THE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSON

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18

One of the most common questions people ask is whether going to church is necessary to be a Christian. While the answer may seem straightforward, it often reveals a deeper issue. Many people are really asking what the minimum requirement is to remain connected to God.

Scripture points us beyond that mindset. Following Jesus is not about doing the least amount possible. It is about stepping fully into the life He offers. Jesus does not simply invite people to attend religious gatherings. He calls His followers to be the church.

Going to church often centers on consumption. What do I get out of this? Do I like the worship? Is the teaching helpful? Does it serve my family? While these things matter, they are not the full picture. Being the church shifts the focus. It asks a better question. What role do I play in what God is doing?

Scripture makes clear that the greatest threat to life is death. Not only physical death, but spiritual death caused by sin. From the beginning, sin fractured humanity’s relationship with God, with one another, and within themselves. The consequences of sin ripple through every part of creation.

But the story does not end there. The greatest hope is not a system or solution. It is a person. Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that in Him was life, and that life was the light of men. Jesus entered a broken world to push back darkness, conquer sin, and defeat death itself.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus established a new reality. Sin and death no longer have the final word. Hope does.

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples a defining question. Who do you say that I am? Peter responds with a bold declaration. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. This confession becomes the foundation for everything that follows.

Jesus explains that He will build His church on this truth. The word He uses for church is ekklesia. It describes a gathering, a movement, a community with purpose. Jesus was not talking about a building. He was describing a people empowered by God to carry His hope into the world.

Jesus goes on to say that even the gates of Hades will not overcome His church. Death itself cannot stop what God has designed. The church is meant to be an unstoppable force.

The Apostle Paul expands this idea in 1 Corinthians 12 by describing the church as the body of Christ. Every believer is a part of that body. Each person is unique, intentionally placed, and deeply needed.

Just as the human body functions best when every part is active and healthy, the church thrives when each person embraces their role. Differences are not a weakness. They are a strength. Unity does not require sameness. It requires shared purpose.

Every member both adds weight and brings value. There are seasons when we receive support and seasons when we give it. That rhythm is part of how God designed His church to function.

Scripture challenges believers to consider the cost of disengagement. When people choose not to serve, not to give, or not to live in community, the body suffers. The church becomes limited rather than powerful.

But when believers step fully into obedience, something remarkable happens. Needs are met. Ministry expands. Communities are impacted. The gospel reaches further. The church begins to operate as Jesus intended.

Being the church is not about guilt or pressure. It is about purpose. Jesus invites His followers into something bigger than themselves. He entrusts them with the message of life and calls them to carry it together.

Jesus designed His church to bring heaven to earth. Not simply to wait for eternity, but to live out God’s kingdom now. This happens when believers serve faithfully, give generously, build relationships, and walk in obedience.

The church becomes unstoppable when it operates the way God intended. Not because of buildings or programs, but because of people fully surrendered to Jesus and empowered by His Spirit.

The invitation remains the same today. Not just to attend church, but to be the church.

The Tree Church is a life-giving church serving communities in Ohio. With campuses in Lancaster and Logan, the church gathers each Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM to worship, learn, and grow together.

If you are looking for a church in Lancaster or a church in Logan, you are welcome to join us in person or online. No matter where you are in your faith journey, there is a place for you at The Tree Church.