Are you overcoming opposition to building up the church?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the process of building up the church, how to help churches grow spiritually, reach out to their communities, and help them prosper in their efforts to share the healing and saving message of Christ. And also overcoming opposition to their efforts for progress.
There are so many ways of building up the church, and I’m not specifically talking about a literal building project, either a new church or an addition to an existing edifice, although that can be a really important thing for a church to do.
I’m mostly thinking about spiritual building, spiritual growth of the members individually and collectively, the natural result of which is outward growth and progress.
Literally building up the church (or Temple)
Recently I was reading the book of Ezra in the Old Testament. Many of the Jews, who had been held captive in Babylon, returned to Jerusalem and began to rebuild the Jewish Temple because of a decree made by Cyrus, King of Persia, allowing them to do so.
Work on the Temple began around the year 536 B.C.E. A lot of progress was made and the foundation of the Temple was complete. And here’s where opposition reared its ugly head.
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”
Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia. Ezra 4:1-5 NIV
The rest of Ezra, Chapter 4 goes into great detail of how these opponents wrote letters to Kings Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes with false accusations against the motives of the Jews and eventually had the work on the Temple stopped. This delay lasted about 14 years.
Darius’s decree overcoming opposition
But when Darius became the new King of Persia, things took a turn for the better, as far as the Jews rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem were concerned.
It’s really a fascinating story of overcoming opposition. Darius had a search made of archived decrees. He fund the original authorization by King Cyrus to rebuild the Temple and then helped the Jews in their efforts to rebuild the Temple, providing money and supplies for the project.
If you haven’t done so lately, I encourage you to read the book of Ezra to see how this story unfolds and comes to a conclusion. One thing I get from this little bit of Bible history is that overcoming opposition is not always quick and easy.
And I love how this story throws light on building up the church today. I am no longer surprised that there’s opposition to building up the church. In fact, from where I stand, it seems the opposition is actually proof that you’re going forward. The people who oppose building up the church are most vocal when you’re going forward.
Paul building up the church
Let’s hop over to the New Testament for another example of efforts to stop, in this case Paul, from building up the church.
Once Paul was actively preaching the Gospel of Christ, he began to travel from one city to another. And a pattern began to emerge.
He would go to a new location and find the local synagogue, where he knew he would find Jews, who had a strong faith in the one God of Israel, and who also had hopes of a coming Messiah.
His habit was to share with these faithful Jews how Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. There was often great receptivity to his preaching and teaching.
Here’s one of my favorite examples.
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!” Acts 13:13-16 NIV
Paul shows Jesus is the Messiah
He then proceeded to show, through the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Messiah.
What was the result?
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:42-44 NIV
There was a lot of receptivity. Paul was, in effect, building up the church. Now obviously, I’m not talking about a church edifice. He was adding believers to the body of Christ.
Paul facing opposition
And it was his great success that brought out opposition to the church.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. …the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. Acts 13:45, 50 NIV
This became a standard operating procedure by the entrenched religious hierarchy of the day, to put fear and doubt into the hearts of honorable men and women, who had been receptive to Paul. And then they discredited Paul and the emerging Christian church.
This process gets repeated in other places Paul went to preach.
Paul overcoming opposition
What I find fascinating is how Paul and those with him responded to this opposition. They didn’t take it personally. They didn’t whine and complain.
So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:51, 52 NIV
This opposition actually spurred on Paul and company to trust God and continue preaching with more conviction than before. And they were full of joy and inspiration through the Holy Spirit.
Now, this may sound a little odd, but I find this opposition to Paul’s efforts at building the church up encouraging in a way. It shows he was on the right track, or there wouldn’t have been any opposition.
As long as the religious leaders were in control of the people’s beliefs and religious practices, they were content. But as soon as Paul challenged their hold on the people, they opposed him and his teachings.
Overcoming opposition at your church
Now you might be wondering: Hey James, this is all kind of interesting. But how does this relate to me and my church today? How on earth am I supposed to be encouraged when there’s opposition to building up the church and making progress?
That’s a great question. As I mentioned earlier, opposition to progress at church is actually a sign that your church is doing something right.
In listening to people from a lot of different churches over the years, I’ve noticed several different ways opposition to progress shows up.
Sometimes it comes from folks who have been members for a very long time and remember how things used to be done successfully. They are unfamiliar with and suspicious of trying new ways of doing things.
My dad decided not to oppose progress at church
Toward the end of his life, my dad made a very interesting comment at a business session of his church. They were discussing a proposal for a big change that was splitting the church right down the middle. My dad had been a member of his church since he was 12 or 13 and everyone knew and respected him. And he was fairly conservative in his embrace of new ideas.
But at this meeting, he stood up and said he had seen a lot of changes over the 60+ years he had been a member there. And he had been opposed to all of them when they came up for discussion. But looking back he could see that all those changes had been good for the church as a whole and for the members individually as well. And so he recommended the church embrace this new idea as well. And that helped the new idea get adopted.
I don’t remember now what the particular issue was, but when he told me what he had said, I was so proud of him. He knew the church had to progress or it would be left behind and not meet people where they were or help them go forward in their faith.
Why there’s opposition from within the church
Sometimes people oppose new ideas of building up the church because they’re afraid it won’t work or they don’t want to have to do something different, or they don’t want to do anything at all . Sometimes they oppose new ideas because their sense of order feels threatened. Sometimes people are just apathetic. And different factions of the church have different opinions of building up the church.
Some folks believe a new idea will take away the power and influence they have currently.
In fact, it may be a pastor who is reluctant to bring in change, because they don’t want to lose the control they have.
