Saturday, September 1, 2018
To God Be Glory in the ChurchTo me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. … Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:8-10, 20-21 (ESV)
Of all the areas of society that we have fasted and prayed for these 21 days, the Church is the one that seems the weakest. In the world’s eyes, the church has the smallest influence on national affairs and holds the least amount of sway over the direction of our country. But that’s not so in God’s eyes.
God is unveiling an eternal, global plan with His Christ and the Church at the center. The Church will have a far greater impact on the world than merely affecting the culture of nations. Jesus is building the Church to confound the spiritual, invisible powers of evil behind our world’s systems.
Only the Church can deal a deadly blow to humanity’s greatest enemies. Satan and sin have successfully thwarted God’s plan for human flourishing and for eternal life with God for thousands of years. Since the entrance of sin into the world, our relationships with God and with one another have been broken. But through Christ and in the Church, these two systemic human divisions are being healed.
Now, in Christ, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). The Church is the only entity where there can be true peace and unity among humankind. People from all backgrounds, nations, tribes, and languages abide together in unity, love, and peace. God has thoroughly reversed the hateful plans of the devil through the Church of His Son.
May the Church in America fulfill its God-ordained purpose. May the Church lead the way to reconciliation with God and with one another. May the Church be the source of healing for individuals, families, and communities. May the Church refuse to allow division and backbiting within its ranks. May we protect the bond of peace that Jesus purchased for us.
Our Father in Heaven, let Your design for Your Church be realized here in America. Let Your zeal consume us and Your compassion move us to preach the Gospel and love others in Jesus’ name. Renew Your Church. Let the Church be a center of healing for hurting souls. Let the Church reconcile families, gangs, churches, communities, and even our nation. Put the enemy to flight and glorify Your Son in Your Church. In Jesus’ name we ask, Amen.
Dr. Chuck Hetzler
Senior Associate, Christian Union Day and Night
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Selected Resources to Explore for a Cultural Revolution in The Church
AUDIO (56:56): Seeking God
Drawing near to God takes effort, and the Church is stronger when it intentionally seeks God. In this seminar from the Christian Union Nexus Conference 2016, Matt Bennett, Founder and CEO of Christian Union, lays out the need to proactively seek God and ways to do this. Nexus is an annual conference that equips students and professionals to seek God and to live out their faith and change culture.
AUDIO (1:27:58): The History of Revival
Dr. Garth Rosell spoke at the Christian Union Conference, 2014, about America’s historical legacy of spiritual awakenings. Dr. Garth M. Rosell is professor of Church History at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
BOOK (220 pages): The Wake-Up Call by John Mulinde
Many of us desire to break through the darkness - to see revival and an awakening of God in our nation - but we can't even break through the system that is holding us captive. This makes it vital for us to surrender ourselves fully to God, to be set apart for him, and to allow him to work in us so that we can rise up and be carriers of revival in our nations. This is the wake-up call that is going all across the earth in this day and time.
