Building church together ?

 Whose Church Are We Building?

When we speak about building a church, we must first be clear: it is not our church to build according to our own blueprint. Jesus Christ said plainly, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Notice carefully—it is His church, and He is the builder. If we attempt to build it by our own preferences, convictions, or traditions, we risk placing ourselves in the position of lord rather than submitting to the true Head of the church.

1. The Danger of Our Own Blueprint

We may be tempted to say:

“Only KJV will be used here.”

“We will uphold verbal plenary preservation.”

“We will base everything on the TR text.”

“We will practice total abstinence from alcohol.”

“We will reject all tongue-speaking.”

While some of these positions may reflect biblical convictions, if we make them the foundation of the church rather than Christ Himself, we are no longer building on the Rock. Paul warns: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

The church is not defined by the version of Scripture we prefer, nor by the policies we set, but by Christ’s finished work and His living presence among His people.

2. Christ Is the Head, Not Us

Paul tells us, “And he is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). When we decide the terms of who can join us based on our own chosen distinctives, we risk dethroning Christ and enthroning ourselves. Instead, God’s Word shows the church is made up of all who are born again by the Spirit: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The question is not, “Do they fit our exact standard?” but rather, “Are they in Christ?”

3. The Folly of Human Strength

Psalm 127:1 declares: “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” No matter how carefully we design our church rules, no matter how pure we believe our doctrine or practice to be, if Christ is not building it, our labor will end in vanity.

Israel tried to build religion their way, and the Lord said through Isaiah: “This people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me” (Isaiah 29:13). We must beware lest we do the same.

4. God’s Way of Building

The true church is built by:

The preaching of Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23).

The power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:47).

The Word of God in truth (John 17:17).

Love that flows from Christ (John 13:35).

These are the marks of God’s building, not man’s regulations. If our distinctives are elevated above the gospel, we have ceased to be co-laborers with God and have made ourselves master-builders of our own little kingdom.

Conclusion: Whose Church?

If we insist on building a church where only those who meet our man-made criteria may belong, then it is not God’s church—it is ours. We have become the lord of that assembly. But Christ does not call us to build our church; He calls us to be living stones in His church (1 Peter 2:5).

The great question remains: Are we co-laborers with Christ, submitting to His Word and Spirit, or are we attempting to establish a monument to our own will?

Let us humble ourselves under Christ’s headship, remembering His words: “I will build my church.” And if it is His church, then only His way will stand.