The Unstoppable Gospel: Jesus Is the Lord of the Church! – April 30, 2025

Read: Revelation 1:4-18

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.” When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:4-7,17-18

The Unstoppable Gospel: Jesus Is the Lord of the Church!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you go to a big church or a small church? Are you happy when you go to church? Are you sometimes unhappy about going? When you look at the other people there, do they seem excited to be there?

Not everyone will answer those questions the same way. For example, someone who has been going to church their whole life might feel excited and happy to see their friends each Sunday. But someone going to church for the first time might feel a little scared or worried. They might wonder if they fit in.

But no matter what, both of them should find the same thing at church: Jesus is there. Whether the group is big or small, whether you are excited or a little nervous, Jesus is with you in church whenever you hear about him from the Bible.

Do you know what Jesus does at church? He is healing everyone there. Everyone who is sick with sin (that’s everyone at church), Jesus cures. Everyone who is facing death (that’s everyone at church), Jesus saves. Everyone who needs strength to fight against sin and the devil (yep, that’s everyone), Jesus helps them.

Jesus is the Lord of the church. He walks with you every day, giving you the power to fight against sin and comforting you when you’re afraid of death. When you go to church, thank God for the other people there because they need the same things you do: healing, strength, forgiveness, and Jesus!

And Jesus really does show up in his church. He rules over everything in the world for the good of his church—and for your good. The gospel message of sins forgiven through faith in Jesus will always be shared in churches everywhere. Nothing can stop the gospel, because Jesus is the Lord of the church!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, rule over your church so that many can find healing, forgiveness, and strength from you. That’s what I find in church. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Everyone has a terrible sickness that separates us from God. What is that sickness? Who heals us?
• God wants all people to hear his Word and believe in Jesus as their Savior. Where are places that you hear God’s Word taught?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• When you think of judgment day, how do you feel? According to verses 17-18, how does Jesus want us to feel?
• The apostle John was exiled, or in prison, on the Island of Patmos for preaching God’s Word. Why can we be confident that God’s Word will continue to be spread even when God’s enemies don’t want it to?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Using verses 4-8, list the different phrases and names that describe God. What do these verses tell you about God and what he has done for us?
• Through the gift of faith, we look forward to spending eternity with our Savior in heaven; however, many will “mourn because of him” (verse 7). Why is our mission to share the news of the Bible with others urgent?