A Christ Centered church

What to Look for in a Biblical, Christ Centered Church

When searching for a church home, it's easy to focus on the wrong things. We look at worship style, program offerings, building aesthetics, or whether the service fits conveniently into our schedule. But what if we're asking the wrong questions? What if, instead of asking "What kind of church works best for me?" we should be asking, "What has God done, and what is He building?"

The church is not a consumer product to assess or a weekly event to attend. It is something far more profound, a redeemed people, a united household, a holy dwelling place, and a royal witness. Understanding what the church truly is will transform how you evaluate where to belong.

The Church Is a Redeemed People

Ephesians 2:11-13 reminds us: "Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh... were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Before anything else, the church is a people rescued by God. We were once far off—separated, alienated, hopeless, and without God. That's not a minor detail; it's devastating. But then comes the glorious turn: "But now in Christ Jesus..."

Everything changes with those words. We were brought near not because we figured it out, cleaned ourselves up, or earned our way in. We were brought near by the blood of Christ. This is redemption language. This is covenant language. This is grace.

What This Means for Church Search

When looking for a church, don't start with preferences. Start with this: Is this a place where the gospel of grace is central? Does this church understand that we don't enter by preference, but by grace? Does it preach that no one can boast, that we all stand the same way—once far off, now brought near by Christ alone?

A biblical church is built on shared redemption, not shared tastes. It's held together by Christ's blood, not by common backgrounds or personalities. If a church treats the gospel as assumed or secondary, keep looking.

The Church Is a United Household

Ephesians 2:14-19 declares: "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility... that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace."

Christ didn't just save individuals—He did something far more revolutionary. He made one new man. He tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In the Jerusalem temple, there was a literal stone barrier separating Gentiles from the inner courts, marked with warnings: Cross this line, and you will die. That wall symbolized and enforced separation—insider and outsider, clean and unclean, near and far.

But Christ didn't step around the wall or negotiate access through it. He destroyed it. In His flesh, at the cost of His body, His blood, His life, that wall came down. When He cried, "It is finished," the hostility and separation were finished too.

What This Means for Church Search

Look for a church that reflects this unity. Does this church welcome people from different backgrounds, ages, and life stages? Is there evidence that the gospel has broken down walls of hostility—racial, economic, generational? Or does the church cater to one demographic, one style, one "type" of person?

A biblical church cannot be built on separation, superiority, exclusion, class, intellect, or appearance. The wall that defined "us versus them" has been destroyed by Christ. If a church mirrors the world's divisions rather than the gospel's unity, it's missing something essential.

Ephesians 2:19 says: "So then 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 a household, a family. This means relationship matters. Accountability matters. Love, grace, mercy, and patience matter. You can't have a household without commitment. You can't have a family without responsibility. You can't belong without being connected.

Ask yourself: Does this church treat me as a family member or as a customer? Does it call me to commitment, or does it simply offer services? Christ didn't shed His blood for a weekly event. He created a family.

The Church Is a Holy Dwelling Place

Ephesians 2:20-22 tells us: "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

God is not just collecting individual bricks. He is joining something together. Different stories, different backgrounds, being fit together by His design, not by our preference. And why? So that we become a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

In the Old Testament, God dwelt in the temple. In the Gospels, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Now, in the New Covenant, God dwells in His people. The church is not a place where God sometimes shows up. It's where God chooses to dwell.

What This Means for Church Search

Look for a church built on the foundation of God's Word. Is the preaching rooted in Scripture? Is the teaching faithful to the apostles and prophets? Does Christ remain the cornerstone, the one who determines everything, or has He been reduced to a supplement?

A church without this foundation is not a church, no matter how full, sincere, active, or impressive it may be. If the Word is sidelined, if Christ is distorted or diminished, the whole structure collapses.

Also, ask: Does this church take corporate worship seriously? Does it understand that what happens when God's people gather matters? Showing up matters. Everyday faithfulness matters. Bearing one another's burdens matters. Loving one another in weakness matters.

God is building a dwelling place for His glory. If a church treats worship as a performance or attendance as optional, it has missed the point.

The Church Is a Royal Witness

1 Peter 2:9-10 proclaims: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

God saves a people so that His glory might be seen, His gospel proclaimed, and His grace displayed. We are not saved out of the world; we are saved for the world. The church is a visible, unified people and a corporate witness.

This is why the church matters. The world doesn't just need individual Christians scattered and isolated. It needs the church, people who belong to God, who love one another, and who proclaim Christ.

What This Means for Church Search

Look for a church that understands its mission. Does this church exist for itself, or does it exist to proclaim the excellencies of Christ? Is there a heart for the lost? Is there a commitment to making disciples? Does the church see itself as a witness to God's grace?

A biblical church knows it is chosen, royal, holy, and His. It knows it is not its own. It belongs to Christ, and it exists for His glory.

A Gentle Correction: What Feels Like Being Slowed Down Might Be the Work God Has Given You

Some people say, "I don't want to waste my time on fluff. These people are just going to slow me down." That desire for depth is not wrong, it's actually quite right. But here's the question God would press upon us: Who gets to decide what truly matters?

