In a day when the Gospel is attacked on every side, we, who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, need to get off the defensive, and begin to attack the gates of hell, since when we do, these gates will not be able to defend our onslaught. We can bemoan the demise of Biblical Christianity and certainly there will be some of that, but moaning and groaning does nothing to advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! We MUST begin and continue a frontal assault on the very gates of hell themselves. “Where are these gates we are to attack,” one might ask? Well, there are certainly gates that guard the perimeter of hell, but I wonder if those are the gates to which Christ is referring in Matthew 16:18? For lack of a perfect way to explain the point I want to make, it would seem there are hellish gates in the lives and hearts of individuals. One who does not know Christ is lost and undone, their attitudes could be seen as “gates of hell.” These gates guard against the entrance of the truth of the Gospel. One gate could be the “I’m not a bad person,” gate. This is when an individual doesn’t see the need to accept Christ because he really is a decent guy! We must attack this gate as we should attack any other gate of hell, with the Word of God! People must be told, “There is no one righteous! No, not one! All our righteous doings are as filthy rags!” We must make it clear that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God!” No matter how moral a person is, their righteousness, or “Goodness” can never measure up to God’s Standards! As long as the “I’m not a bad person” gate remains closed and locked, that individual will never turn from their sin and accept Christ! Another gate could be called, “A Good God would never send anyone to hell, gate.” We must share as does Romans 2:4, “Do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” People must understand hell was prepared for “the devil and his angels.” God has done everything to draw all men unto Himself. If we go to hell, it is our personal choice. We must share the love of Christ and plead with God’s Spirit to unlock that horrible gate! Then there could be the “Christians are hypocrites” gate. This is a tough one because Christians can be hypocritical! But Jesus has said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Share with them that God looks at the hearts of individuals, and sees what an individual does with Jesus! Hypocritical Christians will answer to God for their sin and their hypocrisy! Let us live in such a way that the gate of “Christians are hypocrites” will not be kept shut as we try to share the Gospel of our Lord! The deal is, it is up to us to attack the gates of hell! We can only successfully do so by seeking the power of the Spirit as we witness and live out our salvation every day! Soldiers of Christ, arise! Put on the armor and head into battle for what is at stake is the very souls of men! Some events coming up we want to be aware of and make plans for. Lord’s Super will be Sunday, July 25. Campers will leave for Awanita, Thursday, August 5 and return Sunday, August 8. School starts back Tuesday, August 16. AWANA begins Wednesday September 8 with new Commanders Matthew and Anna Huff. Pray for them as they enter this new venture. Homecoming and Revival services are Sunday, October 10 with Homecoming and dinner on the ground. Revival services continue through the 13th. Our evangelist will be brother Frank Walker from Chesnee. We’re scheduling a trip to Amish Country, Gettysburg, the Sight and Sound Theatre, and an excursion through the fall leaves of Pennsylvania, October 18 – 22. More details will be forthcoming. Our annual Fall Festival will be Saturday, October 30, from 5:00 to 7:00. A lot is going on, with many more days of emphasis we will be mentioning! Please pray for each event as we look forward to God working through us to bring the Gospel to the world around us. GO with us as we attack the very gates of hell!
- pastorjimduncan