The Church Built to Advance Not Retreat
Sound is an important factor in setting the frequency of the atmosphere. That is why every institution and every place has a different kind of sound...
March 23, 2025
The Power of Sound in Setting the Atmosphere
Sound is an important factor in setting the frequency of the atmosphere. That is why every institution and every place has a different kind of sound. When you go to a disco club, there is a specific type of sound. On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, He came like a mighty rushing wind—He did not come softly, quietly, or politely. He came with a loud bang.
It is very unspiritual to come to church and remain silent. Jesus said, “If you don’t make noise, the stones will.” Your words change the atmosphere.
Do you know how the walls of Jericho fell down? They did not speak polite words or make eloquent noises; they made a loud noise. Do not let your dignity steal your destiny. Be childlike in your faith.
Jesus, the Foundation of the Church
Jesus is the one speaking in this verse. He tells Peter, “You are Peter,” as if Peter did not know who he was. The Greek word for Peter is Petros, meaning a small rock. But Jesus says, “On this rock, I will build my church.” Here, rock comes from the Greek word Petra, which refers to a large boulder or foundation stone. Jesus is saying that He is the foundation of the Church.
Matthew 16:18 – “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
That is why we do not permit speaking ill about any church, because every church is built by Jesus. It may feel good to hear someone praise your church over another, but do not entertain such things. Jesus builds His Church, and the process may seem imperfect because it is built with imperfect people. However, there is hope—Jesus is using imperfect people to build a perfect Church.
No Church is Perfect, But Every Church is Growing
Every church is imperfect, but if you find a perfect church, do not join it—you will make it imperfect. God is not calling us to perfection; He expects growth.
Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
We should find people in church who can walk with us, embracing both our strengths and weaknesses, growing together in faith.
The Challenges of Growth in the Church
Growth brings challenges. People do not like change. When the church was small, things felt comfortable, but as we grew, people resisted change. Some longed for the past, creating an exclusive group that made newcomers feel alienated. However, God shakes things up when He wants to expand His work. Every time we grew—from 10 to 20, 20 to 30, and beyond—there was resistance. The older members often struggled the most.
This resistance is what I call the Older Brother Syndrome, based on Luke 15. In the parable of the prodigal son, we focus on the younger son’s redemption, but the real issue is the older brother’s resentment. Similarly, in church, long-time members may struggle when newcomers quickly rise to leadership.
Adapting to Change and the Need for New Wineskins
Whenever God moves in a new dimension, He pours out new wine.
Matthew 9:17 – “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins.”
New wine requires a new mindset. Growth means embracing change, not holding onto past traditions. Every season brings new responsibilities, and we must be willing to adapt.
Some come from other churches and want to implement old methods here. If God has planted you in this church, submit to the vision here. Many opinions come my way about how to run the church, but Jesus builds His Church. He has the vision, and we are simply faithful stewards of His direction.
Following God’s Vision for the Church
When we started the church, someone asked me, “What’s the vision?” I honestly replied, “I have no vision—I am piggybacking on Jesus’ vision.” At the start, I could not have imagined where we are today. God gives us a sense of direction rather than a detailed blueprint. Our responsibility is to be faithful in our current season.
If I had not been faithful with ten people, God would not have entrusted me with twenty.
Luke 16:10 – “Whoever is faithful in very little will also be faithful in much.”
Growth requires change, and we must remain open to God’s leading.
The Church: A Governing Body, Not Just a Gathering
The word church comes from the Greek word Ecclesia, which is not a religious term. It was used to describe a governing assembly. The church is not just a gathering of saints—it is a legislative body making decisions that impact heaven and earth.
Matthew 16:19 – “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be lost in heaven.”
If there is chaos in a city, the church has the authority to take spiritual control. We should not have a defensive mindset but an attacking one.
Matthew 16:18 – “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Gates are defensive structures, meaning the church is meant to be on the offensive against the enemy, not just defending against attacks.
You Carry the Power to Transform the World
Matthew 13:33 – “He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.’’
Matthew 13:33 describes how a small amount of yeast can transform an entire batch of dough. You carry that same power. In the Old Testament, touching a leper made a person unclean. But when Jesus touched lepers, He made them clean. As His followers, we have the same power—we can be in the world but not of the world, transforming it with God’s presence.