In Scripture, the things God calls essential are rarely fast. Moses was 80 when God called him. Israel wandered 40 years in the desert. From the first announcement of the Messiah in Genesis 3:15 to the birth of Jesus was approximately 4,000 years. It's been almost 2,000 years since the resurrection.

God's work is often done in unimpressive ways: sitting under the preached Word with God's people, gathering week after week even when it's difficult, bearing with one another, being formed together over time, not just being informed.

What feels like being slowed down might actually be the very work God has given us to do. The people we think are slowing us down may be the very people God intends us to help speed up. That's not a distraction from spiritual growth, that is spiritual growth.

Jesus walked with His disciples, loved them, and met them where they were. That's grace. And that's how God still works in the church today.

What Is the Church?

The church is:

• A redeemed people brought near by the blood of Christ

• A united household reconciled through the cross

• A holy dwelling place where God Himself lives by His Spirit

• A royal witness proclaiming His excellencies

The church didn't begin with us. It's not built on our preferences, and it does not exist for our comfort. The church exists because Christ died, Christ rose, and Christ reigns. And because He reigns, He is gathering a people for His glory.

Reflection Questions:

• Do I relate to the church mainly as a place I attend or as a people to whom I belong?

• Am I looking for a church that fits my preferences, or am I looking for a church where the gospel of grace is central?

• Does the church I'm considering reflect the unity Christ purchased with His blood?

• Is this church built on the foundation of God's Word, with Christ as the cornerstone?

• Does this church understand that it exists to proclaim the excellencies of Christ?

Take This With You

The church is not a place we just come to. The church is a family we belong to because we belong to Christ.

When you're looking for a church, don't settle for good music, convenient times, or relatable preaching. Look for a place where the gospel is preached, where Christ is exalted, where the Word is foundational, where unity is pursued, and where God's people are being built together into a dwelling place for His glory.

Because that's what the church is. And that's why the church matters.

At Summit Lake Community Church, we are committed to being a biblical, Jesus-centered church, a redeemed people, a united household, a holy dwelling place, and a royal witness. If you're searching for a church home in Southwest Colorado, we'd love to meet you. Join us for Sunday worship at 10:30am, and discover what it means to belong to the family of God.

Christ and his church

Why did Pastor Rob choose to begin a sermon series on Christ and His Church?

In every generation, the church faces the temptation to drift away from Christ as her center, from Scripture as her authority, and from God’s design for life together as His people. Cultural pressures, individualism, consumer Christianity, and confusion about authority and commitment have all contributed to a weakened understanding of what the church is and why it matters.

Pastor Rob desired to speak to the church as a unified body about the nature and purpose of the church, and about how we can honor and glorify Christ, His church, and one another. His hope is that this series will re-center God’s people on biblical truth, clarify what the church is called to be, and encourage faithful participation in the body that Christ purchased with His blood.

What better way to start the new year than growing together as Christ’s church?

1. Christ Is the Foundation and Head of the Church

Any discussion of the church must begin with Christ Himself. The church does not exist because of tradition, convenience, or human initiative. It exists because Jesus Christ willed it, established it, and sustains it.

Jesus declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The church belongs to Christ. He is its builder, owner, and defender. A sermon series on Christ and His church reminds believers that the church is not ultimately about programs, personalities, or preferences. It is about Christ’s glory.

Scripture teaches that Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22–23; Colossians 1:18). This means He governs, nourishes, and directs His people. When a church neglects teaching on Christ’s authority over His body, it risks drifting into pragmatism or cultural accommodation. A focused sermon series helps realign the congregation under Christ’s lordship, reminding both leaders and members that they submit to Him alone.

By teaching Christ’s supremacy, the church learns humility, dependence, and obedience, essential qualities for spiritual health.

2. The Church Is Central to God’s Redemptive Plan

Many Christians today view the church as optional or secondary to personal faith. While personal faith in Christ is essential, Scripture never separates faith in Christ from belonging to His people. God’s redemptive plan has always included a gathered people who bear His name.

From Israel in the Old Testament to the church in the New Testament, God has been forming a people for His glory. Ephesians 3:10 teaches that through the church, “the manifold wisdom of God” is made known. That is a staggering truth the church is God’s chosen display of His wisdom to the world and even to the heavenly realms.

A sermon series on Christ and His church helps believers see the church not as a human invention but as a central part of God’s eternal purpose. It corrects the idea that the church is merely a weekly event and replaces it with a biblical vision of the church as God’s living, redeemed community.

When believers grasp this truth, they no longer ask, “Do I need the church?” Instead, they ask, “How can I faithfully serve Christ through His church?”

3. The Church Is Christ’s Bride, Body, and Family

Scripture uses rich and intimate imagery to describe the church. She is called the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27), the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), and the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). These metaphors communicate value, love, unity, and responsibility.

A sermon series devoted to Christ and His church allows these images to shape the church’s identity.

• As Christ’s bride, the church is loved sacrificially, pursued faithfully, and being prepared for glory.

• As Christ’s body, the church is interconnected, dependent, and gifted for service.

• As God’s family, the church is marked by love, care, discipline, and commitment.

