BLUEPRINT FOR BUILDING A CHURCH

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

If you were to ask someone to describe the church, they would likely begin to speak of a building.  They would describe a structure of bricks and mortar with columns and a steeple.  But that is not the church.  That is the place where the church assembles for worship, instruction, and to prepare to go on mission for Christ.  The church is the company of saints that gather together, those inhabited by the Holy Spirit.  The local assembly is the visible expression of Christ’s body on earth.  We are the holy temple that He is building.

Jesus gave a great promise—that He would base His church on solid ground.  He would be that Rock upon which the church would be founded.  He promised that He would build His church with His grace. Every child of God will be another stone in that temple He is constructing, cemented by the unity of the Spirit—one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

As we entered building programs in churches I have served in the past, we have had two things to help us at the outset of construction—an artist’s rendering and an architect’s blueprint.  The artist gave us a picture to see what the building would look like and the architect gave us the understanding of how it should be built.  God has a blueprint for building His church.  It is found in the New Testament.  To see how the church is to look, we need only study the picture given to us in the Book of Acts.  A snapshot is offered in Acts 2:41-47,

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.  (NKJV)

When we come together on the Lord’s Day, we should be examining our local church to see how we measure up to God’s model.  Our prayer should be that God would build us according to His blueprint. 

Join me in this prayer:

Christ, the Cornerstone,

You are the object of our worship.  As the saints of God assemble, may we express worship that You find acceptable—worship in spirit and truth.  Give us the kind of celebration that the first-century saints enjoyed.  Forgive us for failing to invite unbelievers to come hear the Gospel more often than we do.  For any who will gather in the House of God, open their heart to receive the truth and be saved.  Thank You for the privilege of partnering with You in the building of the church.  Cement us together in a common purpose.  Let no strife divide us.  Shield us from Satan’s fiery darts of discord.  Make the fellowship sweet.  Give our teachers and our preachers a fresh and forceful Word from heaven for us.  Enable them to express it with clarity, liberty, and authority so we may be built up spiritually.  Feed Your flock with sound doctrine through these human vessels surrendered to You.  May every need be met—no one departing without receiving a measure of grace corresponding to their need.  We will glorify You, Lord Jesus.

In the Name of the Builder of the Church,

Amen.

Yours in Prayer for Our Churches,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist