BUILDING GOD’S CHURCH TOGETHER

Singapore turns 60 this year! What is the government’s message to Singaporeans as the nation reaches this milestone? It is this: “Let us strive to be bolder and kinder to one another; and play our part in building a stronger Singapore together.”

I believe this message can also be applied to the church. Building a nation is important, and as Christians in Singapore, we should do our part. But let us never lose sight of the more important task entrusted to us, that is building God’s church and kingdom. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33).

When Life Bible-Presbyterian Church celebrated its golden jubilee back in 2000, they published a commemorative magazine entitled “50 Years Building His Kingdom.” That was an excellent title. Under their founding pastor, the Rev Dr Timothy Tow, Life BPC had done well in building God’s kingdom from 1950 to 2000. But what about the next 50 years, if the Lord tarries? Is that good and godly heritage continuing and growing—or has it diminished?

In the early 2000s, when there was a renewed attack on the perfection of Scripture by certain American fundamentalists, the leaders of Life BPC refused to take an unequivocal stand on the 100% perfection of Scripture alongside their founding pastor. The opposition to the present perfection of Scripture—that is, its verbal and plenary preservation (Ps 12:6-7, Matt 5:18, 24:35)—and the intense pressure faced by Rev Tow for believing that “the Bible is 100% perfect without any mistake,” became so great that he felt he had no choice but to resign from Life BPC to found a new church—True Life BPC—to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).

In God’s providence, Singapore had Lee Kuan Yew, and the Bible-Presbyterian Church had Timothy Tow—whom God raised up for such a time as this—to build His church and His kingdom in view of the soon return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” (Heb 13:7).

Let us remember: the church is a divine institution, not a human invention. In Matthew 16:13-21, we find the first mention of the word “church” in the New Testament. And here, our Lord Jesus Christ declares His purpose: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18).

As we wait patiently for His return, let us strive not just to be church-goers, but church-builders. The question is: How do we do this together?

We Must Build It on the
Right Foundation

The church must base its faith on a right confession of Christ (Matt 16:13–18). That is why the Lord asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?… But whom say ye that I am?” (Matt 16:13, 15). Peter’s confession is foundational: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:16). Then the Lord declared, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18).

The church is not built on any man, but solely on Christ. The Roman Catholic Church errs in saying that the church is built on Peter. Peter was a stone (petros), but not the rock (petra). The Rock is none other than Christ Himself: “For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock [Petra] was Christ.” (1 Cor 10:4).

Thus, the church is not built upon personalities, programmes, or policies, but on a Person—Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

Intrinsic to the Person of Christ is His Word—the Holy Scriptures. It is from Scripture that we know the Gospel. As the Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, we are saved by the gospel “according to the Scriptures”—the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

For the church to be built properly, it must be built on the right foundations—Christ and the Holy Scriptures. To build faithfully, we must confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and believe without reservation that the Holy Scriptures are the forever infallible and inerrant Word of God, verbally and plenarily inspired and preserved—the sole and supreme authority for our faith and practice.

By the grace of God, we have confessed a good confession which is embedded in our constitution under Article 4 on Doctrine. But it is not enough to confess this on paper; we must confess it in practice. True confession is not merely intellectual—it is experiential.

Note what the Lord says: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18). Christ is the builder: “I will build.” It is not man’s work, though we are His co-labourers. Note also that the church belongs to Christ. He says it is “my church.” As such, the church is not ours to change or reinvent. It is His to build, lead, and govern.

As a pastor, I must be careful not to say that True Life is “my church” or “my ministry.” We are building His kingdom, His church—not ours. Power and position are not for us to grasp. They are for the Lord to grant according to His sovereign purpose and pleasure. To be appointed to build His church is a privilege, and not an entitlement.

Is Christ and His Word truly central in True Life BPC? If we are to build His church, Christ and His Word must hold supreme in our lives and in True Life. Everything—our worship service, pulpit ministry, fellowship, Bible study, prayer meetings, missions, and all other activities—must be ordered by Christ and His Word.

As Paul reminds us: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building… But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 3:9–11).

Building a church is never easy. Like any construction project, there are challenges—spiritual battles, opposition, and discouragements. But the promise stands: “The gates of hell shall not prevail.” The church may seem weak in the world’s eyes, but it is unstoppable when built on Christ.

We Must Build as Wise Stewards

Jesus said to Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” (Matt 16:19). What are these keys? They are the gospel keys—meant to open doors. To Peter was given the privilege of opening the gospel door to the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8), and the Gentiles (Acts 10).

Now that the gospel door is wide open, the church is responsible to fulfil Christ’s first commandment to His church—the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19–20).

This work of church planting and kingdom extension cannot fail, because Christ promised, “the gates of hell shall not prevail.” It is accomplished through His power and presence: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth… and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt 28:18, 20).

Thus, the keys represent Christ’s authority and the church’s stewardship. Jesus gives His church the authority to proclaim the gospel and declare His truth. This includes preaching, teaching, discipling, and shepherding God’s people.

Are we using the keys entrusted to us—to raise our families, teach our children, reach the lost, and encourage one another? Building the church involves more than merely attending services. It includes participating in fellowship, interceding for one another in prayer, supporting church ministries and missions, witnessing for Christ, and discipling others with our spiritual gifts.

As responsible stewards, we must build with sacrifice. We see this exemplified in our Saviour: “From that time forth began Jesus to shew… how that he must… suffer… and be killed…” (Matt 16:21). Building the church is not without cost. Jesus went to the cross and purchased the church with His own blood. Likewise, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him (Matt 16:24).

Are we willing to labour and sacrifice for Christ’s church? Let us not be consumers, but contributors, ready to serve even when it costs us time, money, comfort, or convenience. Who will give his life to serve the Lord full-time? “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matt 9:37–38). Will you not answer God’s call? “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isa 6:8).

The church is not a building—it is a people redeemed by Christ. And we are not called to be spectators, but fellow servants of the Lord. Let us build God’s church together with Christ as our foundation, under Christ as our Builder, using the authority Christ gives, and with the sacrifice and love of Christ.

Will you commit to building this church—not just attending, but praying, serving, giving, loving, and proclaiming Christ? Let us rise up and build God’s church—together! JK

What a Blessed Fellowship at the True Life Church Camp 2025 @ The Royale Chulan Penang