Bursting Through the Gates

I grew up in a family of hunters. My grandfather hunted. My dad, uncles, brothers, and cousins were all hunters. Some still hunt today. Whatever hunting season is open, chance are great that I have family out participating in the hunt. I hunt on a daily basis. Every morning I hunt for my glasses. I hunt for my shoes. I hunt for … well, you get the picture.
One animal hunted on a regular basis was raccoon. They had to rely on their dogs to sniff them out and “tree them.” My grandfather had a kennel full of coon hounds. He raised and trained red tics, blue tics and any other colored tic imaginable. He had one standing rule: Always keep the gates closed.
Gates served a function in walls and pens. They allowed in what the gate wanted in, and allowed out what the gate wanted out. When the gate is closed, it keeps in what was inside and keeps out what is outside.
In ancient times, gates served a major function to the city. Many large cities were walled for defensive purposes, thus the gate was the only way into the town. The gates by which they were entered were the principal places for holding courts, transacting business, and deliberating on public matters. Thus, gates were also a place for gatherings.
In times of warfare, the gate became the heaviest fortified part of the wall. That is where the armies would gather before they exited the city to begin their conquest. As an opposing force, getting into the city through the gates was a virtual impossibility. Not only did they have to try to get through the waiting army, the gates had various defensive mechanisms and units guarding it.
Jesus spoke of certain gates attempting to stop or overcome His precious treasure, the church, when he stated, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18 NASB). The gates would not be able to overpower the church that Jesus builds. At the same time, these gates will not be able to keep Jesus out, “. . .a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” (Matthew 16:18c MSG) Jesus will build a church that can not be stopped.
Jesus promises to build the church. This promise is not given to mean that He will build it, and then leave. Nor should it be inferred that He has stopped building the church. As long as there are people on this earth, Jesus will continue to add to His church. Thus, continually building His church.
His church will burst through the gates. It will run with a purpose. It will continue to grow and spread. Will you sit idly by or will you burst through the gates with it?

What's In A Name

While many people look forward to summer for vacations, camping trips, and barbecues, for me and a group of men, it is also softball season. I have played for the same softball team since 1988. Thousands of people from all around my imagination have been coming out to watch my team play. Some of the news stories that have circulated on the internet have stated that my softball team has consistently outdrew some of the major league teams. I am a legend in my own mind.
While the players have changed, the one thing that has remained consistent with the team is the name. Which is where I want to begin with my little story. Many years ago there was a coaches only meeting with the league director. He wanted to play our games on a different night than Tuesdays. He asked if there would be any problems with changing to Wednesday nights. I raised my hand and responded that it wouldn't be feasible for my team. He naturally asked why it wouldn't work and I answered that my team had some Pastors and youth workers on it and that I wouldn't be able to field a team. He followed up with the most logical question, “What is the name of your team?” At which point I answered, “We're the Outlaws.”
While the name of the team does not portray who we are, there is one name that does portray who he is. His name means, “The Lord Saves”. Thus, it is only through his name that we are saved, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV) That name is Jesus Christ.
As followers of Christ, we take on a completely new name also. That name means, “Christ-like” and is the most common name given to all believers: Christian.
Our attitude and our thinking must become like Christ. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NIV). One attitude that Jesus had was one of humility. Humility is not a bad word, it is tied to serving others. Humility is treating people better than yourself, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3,4 NIV). Treating other people better than ourselves, and looking at the interest of others should become second nature to a Christian.
While my teams name may conjure up cowboys in bandanas, we are from from it. Just like the name Christian may conjure up self centered, self seeking people, we are to be far from it. We need to see how Christ looked at the world. He looked at it with so much love and humility that He died so that everyone who comes to him may live in eternity with the Father in Heaven.