25-332 — The Church Outside the Walls

Today we’re talking about something the modern church desperately needs to remember:The Church didn’t start inside a building…And it was never meant to stay in one.Jesus healed in the streets.He preached on mountainsides.He discipled on footpaths.He ministered in homes.He broke bread at tables.He cast out demons in graveyards.He delivered truth in marketplaces.Almost 90% of Jesus’ ministry happened outside what we would call “church.”So why do we sometimes act like following Jesus only counts when we’re in a sanctuary?Brother… listen:Church is not where you go —Church is who you are.And when that truth clicks…Your entire life becomes a mission field.📜 OUR SPRINGBOARD FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSION IS:Acts 5:42 (ESV)“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”📖 TEACHINGThe early church lived on two fronts:* In the temple – gathered worship* From house to house – everyday faithThat means church was never meant to be condensed into a weekly event.It was always meant to be:* Movement* Mission* Community* Action* Conversation* Hospitality* Prayer* Discipleship* Witness* FamilyWe’ve got it backwards sometimes.We try to bring people to church…When Jesus told us to bring the church to people.Your living room is a sanctuary.Your dinner table is an altar.Your workplace is a mission field.Your neighborhood is a territory.Your conversations are sermons.Your kindness is evangelism.Your obedience is worship.We don’t wait for people to show up.We show up.That’s the heartbeat of Jesus.Warriors… you know my story.For years I thought “ministry” meant doing things in an official setting — inside a church, under a title, within a program.But God broke that mindset in a very real way when my life began to unravel.In that season — when I felt unqualified, unseen, unsure — God didn’t call me back to a platform first.He called me back to people.He whispered to me:“Matthew… ministry starts at home.Ministry starts at the table.Ministry starts with the one right in front of you.”And that whisper changed everything.Michelle and I have seen more life change across kitchen tables and quiet conversations than any stage could ever produce.Some of the most powerful moments with God in our family didn’t happen at church.They happened:* In our living room* In moments of crisis* In conversations with our children* In battles we fought together* In testimonies shared around the house* In prayers whispered late at nightYou want to know where revival starts?Not in a building.In a heart.In a home.In a family.In a moment of obedience that no one else sees.When you begin to live as the Church — not just attend one — the power of God ignites your life in ways you never imagined.🛠️ LIVING APPLICATIONIf you want to live as the Church outside the walls:* Start ministering where you already are.Don’t wait for a platform. God uses proximity.* Let your home become a place of prayer and peace.* Invite someone over — spiritual growth begins with fellowship.* Treat everyday moments as Kingdom assignments.* Remember: you are the Church everywhere you go.📅 DAILY ACTIONDo one act of ministry today outside of church:* Pray for someone* Encourage a cashier* Bless a neighbor* Call someone who’s strugglingDo it intentionally.🏋️ PRACTICEAsk the Holy Spirit:“Where do You want me to bring the Church today?”Write down the answer and obey it.⚔️ CHALLENGE OF THE WEEKDeclare this:“I don’t go to church — I am the Church.”🙏 PRAYERFather, open my eyes to see the mission field right in front of me.Break every mindset that limits Your Church to a building or a Sunday morning.Make my home a sanctuary.Make my conversations divine appointments.Make my life a living testimony of Your power.Use me wherever I step — because wherever I go, the Church goes with me.In Jesus’ name — amen.⚡ Let’s Get To WorkThanks for reading My Reasons To Believe! This post is public so feel free to share it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe