Today we are celebrating Broad Rock Baptist Church’s 129th anniversary. This is truly a blessing and the only reason why BRBC is still here is because of Jesus Christ. When a church is established and begins to make an impact in the community, it becomes a threat to the enemy. Therefore, the enemy will do whatever he can, to dim the light that is shining bright from the Church. The reason the light is shining bright is because the focal point of the Church is Jesus Christ. The enemy will attempt to distract the saints, and cause friction in the Church. If he is successful, the light will begin to dim in the Church because less attention is given to Jesus Christ. When the light begins to dim the impact the Church has in the community also diminishes. If this is not corrected the Church is in danger of having to shut its doors, because they are incapable of meeting the financial needs to keep things going. However, BRBC has been able to keep the 

light shining, because Jesus Christ is the focal point of the Church. This does not mean there have not been any problems, but the saints were able to keep their attention on Jesus Christ. 

In Matthew 16:13-19, there is a conversation that takes place that is instrumental in understanding the purpose of the Church. Jesus asks this question, “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They responded by listing out historical prophets in the Bible, and John the Baptist. Then Jesus asked a second question, “but who do you say that I am?” Jesus wanted to know if they viewed Him based on what others have said, or were they going to be original thinkers. Everyone else was basing their view of Jesus from what they saw from a distance. But, the disciples had an up close and personal relationship with Him. Therefore, no one from the outside should be able to define who Jesus is for them. Then Peter responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus told Peter, he was blessed, and God opened his eyes to see the truth. The next statement Jesus makes is the reason why the Church is still in existence, “I will build My Church, the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” When the Church keeps Jesus Christ at the center of all it does, nothing can block us from being a blessing. Saints, we know there is a spiritual war happening around us, and we have the victory through Jesus Christ. This is why we keep Him at the center of all we do, because He has given us the victory!

There is a reality you must face, how do you see Jesus Christ? Your response has an impact on the Church. When you establish a personal relationship with the Lord, then your light is shining bright for all to see. When you gather with other saints that have this relationship, the light gets brighter. Then the enemy attempts to cause dissension among the saints, but you work through the issues by keeping Jesus Christ in the center of all that is happening. Blocking whatever the enemy was trying to do. This is the reason why BRBC is celebrating 129 years of service, because we keep the Light shining! Continue to walk in your blessings.