Sunday Digest: The Purpose of the Church — By Hon Obi Aguocha

The church exists as God’s chosen instrument to reveal His will and glory on earth. It is not merely a physical building but a spiritual body made up of believers who are united in Christ. According to Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared that He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. This statement establishes the church as a divinely ordained institution with an enduring mission rooted in God’s redemptive plan.

One primary purpose of the church is to worship God and honor Him in spirit and in truth. Worship goes beyond songs and gatherings and includes lives surrendered to God. In John 4:23-24, Jesus taught that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such people the Father seeks. Through collective worship, prayer, and thanksgiving, the church expresses its devotion and acknowledges God’s sovereignty.

The church is also called to teach and nurture believers in the knowledge of God’s word. Spiritual growth is essential for every Christian, and the church serves as the place where believers are equipped for maturity. Acts 2:42 records that the early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. Through sound teaching and discipleship, the church helps believers grow in faith and obedience.

Another key purpose of the church is fellowship and mutual support among believers. God designed the church as a spiritual family where members care for one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and not to neglect meeting together. Through fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, believers are strengthened to live out their faith.

The church is also entrusted with the mission of evangelism and spreading the gospel. Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that He commanded. This Great Commission underscores the church’s responsibility to proclaim salvation through Christ and to bring others into a relationship with God.

Service and compassion are essential expressions of the church’s purpose. Believers are called to reflect Christ’s love through acts of kindness and justice. In Galatians 6:10, the bible urges Christians to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. By serving the needy and standing for righteousness, the church demonstrates God’s love in practical ways.

In conclusion, the purpose of the church is to glorify God through worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, and service. Ephesians 3:10 reveals that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God is made known. When the church faithfully fulfills its God given purpose, it becomes a powerful light in the world and a living testimony of God’s grace and truth.