As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon how Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MATTHEW 16:18-19, NIV), I saw how Jesus gave apostle’ Peter the keys of the Kingdom. And, keys represent authority. Indeed, all Twelve Apostles are part of the Church’s one foundation. All are in perfect alignment with Jesus the Chief Cornerstone (EPHESIANS 2:20; REVELATION 21:14, NIV).
In Isaiah 22, I’m being reminded of how Eliakim was summoned to high office in the kingdom of Judah; as the LORD said, “I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22, NIV). Just as Eliakim became a steward of the house of David, Peter will become a steward of God’s kingdom.
Today, I pray for Jesus to reveal Himself afresh to this generation in Singapore. And, may our work be an act of worship flowing out of our constant communion with Jesus Word and in prayer (ACTS 6:4, NIV). I pray for a life-changing revelation of Jesus among the unsaved in our city – especially those who are disillusioned with false securities and empty belief systems in their lives.
Indeed, the Apostles of Jesus and their successors have kingdom authority to make decisions, resolve disputes, restore peace, and establish divine order in the Church. And, their decisions when made by revelation
Hence, I pray for Jesus to anoint each one of us that we may:
• Lead by revelation and establish divine order in the Church
• Resolve controversies, settle disputes, reconcile enemies
• Expose pretenders, silence deceivers, correct heresies
• Pioneer new kingdom initiatives that rattle the gates of hell
• Stand together against evil and promote truth, justice and righteousness
• Turn Singapore Godward through Gospel proclamation and united prayer
• Make new disciples among unreached peoples in Asia and beyond
In Matthew 18:15-20, we see how Jesus extends this awesome authority, not only to apostles, but to ordinary disciples who are rightly related to the Body and submitted to its leadership.
Truly, the keys are given to God-ordained leaders who are under apostolic authority and who walk in Peter’s faith and virtues (ORIGEN) as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text. And, binding and loosing is a metaphor for exercising kingdom authority, especially in situations of conflict in the Church.
Come Lord Jesus, build your Church today!
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 9th July 2019)
Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, let your kingdom authority flow through us to build and to bless the communities through our good works today: Jesus, let your kingdom authority flow from your throne into the Singapore Church as you manifest your power through your appointed leaders who bear your mantle, share your suffering, unite your Body, and serve your mission.
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