Ephesians 4:11-16. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
The most important blessing we must experience at every moment is salvation. Nothing is more dramatic than becoming children of God. Nothing is more exciting than obtaining freedom from the law of sin and death. Nothing is more assuring than possessing the right to receive answers to prayer. Nothing is more rewarding than living a life as a witness for Christ. And nothing is more privileged than becoming a member of the church of Jesus Christ.
This is why God’s absolute plan is to build His church worldwide (Matthew 16:18). He has already laid out His plan to establish His church: Christ, His kingdom, and the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1–8). Accordingly, God gathered those who believed in His eternal covenant (Acts 1:14), and His church was born (Acts 2:1–47).
From the very beginning, their focus was clear:
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42). This is the church God desires to establish even today.
As a result, God appointed leaders in His church to continue the gospel movement (Acts 6:1–7). Even persecution became a tool, as He used the suffering connected with Stephen to build His church at Antioch (Acts 11:19–30). Through this unfolding work, God opened the door to world missions (Acts 13:1–3).
The church of Christ spread throughout Macedonia (Acts 16:6–40), Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9), Ephesus (Acts 18:18–28), Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11), Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–13), and Rome (Romans 16:1–23). These churches were established in homes, right in the heart of mission fields.
This reveals an important truth: God desires the church, not just church buildings. Why did God allow the destruction of the three temples built by Solomon, Zerubbabel, and Herod? Why did the churches of the Middle Ages decline? Why does God lament over today’s church?
The answer is clear: a church without a courtyard for the Gentiles, a courtyard for healing, and a courtyard for children—the remnants—is no church at all. This is why Jesus was furious when He entered the temple (John 2:13–19). That temple would not survive (Matthew 24:2).
Likewise, throughout history, whenever the church of Christ lost its identity and mission, all kinds of disasters and calamities covered the world. Today, the number of churches worldwide is shrinking at an alarming rate. God called His church to be the guardian of the message of the cross, yet the gospel of Jesus Christ is disappearing, being distorted, and watered down. As a result, the entire world is suffering. This is the church’s responsibility.
In the midst of this, knowing the incredible power of the gospel, Satan raises false prophets and teachers to throw people—even the people of God—into confusion. They do so by elevating miracles and signs, legalism, myths, and religious lifestyles above God’s way of salvation through Christ alone. They seek to undermine the unconditional love and boundless grace of God. They are not ashamed of preaching the so-called “prosperity gospel,” which is no gospel at all.
Consequently, today’s believers live and act like spiritual orphans or infants. They are constantly changing, like a ship tossed back and forth by the waves. They are influenced by new teachings from those who deceive with clever schemes and tricks, leading them down the wrong path.
Therefore, in response to this crisis, we must restore our true identity as the church and recommit our lives to the Great Commission Jesus gave (Matthew 28:18–20). But how?
First, we must restore the blessing of worship centered on Christ (Acts 2:42). Like the Early Church, we must never stop teaching and proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42).
Building on this, we must also equip God’s people for works of service, strengthening the body of Christ. This work must continue until we are united in the gospel and experience the life and power of Jesus in our daily lives. Let us keep our hearts devoted to the gospel and help God’s people remain strong in the faith, unswayed by false teachings.
Let us not forget who God has called us to be. We are the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Let us stand firm in the truth that Jesus is the Christ.
Standing on this truth, to everyone God brings into our lives, let us represent Christ (Matthew 25:40). We are Christ’s ambassadors, entrusted with the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Therefore, Christ is sending us to bring healing to all nations covered in darkness (John 20:21; Mark 16:15). We have the responsibility of passing the gospel on to the next generation (John 21:15–17).
Above all, remember that you are the church (1 Corinthians 3:16). You are God’s temple, and the Holy Spirit dwells in you. That is what makes you set apart and unique. You have been chosen for the work God prepared long ago. Wherever you go, the church goes with you, and people will be blessed through you.
At the same time, we are also the church together (Matthew 18:18–20). When believers gather together, Christ is present among them. His church is established there. When this church prays in His name, nothing is impossible.
Finally, find those who know the mystery of Christ, and you will see the church of God established among you. The gates of hell will not overcome this church (Matthew 16:18). Pray for your local church, that they may devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching (the Word), fellowship, the breaking of bread (experiencing the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection), and prayer (Acts 2:42), so that a life-changing work of God may take place in your region.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for Your church. May Your church restore Your light and shine into the world, completely covered by darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.