Be Focused On People, Not Property Series

In Matthew 16:18, we read where Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” When Jesus stated that He would build His church “on this rock,” He was not referring to the location where they were standing, and He did not have in mind a piece of real estate or property. Peter’s name in Greek means, “rock.” Therefore, Jesus was declaring that He would build His church on Peter, meaning that Peter would become the head of the New Testament church.

Even today Jesus builds His church on people, not on real estate. A church member at Bridgewater Church in Knoxville, Tennessee testifies, “Somewhere along the way we’ve unintentionally confused buildings with the Church.”(1) We often say things like, “Where do you go to church?” “Are you building a new church?” “Where is your church?” and “Last Sunday when I went to church.” This same church member continues to state, “Our words reveal that many people see the church as a location, a building, and bricks and mortar.”(2)

The church is an assembly of God’s people. Even if believers were to meet for worship out in an open field, in a cave, under a large tent or even in a store front, the assembly of the Lord’s people would still be called a church. It is important for us to note that the church is comprised of people, for if we fail to remember this fact we could make the mistake of directing our energies into preserving property instead of rescuing those who are perishing.

Jesus Used the House for Preaching (vv. 1-2)

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

We read that when Jesus entered Capernaum “that He was in the house” (v. 1). Whenever Jesus became tired of ministering to the multitudes, there were two main places that He would retreat for rest; one was on a mountain (Mark 14:23), and the other was in a house. For example, Mark 7:24 states, “He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.” Jesus had hoped to draw the curtains and lay low for a while, because He sought solitude for some much needed down time. However, we read here that He could not conceal His location, for “it was heard” (v. 1) where He was staying.

When the people discovered His location, there were so many of them gathered around the entrance to the house that those near the back of the crowd could barely hear Jesus speak. Nevertheless, “He preached the word to them” (v. 2). Jesus preached from the doorway of a house, which was commonplace in the New Testament; as houses were often utilized as a base for teaching and preaching the gospel. For example, Acts 5:42 testifies, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Jesus preached from the entrance of a house, and the apostles would also teach and preach inside a house.

What I am hoping we can understand is that a house is not a museum; it is meant to be lived in and used. In the past, when going house hunting, my wife and I noticed that many houses had numerous holes in the walls and doors falling off the hinges. Why? Because the house was “well-loved” and well-worn. A house is just a utility; it’s not the real home. The “home” consists of all the family members living inside, who laugh together, play together, and love together. The house is only the vehicle in which the home is established. However, some people treat their house as a showpiece, where each room is an exhibit to showcase a particular theme or interest; and visitors are only allowed to look, and not touch.

A church is often called “the house of God.” That means it is the place where we worship the Lord; and where we grow in fellowship as a church family, to become the “home of God.” The church building is nothing special, for the Lord can meet us anywhere. For example, Luke testified, “And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’” (Luke 24:32). Just as Jesus met with His disciples on the road, the Lord can meet with us wherever we find ourselves. God is not found only in the church building, nor is He confined there.