The Church and the Gates of Hell

Is church necessary?  Is church really that important?  I felt a bit hurt and offended when a friend of mine asked this question.  I began to wonder if my job as a pastor has any meaning in this world today.  Wondered if everything I have worked towards was all just insignificant.  And I wondered if there was no church, would the world even miss it.  Now, he is not a Christian, but his question is important to answer for all people, Christian or not. 

Honestly, sometimes, church can feel like a social club at times.  And feel like just some kind of “afterschool” program that you just kind of try to fit in your schedule.  We hardly think about how important church, worship, fellowship, and giving really is and how all of this has a place in our lives and the world.

So, I am going to get very mystical in my answer to this question.  Afterall, we just celebrated Halloween, All Hallow Eve, and All Saints Day, whatever day you want to call it, but this day always reminds me of the mysterious world of imagination and also a world of unknowns, and that makes me dive into a rabbit hole and fantasy thing that has significant meaning in the world today. 

Church, why we need it and why it is important is simply found in the Bible, Matthew 16:13-19.  This passage is the time Simon Peter answers Jesus, as the Messiah and the Son of the LIVING God.  And this passage also is the first time we have Jesus bringing the conversation of building churches and the power given to churches.  But there is so much to unpack in this mystical and powerful passage.

Ever wondered why Jesus took the disciples to Caesarea Philippi and asked he disciples “Who to people say the Son of Man is?”  Jesus’ location of asking this question is significant and vital when we see the purpose of the formation of the church.  Caesarea Philippi is a city that was known for all kinds of pagan worships.  The city was build around the bottom of Mount Hermon and there was a dark cave that was called the Gates of Hades.  It was believed that the cave was the gateway to the underworld and the site was dedicated to the god Pan.  Jesus wanted to see if the disciples could understand who Jesus is even in the midst of statues of other gods and the cavern of the gates of hell.

Simon Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question is also something to unpack.  Peter called Jesus the “Son of the LIVING GOD.”  Peter declares and gives testimony that the pagan gods that surround him are dead, or nonexistent, and more importantly, that Jesus stand in conflict and opposite with the Gates of Hell, Hades, and Death. 

Jesus makes the announcement that “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.”  And there it is… why we have church and the importance of church is stand before the gates of hell and be the mystical power and force to never allow the gates of hell overcome the world. 

Prayer, worship, song, stewardship, and fellowship are what we do.  By coming together, people from all different corners of the community we do kingdom building work and be the active work of Christ to never let the gates of hell overcome our world.  We do this by making sure the world sustains life and gives a life and chances to people who are being burdened by powers of evil.  The church stands as the mystical lock to keep those gates of hell closed.  The church is God’s people supporting people in need, people who are living in hell.  We are giving them a chance to live a better life through acting on the ideas of forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. 

And it is the church that sets this rhythm for God’s world.  Jesus ordained the church to be the protector of the world from the gates of hell, and Jesus gives the church the authority to be justice bearers and the voice of mercy for a world that desperately needs it.

I can only imagine when one church dies, the gates of hell are now open.  So, imagine if the world had no more churches.  I imagine the world would be much darker than it already might be.  I encourage people to find a church, support it, and be active in it.  Let us all work together and keep the gates of hell at bay.  

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