WHAT IS THE REAL CHURCH?

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27.

When many people hear the word “church,” they think of a building: stained glass, windows, pews, pulpits, and Sunday services. “You gotta have one to get married in,” or “It’s the place where kids should go on Sunday.”

The real church is not defined by architecture, location, or programs. It’s the living body of Christ—made up of believers. Wherever God’s people gather in His name, whether in cathedrals or living rooms, coffee shops or prisons, that is the church. Not brick and mortar, but flesh and spirit.

We get sidetracked sometimes—measuring the health of a church by its attendance numbers, worship style, or even the polish of its sermons. The true church is not defined by size, wealth, or popularity, but by its devotion to Christ and its commitment to His word. It is marked by something much deeper: love, unity, truth, and mission. The true church is composed of individuals who have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus, making Him the center of their lives.

The true church exists to help people deepen their relationship with God by establishing a connection with Jesus Christ. The genuine church will disciple individuals and help them develop their God-given talents to be used in magnifying the Lord.

It is a place of real faith. Faith is the absolute belief that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and eternal life. That type of faith should compel a person to explore and deepen their relationship with Jesus by living for Him every day. It’s not about being perfect as much as it is about recognizing how much you need Jesus and understanding that repentance leads to transformation.

It is place of real boldness. Boldness can be a risky business, but only if we do it on our own. When the Lord leads the way, we can follow Him without fear, knowing the outcome is always in His capable hands. When the disciples prepared to share the gospel, they prayed, “…give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word” (Acts 4:29). They knew they couldn’t drum up boldness on their own, so they called on God to help them be unafraid and unapologetic.

The Lord quickly answered the disciples’ prayer: “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). Boldness is really about God, then, and not about us.

“The Bible is not the light of the world; it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible; the world reads Christians! You are the light of the world.” (Charles Spurgeon).

Discussion Questions:

1. Do I view church primarily as a place I attend, or a people I belong to?
2. How am I contributing to the life and mission of the real church?
3. Are there ways I’ve limited my understanding of church to something less than God intended?