The Church: An Attacking Army
The church is not a defending army; it is an attacking army. The devil has deceived many into believing that the church is in a defensive position, which has led to a mindset of defeat. Early in my ministry, whenever I went on mission trips, people would warn me, saying, “You’re praying for so many sick people and demon-possessed individuals—you need to be careful because the enemy’s attack will be doubled and tripled.” And so, each time I returned from ministry, I would be exhausted. But then I came to understand the truth: the devil has no power. It is we who elevate him to a level he does not possess.
Colossians 2:15 states that Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers.
Colossians 2:15 – “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Hebrews 2:14 affirms that Christ has destroyed the enemy.
Hebrews 2:14 – “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”
We are not fighting a powerful enemy—we are fighting a defeated one. Now, when we go for ministry, we are confident. The devil cannot touch us because we carry the infectious power of God.
The church must rise up and take its rightful place. Stop acting defeated! We are called to be a glorious church. Ephesians 2:6 reminds us that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:6 – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
A Vertical Battle
We must recognize that our battle is not even on a horizontal level; it is vertical. The enemy is beneath us. Fighting him should not be a struggle, unless we lower ourselves to his level. Consider a toddler who cannot walk—if you want to fight that toddler, you must get down to their level. In Genesis 3:14, when God cursed the serpent, He declared that it would crawl on its belly. The enemy is not standing—he is crawling.
Walk in Your Authority
Knowing that you are seated with Christ means that certain things should be impossible for a believer. In the church, I have seen two kinds of Christians: those who move from one problem to another, always burdened, and those who seem to live above their problems. The latter group has learned to overcome their challenges. If you find yourself constantly struggling, don’t be discouraged. There is hope for you. Declare in your heart: “I will not remain defeated—I will overcome because Christ has raised me up!”
The Power of Sundays
Sunday is not just another day; it is a reset. Proverbs 18:1 says that those who isolate themselves rebel against sound judgment.
Proverbs 18:1 – Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
When you gather with the saints on Sunday, you realign with the truth of God. The enemy spends the week trying to deceive you, telling you that you are hopeless and defeated. But when you come to church, your identity is restored.
Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday. Faith was restored to the disciples on a Sunday. The Holy Spirit was poured out on a Sunday. Resurrection, restoration, and revelation all happened on Sundays! If you need a reset, come to church. There is power in the gathering of the saints.
A Vision for the Year: Jubilee
The Lord has given us a vision for this year—a year of Jubilee! This means three things:
- Debts Canceled – What has been lost will be restored.
- Restoration of Inheritance – What was stolen will be given back.
- A Year of Rest – A season of divine rest for God’s people.
We must align ourselves with this vision by becoming a praying church, a faithful church, a serving church, a giving church, and a fellowshipping church.
A Praying Church
The early church was devoted to prayer. When the church prays, supernatural things happen—prison doors open, chains break, and miracles unfold. We must be a people who prioritize prayer.
A Faithful Church
Faith is not built on emotions; it is built on the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We live by faith, not by sight.”
But how does faith come? Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
We must be a church that prioritizes and honors God’s Word.
A Serving Church
Jesus Himself declared in Mark 10:45,
Mark 10:45 – “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
When you come to church, don’t come with an entitlement mentality—come with a heart to serve. The church is not a hotel where we are served; it is a home where we serve. If you see a need, meet it. If you see a mess, clean it up. Serve with joy, knowing that God blesses those who serve.
A Giving Church
Our Father is a generous giver, and we are called to reflect His nature. Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us not to store up treasures on earth but to invest in the Kingdom. When you give to God’s work, you are sowing into eternal impact. Don’t wait until you “have enough” to give—give in faith. The widow who gave two small coins gave more than those who gave out of their abundance because she gave sacrificially (Mark 12:41-44).
A Fellowshipping Church
Galatians 6:2 instructs us to carry one another’s burdens.
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
The church is a family. Joy multiplies, and sorrow is divided when we walk together. No one connected to the house of God should struggle alone. If you isolate yourself, you cut yourself off from the blessings of fellowship.
The church is not just a place to attend—it is a place to belong, to grow, and to thrive. Let us rise as an attacking army, walk in our authority, and live out the vision God has for us.
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