God is sovereign over the universe by virtue of his having spoken it into existence and maintains it (Exodus 20:11; Psalm 33:8-12). Jesus often admonished, "He that hath ears to hear let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Luke 8:8). God from heaven in thunderous tones said of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5-6). God promised Moses that he would raise up a prophet like him from among the Jews and would put his (God's) Word in that prophet's mouth and hold the people accountable for hearing what that prophet, Jesus, had to say (Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Acts 3:22). Hebrews 1:2 informs us that God speaks to people today through his Son, Jesus, the Christ. While on earth, Jesus said that his Word was what God the Father told him to say (John 8:26).

When acknowledged as the Son of God by the apostle Peter (Matthew 16:18), Jesus responded by promising to build his (Christ's) church upon the bedrock truth (v. 18). This was accomplished on the first Pentecost feast in Jerusalem after Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 2). As God's message of salvation was preached, three thousand responded to the Holy Spirit inspired call to 'repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins' (Acts 2:36-39) and were by the Lord himself added to the church that Jesus said he would build (Acts 2:47).

This church is God's family. All of God's children are in his family. They all wear the family name, Christian (Isaiah 62:2; Acts 11:26; Ephesians 3:15). This is a God-given name. God has but one family. It is spoken of often as Christ's body (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). He had but one body while on earth. He has but one spiritual body, or church, on earth today. It is referred to as "the Lamb's bride" (Revelation 21:9; Romans 7:4). He is still adding those being saved by his grace through obedience to the Gospel message to his church (Romans 1:16; 6:3-5, 16-18).

"Let the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him... he maketh the devices of the people of none effect" (Psalm 33:8, 10b). Hear the Word of Jesus, my friend. Live for him and someday with him! Does God have your attention?