Jesus said in Matthew, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 So, it isn’t a building that is a church, but it is the people of God that gather there.

If we as “called out ones” are growing in the grace of God, glorifying Him, and building each other up in the faith, then we’ll want to share this hope of salvation with others by inviting them into this counter-cultural community through Christ-loving actions and words.  Only then will we see the prevailing result of Jesus’ words to us to go out into our world as bright lights in a dark place and as Salt to have a preserving effect in our generation.