By Pastor Samuel Namatiiti
“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
What is a Church?
In the Old Testament, what New Testament believers call the Church was known as the Tabernacle. Both point to one truth: the House of God. We may therefore define the Church as the gathering of people desiring to meet with their Maker.
The Church was never man’s invention. It was, is, and always will be God’s idea. The true Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal — originating from eternity past and destined for eternity future.
God first revealed this concept with the children of Israel in the wilderness. He commanded Moses to build a tabernacle where He would meet His people. From Genesis onward, the Church can be traced in symbols and foreshadows in the Old Testament, then revealed in fullness in the New Testament as the House of God — a place where worshippers gather to honour Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
In Genesis 3:8–9, we read of God walking in the cool of the day, calling out, “Where art thou?” This was not the cry of an angry judge but of a loving Father seeking fellowship with His children. That same call resounds today, echoing through generations: God seeking those who will worship Him sincerely.
The make-up of a local Church
The local church is more than a building. At its centre is the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No gathering can rightly be called a church unless Jesus Christ is its chief cornerstone.
The presence of the Holy Spirit is vital. Without Him, worship becomes empty ritual. Preaching and teaching must flow from the inspired Word of God, anchored in the sixty-six books of Scripture. Praise and worship should form the heartbeat of every service, lifting the congregation into communion with their Maker.
Equally important are the people. Each person who chooses to come is part of the living body. When they gather with sincerity, they form a vibrant local expression of Christ’s Church.
Believers’ desire for God’s house
The psalmist’s passion for God’s house is evident:
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” — Psalm 27:4
Again in Psalm 84:1–3, he declared:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.”
These words express the longing of the faithful to be in God’s presence, finding joy and peace in His house.
Robotic worshippers
God did not create humans as mindless robots pre-programmed to obey Him. He gave us free will. This means attending church is a deliberate choice. Sadly, some choose otherwise, denying themselves blessings reserved for those who gather in His name.
Psalm 84:4–5 reminds us:
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”
Though God dwells in the heart of every believer, He delights in the community of His people. Something powerful happens when believers gather: burdens are lifted, encouragement is shared, and joy is restored.
It resembles the atmosphere at a concert or a sporting event, yet it is far more meaningful. In worship, believers encounter the living God, and that encounter transforms lives.
Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Fellowship with other believers is unlike ordinary friendship. It is infused with God’s presence, offering encouragement in trials, strength against temptation, and wisdom for daily life.
Ministry gifts in the Church
Romans 12:4–5 illustrates how believers function within the Church:
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Every believer has a role. Some excel in administration, others in teaching, music, or acts of service. Even seemingly small contributions, such as welcoming visitors or cleaning, matter greatly in God’s sight.
When everyone plays their part, the Church becomes a powerful force for good, a living witness of Christ’s love, and a mighty army resisting Satan’s attacks.
James 5:14 highlights another dimension: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them.” This shows how the Church provides spiritual covering and practical ministry to those in need.
Being active in church draws believers into fellowship. They find teaching, care, encouragement, and prayer. Such fellowship strengthens the spirit and provides a family of faith in a world that often feels cold and hostile.
The unseen Church
Beyond the local congregation lies the universal Church — the unseen fellowship of all believers worldwide. Across towns, villages, and cities, followers of Jesus Christ gather, united in Him.
The Muvule tree offers a vivid picture. Though each tree appears separate, beneath the ground lies a network of roots stretching out for miles, linking them together. From these roots, new shoots arise, growing into more trees.
This mirrors the Body of Christ. Though scattered across nations and cultures, believers are invisibly connected by one Spirit (John 10:16). When Christians meet abroad, they often feel an instant bond, as though with family. Worship styles may differ, yet the essence is the same: devotion to Christ.
Thus, the universal Church is one body with many local expressions, united in the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Word of admonition
It is spiritually dangerous to forsake church fellowship. Many people today are consumed by work, business, or personal pursuits, filling their days but leaving no time for God. This lifestyle is spiritually bankrupt.
The soul has a God-shaped void that nothing else can fill. Church attendance is not wasted time; it is life-giving. It refreshes the body, rekindles the spirit, and restores meaningful relationships.
Those who prioritise God’s house often find blessings overflow into their families and businesses. Taking one’s family to church on the Lord’s Day is a step of obedience that invites divine favour.
Daniel 12:3 assures us: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”
The Church was God’s idea from the beginning. It remains central to His eternal purpose: a place where His presence dwells, His people gather, and His Kingdom advances.
Through worship, teaching, fellowship, and service, the Church strengthens believers and transforms communities. To neglect it is to starve the soul; to embrace it is to discover abundant life in Christ.
The call still echoes: “Where art thou?” May we respond by running to God’s house with joy, finding our place in His family, and shining like stars for eternity.
Amen.
