From the desk of Pastor Ben
The Invincibility of the Church
“And the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”     (Matthew 16:18b)

With this memorable phrase Jesus clearly declares His church’s invincibility: not even the power of death (“Hades”) can by its “gates” hold God’s redeemed people captive. The formidable doors at the entrance of death are not nearly strong enough to keep God’s church imprisoned. Her Lord and Savior has conquered sin and death on her behalf (Romans 8:2). “Because I live, you will live also,” Christ promised the disciples (John 14:19). Our Lord’s ultimate victory over Satan is so certain that the book of Hebrews speaks of it in the past tense: “Therefore, since the children [believers]  share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14; Acts 2:24; Revelation 1:18).
The apostle Paul upheld the same truth for the Corinthian believers who wavered in their belief in the resurrection:
“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.                         (1Corinthians 15:54c-57)
In view of what Jesus was about to teach the apostles regarding His own death and resurrection and their willingness for self-denial (Matthew 16:21-24), He assures all who would ever believe — the church — that the dreaded shackles of death could never permanently capture them and hold them captive.

Ask Yourself:
How does it change your view of the day ahead to know that nothing — not even death or hell itself — can thwart god’s plans for your life and the lives of His people? How could you exercise this freedom and confidence in practical, specific ways? What fears could it erase?