In a world full of powerful influences, only one kingdom truly satisfies. Discover why gathering as the church matters and how letting Christ define our identity reshapes the rhythm of our lives.

As we continue looking ahead to where God is leading us this year, our focus remains clear: we want Him to be Lord over the rhythm of our lives.

We began by talking about the rhythm of the soul—learning to live aware of God in this time and in this place. Then we moved into the rhythm of the family—building homes where faith isn’t an accessory but a foundation.

Now we turn to something just as important: the rhythm of the church.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “as a church.” We say it often. As a church, we believe this. As a church, we do that. But what does that really mean?

For many people, Christianity feels purely personal—something private between you and God. And yes, faith is deeply personal. But it is never meant to be private or isolated.

Because we were not built to live as individuals alone.

How We’re Wired

Human beings live in at least three ways:

1. As individuals
2. As small groups (friends, families, close relationships)
3. As part of a larger group

We understand the first two easily. But the third one—the large group—often shapes us more than we realize.

We all identify with something bigger than ourselves. A nation. A generation. A political movement. A cultural tribe. A cause. These large groups influence how we think, what we value, and how we interpret the world.

And here’s the question:
Does the mass group shape you, or do you shape it?

If we’re honest, the larger group usually shapes us far more than we shape it.

That’s why this matters spiritually.

The Kingdom We Were Built For

Throughout Scripture, God speaks not only to individuals but to a people—a kingdom. Jesus didn’t just preach personal improvement; He proclaimed the kingdom of God. The apostles didn’t write letters to isolated believers; they wrote to churches.

We were built with a longing for something bigger—for belonging, for purpose, for what feels like heaven. That longing drives us to attach ourselves to large groups that promise the “good life.”

But here’s the truth:
The only large group built to satisfy that longing is the kingdom of God.

When we say “as a church,” we are saying that our primary identity is not political, generational, or cultural. It is kingdom.

Jesus is King. Not culture. Not ideology. Not popularity. Not preference.

And unlike every other mass movement, His kingdom is not driven by power or pressure. It is a willing surrender to a good and loving King.

Learning From King Josiah

In 2 Kings 23, King Josiah gathers the entire nation and renews their covenant with the Lord. They had drifted. False gods and false practices had made their way into the temple. The culture had crept into worship.

So what did Josiah do?
He removed what didn’t belong.

He tore down idols. He cleared out compromise. He restored worship.

The lesson is simple: God’s people must continually examine what has crept into their identity.

The same is true today. Ideas, cultural pressures, political loyalties, and social narratives constantly push their way into the church. If we aren’t careful, they begin to shape us more than Scripture does.

But the kingdom of God is not defined by the world.
It is defined by God.

And Jesus allows no rival.

Why Gathering Matters

We are built to worship together.

Think about it. We love big moments—championship games, concerts, theaters packed with people. There’s something powerful about experiencing something as a crowd. That’s not accidental. God wired us that way.

But those moments don’t last. They stir emotion, not eternity.

We were designed to gather and worship the One who actually satisfies our longing.

That’s what the church is for. Not as an organization to admire, but as a gathering—what the New Testament calls the ekklesia—the called-out ones who assemble to seek God together.

We gather:

• To remind one another who is King
• To root out false influences
• To define truth together
• To worship the Lord
• To taste a glimpse of heaven

When we gather, we are practicing eternity.

A Challenging Question

So here’s the honest question:

What large group is shaping you most right now?

Is it the kingdom of God?
Or is it something else?

If your primary identity is found somewhere other than Christ’s kingdom, growth will always feel like a tug-of-war. The world’s mass groups spend billions to shape your thinking. They are loud, constant, and persuasive.

But only one King offers real life.

The good life is not found in an election, a movement, a generation, or a cultural wave.
It is found in a person.

And His name is Jesus.



So when we say “as a church,” we’re saying something profound.

We are choosing together to live under His lordship.
We are choosing together to worship Him alone.
We are choosing together to let His kingdom shape our rhythm.

Because that is what we were built for.