He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 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.

Matthew 16:15-18

After listening to some Christian thinkers consider the question as to how the world can be changed in a time such as this when many consider Christianity to be in decline among people in the West. Jesus' own words declared the truth that the church He builds will prevail in the end. 

From the time of the first disciples, the role we are called to play is one of evangelism and discipleship and so I am reminded of the lyrics of Keith Green's "No Compromise" album released in 1978. I've often said Keith Green could pack more into a three minute song than many pastors can communicate in a thirty minute sermon and so for today, just consider these words from the song, "How can they live without Jesus?"

How can they live without Jesus
How can they live without God′s love
How can they feel so at home down here
While there's so much more up above

Throwin′ away the things that matter
They hold on to things that don't
The world has gone crazy
But soon maybe
A lot more are gonna know

For maybe they don't understand it
Or maybe they just haven′t heard
Or maybe we′re not doin' all we can
Living up to His Holy Word

′Cause phonies have come
And wrongs been done
Even killing in Jesus' name
And if you′ve been burned
Here's what I′ve learned
You know, the Lord's not the one to blame

For He's not religion, thank God
With steeples and bells
Or a salesman who will sell you
The things you just want to hear
For His love was such
That He suffered so much
To cause some of us
Just to follow, follow

So many laughing at Jesus
While the funniest thing that He′s ever done
Is love this whole stubborn rebellious world
While their hate for Him just goes on

And love just like that
Will bring Him back
For the few He can call His friends
The ones He′s found true
Who've made it through
Enduring until the end