All of these examples are of opposition from within the church itself. But sometimes the opposition is from outside influences, as was the case with building the Temple in Jerusalem and with Paul in Antioch.
Overcoming opposition from outside the church
I know of a church which had a wonderful vision for how to increase its outreach and impact on its community. It involved modification of the current church building. But the church was in the historic district of its town and the Historic Commission would not approve of the structural changes, in effect putting an end to the church’s very thoughtful plans for progress. They had to shift gears and come at things from a different angle, which they did.
This church didn’t give in to opposition, but overcame it by shifting gears. Sometimes that’s what we have to do.
I’m also aware of churches who are earnestly striving to follow Christ and share their faith to the best of their abilities, but other Christian churches, who disagree with some of their theological doctrines, secretly and openly oppose these churches they disagree with.
I see this on social media way too often. Church A will criticize Church B, pass judgement on them, and then claim to be the only true church. Then a Church C will criticize the Church A and treat them the same way they treated Church B. And on it goes.
Are you building up the church?
The book of James gives a strong rebuke to this type of attitude.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. James 3:9, 10 NIV
Now I realize James is talking about how we speak about people, but the same counsel applies to how we talk about churches as well.
It’s okay to disagree with another church’s doctrines and approach to things. But this is where we need to remember the Golden Rule.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NIV
If another church disagrees with you on important points, do you want them to vilify your church on social media or anywhere else? I doubt it.
Or are you tearing down someone’s church?
If you think it’s your God-given duty to oppose some church you disagree with theologically, it’s time to eat a nice big slice of humble pie.
Do you think you will be building up the church by tearing down someone else’s church?
This is where we all need to remember the wisdom of Gamaliel. When Jewish leaders wanted to punish the Apostles for preaching about Jesus, Gamaliel had a much more reasonable approach.
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:34, 35, 38, 39 NIV
Overcoming opposition with spiritual curiosity
What if, instead of actively opposing a church you disagree with, you embrace some genuine spiritual curiosity? Find someone from that church and have one or more actual conversations. Ask them to share their faith from their perspective.
And if you are in the church facing opposition from another church, instead of getting defensive, if possible, try to have an actual conversation with someone from that church and find out where they’re coming from.
Don’t debate them trying to prove you’re right and they’re wrong. Try to understand and see things from their perspective. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, but you just might learn something in the process and have a better understanding of someone else who is trying, to the best of their ability, to follow Christ.
The real question is: How are you building up the church. And not just your church, but the entire body of Christ? And how are you overcoming opposition to your efforts?
Building up the church begins with prayer
It all starts with prayer, turning to God for help and guidance. I’ve heard of so many churches, when facing challenges or new opportunities, turning to God in humble prayer, asking God to show them what to do.
One of the best examples of this in the Bible is when Paul, still called Saul, Barnabas, and other Christians are fasting and praying.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:2, 3 NIV
If you noticed, this is also from Acts, Chapter 13. This was the beginning of that journey where Paul was preaching, which I mentioned earlier.
Paul, Barnabas, and the others prayed about what would be best for building up the church and spreading the Gospel.
They weren’t debating their own ideas. Pride of power and influence didn’t motivate them. They were fasting and praying and listening to what God would reveal to them.
How are you building up the church?
When your goal is building up the church, fasting and praying is a powerful way to get started. Is there any reason why your church couldn’t hear the Holy Spirit telling you what to do next, just like it did for Paul and Barnabas?
I heard of a church recently which had no kids in their Sunday School. They decided to pray for all the children in their community. They weren’t praying to get more kids to come to Sunday School, but it wasn’t too long before kids started showing up and they had an active children’s ministry. How can you embrace your community in prayer?
When you’re following the direction of the Holy Spirit in your efforts at building up the church, overcoming opposition will be much more natural. You can brush the dust off your feet, so to speak, just as Paul did.
No formula for overcoming opposition
As for overcoming opposition, there’s no formula. It always comes back to turning to God for help. But Paul gives us the practical example of leaving behind the opposition and focusing on going forward, finding new ways of reaching people with the message of Christ and building up the church.
Is your church facing opposition and resistance right now in its efforts to grow and progress spiritually?
Seen in the light of what Jesus said about the future of his church, you don’t need to be intimidated by this opposition.
Jesus’s promise
When Jesus told Simon Peter he was establishing his church on the Rock of the understanding that Jesus is the Messiah, he made a promise about his church.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 NIV
Jesus is telling us here that the enemy that opposes building up the church is not a person, another church, or an institution. In this context he calls it the gates of Hades. Other places he refers to the enemy as the devil.
Paul calls it the carnal mind’s enmity against God. That is the actual source of any opposition to building up the church. And we have Jesus’s promise that evil will not prevail over his church.
There has been and will be opposition to the church Jesus founded. History gives us too many examples of this. Sometimes the opposition comes from within the established institution of the church. Sometimes it comes from outside the church.
See this opposition for what it is, first, as an attempt to stop what Jesus put in motion, which must in the end, fail. And second, as proof that what you’re doing is effective. Your efforts at building up the church bring this opposition out of its hiding place, expose it, and show it has no ultimate power to stop you or your church from making spiritual progress.
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Photo Credit:
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and church mentor. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by learning to think, pray, and love like Jesus. Contact him here.
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Bible References
Ezra 4:1-5 NIV
1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel,
2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”
4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.
5 They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Acts 13:13-16 NIV
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!”
Acts 13:42-44 NIV
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
Acts 13:45, 50 NIV
45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
50 …the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
Acts 13:51, 52 NIV
51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
James 3:9, 10 NIV
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Matthew 7:12 NIV
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Acts 5:34, 35, 38, 39 NIV
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 13:2, 3 NIV
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Matthew 16:18 NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
