The Church Is Not a Building – It's the People!

Good morning, church people!

Let me start by asking you a simple question: Where is church? Is it in a beautiful building with a shiny steeple? Is it in a room with rows of cushioned pews, stained-glass windows, and a big ol' cross on the wall? Or is it somewhere else?

Now, you might be thinking, "Well, pastor Cris, it’s obviously in the building where we meet!" And, hey, I get it – the word "church" often makes us think of a specific place. Maybe you even grew up with that idea, and when someone said “church,” you instantly pictured a building with a big parking lot and the smell of coffee wafting through the air as you walked in on a Sunday morning.

But guess what? The church is not a building! I know that sounds shocking, but hear me out. The church is YOU. It’s me. It’s everyone who has the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them. Jesus didn’t die to establish a place where we just sit around in cushy chairs every Sunday and listen to some preacher talk about stuff. He died to establish a community of believers, a living, breathing, spirit-filled group of people, not just a pretty building with a cross on top.

Jesus Destroyed the Temple – and Rebuilt It Inside Us

Let’s take a little trip to the Bible. In John 2:19-21, Jesus says:

“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

Now, at first, people thought Jesus was talking about the physical temple in Jerusalem. They were like, “What? This temple took 46 years to build, and you’re gonna destroy it in three days?!”

But Jesus wasn’t talking about the building. He was talking about Himself – about His body. He said, "I will rebuild it in three days." And guess what? He did! Jesus was resurrected after three days – and He gave us a brand new way of worshiping, a new temple, not made with bricks and mortar, but made up of living stones – each and every one of us who believes in Him.

You see, after Jesus died and rose again, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in believers. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul says:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

This means that if you’re a believer, you are the temple of God. And so am I. We’re not supposed to be looking for God in a building with stained-glass windows and nice carpets – He’s living inside of us! The Holy Spirit doesn’t hang out in a building, He’s inside of His people, guiding, convicting, and empowering us to live out God’s will.

The Problem with Church Buildings

Now, I’m not saying that church buildings are evil or that you should never attend a church building. What I’m saying is that many church buildings don’t really follow God’s design for the church. We've got this idea that going to church means showing up to a building, sitting through a service, and that’s it. But that’s not what church is all about.

The truth is, many church buildings today are not always biblically run. There are some churches out there that are more focused on entertainment, big budgets, and growing numbers than on teaching the Word of God. And let’s not forget the false teachers who are out there, using church buildings as a platform to spread misleading teachings and distort the gospel. Jesus warned us about false teachers in Matthew 7:15, saying:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

These wolves, folks, are out there, and they’re using the church as a platform to deceive people, twist the Bible, and lead people astray.

And let’s talk about women pastors for a second. Some churches say it’s perfectly fine for women to lead the church and preach from the pulpit. But what does the Bible say? In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul says:

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”

Now, this isn’t a knock on women – women are incredibly gifted, and we need their wisdom and support in the church. But the Bible is clear that God’s design for the leadership of the church is male. And when churches ignore God’s design in this way, they are stepping outside of His will.

Also, let’s not forget the tithing issue. The Bible says in Malachi 3:10, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." This has often been used to justify the idea that every Christian is required to give exactly 10% of their income to the church. But here’s the thing: tithing was part of the Old Covenant law that God gave to Israel under Moses. In fact, the 10% tithe was specifically for the support of the Levitical priesthood, the temple service, and the care of the poor. It was an old covenant practice that’s no longer binding on Christians today.

Why? Because as believers in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the Old Covenant law. We live under the New Covenant through Christ’s death and resurrection. In the New Testament, we’re not commanded to give exactly 10%, but we are called to give cheerfully, generously, and from the heart. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

You see, the New Covenant doesn’t mandate a specific percentage; instead, it encourages us to give what we feel led to give, with joy and with the heart of generosity. God doesn’t want your begrudging 10%—He wants your whole heart and a willingness to give from what He has blessed you with.

Where Should Your Money Go?

Now, here’s the key: Instead of focusing on giving 10% just to fund a church building or a pastor’s salary, God’s Word teaches that our giving should be directed toward those who are truly in need—whether that’s people in your community, missionaries, or those who are less fortunate. Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-40 that when we give to those in need, we are giving to Him. The priority should be on helping the poor, the sick, the persecuted church, and those who can’t give back to us.

But here’s where it gets tricky: Some churches are using the tithes and offerings not just to support the true work of the Kingdom, but to fund unbiblical agendas. For example, when people give to a church that has female pastors or is promoting a message that doesn’t line up with God’s Word, that money is being funneled into something that goes against God’s design for the church. And, I don’t say this lightly, but I believe this is part of Satan’s agenda—to mislead Christians into supporting things that distort the Gospel and God’s order.

Building a Christian Fellowship

So, if the church isn’t about the building, and it’s not about the flashy stuff, then what is it all about? It’s about fellowship. Community. Living life together as the Body of Christ. Church should be a place where we come together, worship God, encourage one another, and build each other up in the faith. It’s not about the building – it’s about the people.

In Acts 2:42-47, we see the early church in action:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

Do you see what they were doing? They were living out their faith in community. They didn’t just go to a building on Sundays – they lived it out every day. They shared meals, prayed together, encouraged one another, and gave to those in need.

When you’re looking for a church to attend, look for a place that fosters true Christian fellowship. Find a church that teaches the Bible faithfully, where the Word of God is the center of everything. Look for a church that lives out God’s love and truth and doesn’t just put on a good show.

What to Look For in a Church

When you’re looking for a church, here’s what you need to ask yourself:

• Is this church theologically sound? Are they teaching the Bible correctly, or are they twisting Scripture to fit a personal agenda?

• Do they honor God’s design for church leadership? Is the pastor a man who is faithful to the Word, or is the leadership structure outside of God’s will?

• Do they care about people? Are they living out the love of Christ, serving the community, and supporting one another in their walks with God?

  
  

You don’t want to attend a church that just ticks boxes – you want to be a part of a church that lives out the heart of God’s plan for His people.

Conclusion

So, here’s the deal: The church is not a building. The church is the people who have the Holy Spirit living inside them, walking out God’s will and purpose in their lives. If you’re looking for a church, make sure it’s a place where the Word of God is faithfully preached, where the leadership aligns with Scripture, and where the people are truly living out the love of Christ in community.

Don’t be fooled by fancy buildings or flashy programs – true church is about people and the way we live out God’s mission together.

Amen!