The Church as God's Household (Ekklesia Part 1)
Loving What Jesus Loves
What does it really mean to love Jesus?
In a culture where faith often becomes an individual pursuit, we must return to a deeply biblical, majestic vision of the Church—one that calls us out of independence and into family, out of indifference and into purpose. Jesus not only died for individuals but also to establish His Church—a family, a household, a bride.
The Church Isn’t a Place—It’s a People
Jesus never used the word “church” to refer to a building. Instead, He used the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “the public gathering of God’s people.” In Matthew 16:18 (ESV), Jesus declares, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” This ekklesia is the only institution Jesus says will withstand the forces of hell—not our government, not even our families.
We must reclaim this high view of the Church. It is not a man-made organization. It is the God-designed, Spirit-empowered people of God. And to follow Jesus faithfully means loving His bride.
Can We Love Jesus and Not Love His Bride?
Imagine having a friend you care about deeply. Could you claim to love that friend while rejecting or mistreating their spouse? Of course not.
Scripture paints a similar picture: the Church is the bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV) proclaims, “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready…” If we love Jesus, we must also love His bride—the Church.
Too often, even believers speak harshly about the Church. While we expect the world to misunderstand it, we grieve when those who know Jesus diminish the Church’s beauty and value.
The Household of God: A Place of Belonging
The Church is repeatedly described as God’s household (1 Timothy 3:15), and like any healthy home, it is designed with structure and leadership. In God's design, elders serve as spiritual fathers—imperfect but faithful men who protect, provide, pray, and are present for God’s people.
The image of the Church as a household reflects God’s relational nature. Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV) says, “God sent forth his Son… to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Through Christ, we are adopted into a new family—God’s family.
And every family needs a home.
Why the Church Still Matters
In recent years, many have stepped away from gathering with believers, embracing the idea that we can follow Jesus privately, watching sermons alone online. But we were never meant to do this alone. Ephesians 2:19 (ESV) reminds us, “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
The Church is God’s primary means of carrying, expanding, and establishing His Kingdom on earth. We cannot fulfill our calling in isolation. We need the Church to grow, to mature, and to stay anchored in truth.
A Personal Testimony of the Church as Home
Many of us come to faith with broken family backgrounds. One story shared in the message highlights this: a teenager meets Jesus but flounders without the support of a church. Years later, a simple invitation to church changes everything. Through that church, a spiritual family formed, and a young man not only found belonging but also his calling.
This is what the Church does—it adopts, supports, nurtures, and raises people into maturity. It is both the family we didn’t have and the family we still need.
Elders: Fathers in the House
God’s design for the household of faith includes elders—mature, godly men who shepherd the Church. Titus 1:5-9 (ESV) outlines their qualifications: above reproach, hospitable, self-controlled, sound in doctrine. These men aren’t perfect, but they are entrusted to care for God’s people and defend truth.
Their appointment isn't a ceremonial role—it’s a spiritual mantle to serve, guide, and protect.
Three Lies That Undermine the Church
Much of the decline in church participation can be traced to three pervasive lies:
“I can do this on my own.”
The truth: The Church is a household where we grow together (1 Corinthians 12).“Truth is relative.”
The truth: The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).“I can discover my purpose apart from God.”
The truth: We find our identity and calling in Christ and in His body—the Church (Romans 12:4-5).
Over the coming weeks, we explore these metaphors more deeply—the Church as a household, a pillar of truth, and the body of Christ. Each image reveals the heart of God and the centrality of the Church in His redemptive story.
Reclaiming a Zeal for God’s House
King David, called a man after God’s heart, also had a deep love for God’s house:
“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells” (Psalm 26:8 ESV).
“Zeal for your house has consumed me…” (Psalm 69:9 ESV, quoted by Jesus in John 2:17).
To love Jesus means to love His Church. To honor the Father means to value His household. To walk in the Spirit means to walk alongside the body of Christ.
Let’s reclaim a biblical vision of the ekklesia—not as a Sunday event, but as the living, breathing, Spirit-filled family of God.
Reflection Questions:
Read Matthew 16:13–20. What does Jesus’ promise about His Church stir in your heart?
How have you experienced the Church as a household or family? In what ways do you need that today?
Is there a shift needed in your heart to grow in love for the Church as Jesus' bride? Talk to God about it.