Welcome to The Church Within You! I’m Elder Hayes, and I’m glad to have you join me.
The church within you means that the true church is not a physical building or an institution, but rather the spiritual body of believers, and is inhabited by the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that individual followers of Jesus Christ, rather than man-made structures, constitute God’s living temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) states: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” This verse emphasizes that believers’ bodies belong to God and house the Holy Spirit, urging them to honor God in their bodies.
You are the church, the church is a gathered people, composed of believers in whom God dwells. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit: living stones, believers are built into a spiritual house, with the Holy Spirit residing within them.
I recall a Bishop once saying, in reference to the brick-and-mortar: “This is a building; when we stepped inside, this old building became ‘The Church where the Spirit of God dwells.’ Because the Spirit of God dwells within you! Therefore, it is ‘The Church!’ If we put it up for sale? Overnight, they will take up the pews and replace them with tables, chairs, and poles, and call it a bar! Or convert it into condominiums for a developer to sell. That is why it is for you to know, His Spirit dwells within you.”
I truly can’t say he was incorrect regarding the building. When the church was sold, we relocated. This same Church where I received the blessings of the Spirit of God tarrying at the altar, where I sang in the choir, worked on the Usher’s Board, provided food for the hungry, was appointed a Deaconess, a Missionary, an Evangelist, and ordained into the Ministry, was married, and had his homegoing service. We thought the buyer would keep it as it was. Today, it is home to condominiums.
The Book of Hebrews 10:25 (KJV), the Word of God says this: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We are to gather together, oh, how wonderful it is for the children of God to come together in Worship and Praise.
Romans 8:11 States that the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus dwells in believers, bringing life to their mortal bodies.
1 Corinthians 3:16 & 6:19: Describe believers as the “temple of God” and their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that they are not their own.
2 Timothy 1:14: Encourages guarding the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within.
These passages emphasize the active, indwelling presence of the Spirit of guidance and sanctification.
In essence, it encourages a shift from viewing faith as the destination to viewing it as an eternal, living reality that accompanies a believer everywhere.
Be the church: this phrase encourages Christians to bring their faith into daily life, work, home, and community rather than limiting church to Sunday attendance.
Kingdom perspective: often we lay it to Luke 17:21: “The Kingdom of God is within you,” which implies that God’s reign is a transformation of the heart rather than just an external or future event. Functional body of Christ: it serves as a reminder to act as Christ’s hands and feet, and is embodied in bearing His teachings through love and service in the world.
The statement that the Kingdom of God is within you has challenged Bible translators and interpreters for centuries, and many explanations have been given.
The Greek proposition within can also mean among in the midst of, Jesus was saying, don’t look for the Kingdom out there unless it is first in your own heart. See Romans 14:17 (NKJV): “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” It emphasizes that true faith is defined by spiritual character—righteousness, peace, and joy—rather than adherence to external rules or dietary restrictions. At the same time, He may also have been saying that the fact that I am here in your midst is what is important, but I am the King.
How can you enter the Kingdom if you reject the King? See Luke chapter 19, verses 38 to 40 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Matt. 24:22
And unless those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD”! Cry loud and spare not, tell of His goodness, His mercy, His grace, and His many benefits! The day of His return is closer than we think.
This is Elder Hayes. I welcome you to leave a comment or a testimony of the Goodness of God. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to pray for one and all in Jesus Holy Name. Once again, I thank you for listening to The Church Within You Podcast. Remember, the Thirty Minutes of Prayer is held on Friday evenings from 7 PM to 7:30 PM, and the Intercessory Power-Hour of Prayer every Saturday at 2 PM Sharp!
The Church Within You! 