Without clear teaching on these truths, church membership can become casual, individualistic, or consumer-driven. A sermon series reminds believers that belonging to the church means belonging to one another and that Christ deeply cares how His bride is treated and how His body functions.

4. It Clarifies the Purpose of the Local Church

Many churches struggle with mission drift. Activities multiply, calendars fill, and priorities compete for attention. A sermon series on Christ and His church brings clarity by asking fundamental questions:

• Why does the church exist?

• What has Christ called us to do?

• What does faithfulness look like?

Scripture teaches that the church is devoted to the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, and the ordinances (Acts 2:42). It exists to glorify God, make disciples, and build up believers for works of service (Matthew 28:18–20; Ephesians 4:11–16).

By walking through these biblical purposes, a sermon series helps the congregation evaluate what matters most. It encourages leaders and members alike to align their efforts with Christ’s priorities rather than cultural trends or personal preferences.

Clarity leads to unity. When a church understands why it exists, it is better equipped to serve faithfully and joyfully.

5. It Teaches Biblical Church Membership and Commitment

In an age of mobility and individualism, commitment to a local church is often undervalued. Many Christians attend services without meaningful involvement, accountability, or responsibility. A sermon series on Christ and His church provides an opportunity to teach biblical church membership.

The New Testament assumes that believers belong to identifiable local churches with recognized leaders (Hebrews 13:17), mutual accountability (Matthew 18:15–20), and shared responsibility (1 Corinthians 12). Membership is not about status; it is about covenant commitment to love, serve, and grow together under Christ.

Teaching on church membership helps believers understand:

• Why commitment matters

• What it means to submit to godly leadership

• How mutual care and discipline function in love

Rather than viewing membership as restrictive, believers begin to see it as a gift, a means of grace God uses to protect, mature, and strengthen His people.

6. It Strengthens Biblical Leadership and Followership

A healthy church requires both faithful leadership and humble followership. Scripture clearly teaches that Christ gives pastors, elders, and deacons to serve and shepherd His people (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). These roles exist for the good of the church, not for power or prestige.

A sermon series on Christ and His church allows teaching on:

• The role and responsibility of elders and pastors

• Servant leadership modeled after Christ

• The call for members to respect and pray for their leaders

At the same time, it guards against unbiblical authority by reminding leaders that they serve under the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1–4). Teaching both sides promotes humility, trust, and cooperation within the body.

When leadership and membership understand their biblical roles, the church is better equipped to grow in maturity and unity.

7. It Encourages Unity in a Divided World

The world is marked by political, generational, and ideological division. The church is called to display a different reality which is unity in Christ. Jesus prayed that His people would be one, “so that the world may believe” (John 17:21).

A sermon series on Christ and His church emphasizes the gospel foundation of unity. Believers are united not by background or preference, but by Christ’s saving work. Teaching on the church confronts sinful divisions and calls believers to humility, patience, and love (Ephesians 4:1–6).

This kind of teaching is especially important in seasons of cultural tension. The church must be reminded that its ultimate allegiance is to Christ and that its unity is a powerful testimony to the gospel.

8. It Reinforces the Church’s Witness and Mission

The church does not exist for itself alone. Christ commissions His people to make disciples of all nations. A sermon series on Christ and His church connects doctrine with mission, reminding believers that the church is God’s primary instrument for spreading the gospel.

Teaching on the church’s mission helps believers see their daily lives, work, family, relationships, as arenas for faithful witness. It emphasizes that evangelism and discipleship are not optional extras but core responsibilities of the church.

When believers understand who they are as Christ’s church, they are more confident and bold in living out their faith.

9. It Protects Against False Views of the Church

False teaching often thrives where biblical teaching is absent. Without clear instruction, people may adopt unbiblical views of the church, such as:

• The church exists primarily to meet personal needs

• Online content can replace embodied church life

• Authority and accountability are unnecessary

• Unity requires minimizing doctrine

A sermon series on Christ and His church provides theological grounding that guards against these errors. By anchoring teaching in Scripture, the church is equipped to discern truth from error and remain faithful in a changing world.

10. It Cultivates Love for Christ Through Love for His Church

Ultimately, a sermon series on Christ and His church is about cultivating love for Christ and love for His people. Scripture makes clear that Christ loves the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). To love Christ is to care about what He loves.

As believers grow in their understanding of the church, their perspective changes. Complaints give way to gratitude. Passivity gives way to service. Individualism gives way to joyful commitment.

Teaching on Christ and His church helps believers see the church not as something to consume, but as something to cherish, protect, and build up for God’s glory.

A sermon series on Christ and His church is not merely informative, it is formational. It shapes how believers think, live, serve, and worship together. It strengthens the foundation of the local church by rooting it firmly in Scripture and centering it on Christ.

In a time when the church is often misunderstood, undervalued, or neglected, teaching clearly and consistently on Christ and His church is an act of pastoral faithfulness. It calls God’s people back to His design, renews their commitment, and equips them to live as a faithful witness in the world.

When the church understands who she is in Christ, she is better prepared to reflect His glory until the day He returns for His bride.