Unless the Lord Builds the House

How God Builds His Church

By Rob Riesmeyer, Elder

Who Is Building Your Life?

In our fast-paced world, we often pride ourselves on what we’ve built—our careers, families, reputations, and even our religious systems. We measure success by what we’ve achieved. But when it comes to life’s more profound questions—Who am I? Why am I here? What happens when this all ends? We may find that our carefully built structures don’t hold up under the weight of those questions.

And that’s where God steps in.

Psalm 127:1–2 (ESV) reads:

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

The wisdom here is not about discouraging hard work but reminding us of who holds the blueprint. When it comes to the Church—the body of Christ—it’s not a manmade organization. It’s not the result of charismatic leaders or a successful strategy. The Church is God’s design, built through His Son, Jesus Christ, and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s explore how the Lord builds His Church—from prophecy, to promise, to living expression.

Psalm 127:1-2 The Futility of Building Without God.

At first glance, Psalm 127 might seem like a warning about building homes or city walls. But it speaks to something much deeper—control. We like to think we are in charge. We can make something meaningful. But Scripture reminds us: Without God at the center, it’s all temporary.

This is especially true when it comes to spiritual things. Religion without relationship is empty. Ritual without righteousness is meaningless. Even good intentions can be built on shaky foundations.

This Psalm speaks to individuals and entire communities. It challenges the idea that we can manufacture peace, security, or meaning apart from God. It’s also a fitting warning against reducing the Church to a human institution. You can have programs, buildings, and full calendars—and still miss the very presence of God.

When the Lord builds His Church, it isn’t about the building. It’s about the people. It’s about the heart.

Matthew 16:17-19 The Rock of Revelation.

Now let’s fast forward to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:17–19 (ESV). Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter responds:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replies:

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven…”

This is a powerful moment. Jesus is not saying He will build His Church on Peter the man, but on the confession of Peter’s faith—that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

It’s the divine revelation of Jesus’ identity that becomes the cornerstone.

So what does this mean for those who don’t yet believe?

It means the Church isn’t a club for perfect people. It isn’t built on who shouts the loudest or appears the most righteous. It’s built on Jesus, the only one who could bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.

This is Good News.

You don’t need to figure it all out before stepping inside. You need to recognize that no human effort, no religious checklist, and no good works can build a bridge to God. Only Jesus can.

Acts 2:42-47: The Blueprint In Action

What happens when the Church is built by God and not man? We see the answer in Acts 2:42–47, a snapshot of the early Church:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…And awe came upon every soul…And all who believed were together and had all things in common…And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

This wasn’t a forced community. It was organic. It was full of life, joy, generosity, teaching, prayer, and shared meals. It wasn’t about status or structure but about belonging through belief in Jesus.

Notice the phrase: “The Lord added to their number.” Not Peter. Not clever marketing. The Lord.

The Church didn’t grow because the apostles were great speakers—it grew because people encountered the living Christ and their lives were transformed.

Why This Matters to You Today:

You may not consider yourself religious. Maybe you’ve been burned by the Church. Perhaps you think the Church is outdated, judgmental, or irrelevant. Maybe you’ve been told you need to “clean up your act” before God could ever love you.

Here’s the truth: God doesn’t ask you to fix yourself before coming to Him. He asks you to come to Him so He can transform you.

Jesus died not for the righteous, but for sinners—for those who are lost, broken, wandering, and weary. He took our sin and shame upon Himself on the cross and rose from the grave so that we might live.

The Church is not perfect, but when God builds it, it is powerful—not in an earthly sense, but in an eternal one.

When the Lord builds His Church, He builds it with people like you—people with questions, pain, a past, and a future they can’t imagine without Him.

An Invitation: Be Part of What God Is Building.

You don’t need a seminary degree to be part of the Church, and you don’t need to know all the Bible stories or memorize Scripture (though those things help over time).

You need to come honestly.

The Church God is building is not a sanctuary filled with stained glass and silent pews—it’s a community of grace, forgiveness, and truth. It’s the family of God—imperfect, but redeemed.

Will you let God build something new in your life?

What It Means to Believe in Action.

Believing in Jesus isn’t just accepting a set of facts—it’s trusting a Person. It’s saying:

• I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

• I believe He died on the cross for my sins.

• I believe He rose again, conquering death.

• I receive His grace and forgiveness by faith, not by my own works.

  
  

This is the foundation upon which God builds His Church—and He invites you to be part of it.

Let God Be the Builder

Psalm 127 reminds us that our labor is in vain without God. Matthew 16 shows us the power of confession and revelation. Acts 2 gives us a picture of a community born not of convenience, but of conviction.

And today, in an increasingly unstable world, we need this foundation more than ever.

Let the Lord build your life. Let Him be your strength, your peace, your purpose.

And when He builds, He builds forever.