Jesus is Calling: He Still Believes in His Church

When the World Walks Away, Jesus Still Believes in His Church

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0d77EqYMtb3PqP41PbE9T5?si=CKYFwckOTMS4f-Q7IeyfTw

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9VYSJUnWe8

Here's something you might not expect to hear: While everyone seems to love the idea of God these days, the church? Not so much. You've probably noticed it too—spiritual but not religious, believing without belonging, loving Jesus but not His people. And honestly? Some days it's hard to argue with that sentiment. We've all seen the church at its worst. We've all been hurt or disappointed or left wondering if this whole "body of Christ" thing is worth the trouble.

But here's what I need you to hear today: Jesus hasn't given up on His church. Not even close.

The Question That Changes Everything

Picture this moment with me. Jesus and His disciples are in Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by shrines to false gods, standing in the shadow of pagan temples. And right there, in that place saturated with empty religion, Jesus asks the question that still echoes through time: "Who do you say that I am?"

Not "Who do people say I am?" He'd already asked that. This time it's personal. This time it's directed at you and me.

Peter speaks up—impulsive, passionate Peter—and says something that changes everything: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16, CSB). This wasn't just a good answer. This was the answer. Peter was the first to publicly declare what his heart had come to believe: Jesus wasn't just a good teacher or a prophet or a revolutionary. He was God Himself, walking among them.

And Jesus' response? He doesn't correct him. He doesn't dial it back. Instead, He says, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it" (Matthew 16:17-18, CSB).

Jesus Builds His Church with Imperfect People

Now here's where it gets really interesting—and honestly, really encouraging for those of us who feel like we're barely holding it together most days.

Jesus chose Peter. Peter. The guy who would deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. The guy who constantly said the wrong thing at the wrong time. The guy who let his fear override his faith when he started sinking in the water. Jesus looked at this mess of a man and said, "You're the rock I'm going to use to build my church."

Do you see what Jesus is doing here? He's not looking for perfect people. He's looking for people who recognize who He is and are willing to say yes, even with their doubts, even with their failures, even with their past.

That's you. That's me.

Paul explains it beautifully in Ephesians: "So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19-22, CSB).

You're not an outsider looking in. You're not too broken or too late or too ordinary. You're a member of God's household. You're part of the building He's constructing, with Jesus Himself as the cornerstone holding it all together.

The Church Isn't About Popularity—It's About Power

Let's be honest about why the church isn't popular right now. We've earned some of that criticism. We've been judgmental when we should have been gracious. We've been divided when we should have been united. We've been focused on our preferences when we should have been focused on Jesus' purposes.

But here's what we can't forget: Jesus didn't promise that His church would be popular. He promised it would be powerful. "The gates of Hades will not overpower it," He said. Think about that imagery for a moment. Gates don't attack—they defend. Jesus is saying that His church is on the offensive, storming the gates of darkness, and nothing—not death, not hell, not the worst this world can throw at us—will stop it.

This isn't about building a social club that everyone wants to join. This is about being part of a movement that Jesus Himself is leading, a movement that has literally changed the course of history and continues to change lives today.

And get this: Jesus gives His church authority. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19, CSB). When the church functions as Jesus intended—unified, humble, focused on Him—it carries the authority of heaven itself.

Death Is Not the End

Here's perhaps the most powerful truth embedded in this passage: When Jesus talks about "the gates of Hades" not overpowering His church, He's making a stunning promise about death itself.

Death is not the end. It's not even close to the end.

For those of us who belong to Jesus, death is simply a doorway into eternal life with Him. The church isn't just for this life—it's forever. The relationships you're building, the ways you're serving, the faith you're nurturing—all of it matters beyond this moment, beyond this life, into eternity.

That changes everything about how we show up today. You're not just getting through the week or surviving another Sunday. You're part of something that literally cannot die, something that will outlast every kingdom, every empire, every trend, and every criticism.

Why This Matters Right Now

So what does all of this mean for you today, right where you are?

It means that when you feel discouraged about the church—and you will feel discouraged sometimes—remember that Jesus hasn't given up on it. If He still believes in His church, maybe we can too.

It means that your presence matters. Your gifts matter. Your faith, however imperfect, matters. Jesus is still building His church, and He wants to use you as part of the construction.

It means that belonging to a church isn't optional for the serious follower of Jesus. You can't be the body of Christ by yourself. You need the others, and they need you. Even when it's messy. Even when it's hard. Even when you'd rather stay home.

And it means that there's something bigger at stake here than your personal comfort or preferences. This is about eternity. This is about the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. This is about being part of the one thing Jesus promised to build.

Your Action Plan

Let me give you some practical steps to take this week:

Examine your commitment. Take an honest look at your relationship with the local church. Have you been standing on the sidelines, critiquing from a safe distance? Have you been attending without truly belonging? Have you let past hurts keep you from engaging fully? Ask Jesus to show you where you need to step in more fully.

Find your place to serve. Jesus uses people to build His church. What gifts has He given you? What needs do you see? Maybe it's serving in children's ministry, maybe it's greeting newcomers, maybe it's joining a small group or starting one. Don't wait to feel ready—Peter certainly wasn't ready. Just say yes and let Jesus work through you.

Invest in real relationships. The church isn't a building or a program—it's people. Who needs your encouragement this week? Who could you invite over for coffee or a meal? Who needs to know they're not alone? Remember, you're fellow citizens with the saints, members of God's household. Act like it. Reach out. Connect. Be present.

Pray for your church. Instead of criticizing what's wrong, pray for what could be right. Pray for your pastor and church leaders. Pray for unity. Pray for fresh vision and renewed passion for Jesus. Pray that your church would be exactly what Jesus intended it to be in your community.

Remember the eternal perspective. When church feels mundane or frustrating, remind yourself: death is not the end. You're part of something that reaches into eternity. The person sitting next to you on Sunday? You might be worshiping with them forever. That shifts how you treat them, doesn't it?

Here's what I want you to do this week: Make one specific commitment to engage more fully with your church community. Not three commitments. Not someday. One specific step this week.

Maybe you text someone from church you haven't connected with in a while. Maybe you sign up to serve in one area. Maybe you commit to attending more consistently. Maybe you schedule a conversation with a pastor or church leader about how you can get more involved. Maybe you simply show up this Sunday determined to be present, not perfect.

Whatever it is, write it down. Tell someone about it. And then do it.

Because Jesus still believes in His church. He's still building it. And He wants to use you in ways you can't even imagine yet.

The question isn't whether the church is worth it. Jesus already answered that question when He said He would build it and nothing would stop Him. The question is: Will you say yes to being part of what He's building?

Peter said yes, with all his flaws and failures. And Jesus used him to change the world.

He's asking you the same question He asked Peter that day in Caesarea Philippi: "Who do you say that I am?"

Your answer to that question determines everything else.

Blessings,

Donna