- Michael Sitko
The Ekklesia: God’s Called-Out Ambassadors for a Transformed World
In the heart of God’s redemptive plan stands the church, a divine assembly commissioned to advance His kingdom on earth. Far from a mere gathering of believers, the church is God’s Ekklesia—a term Jesus used to describe His called-out people, entrusted with authority to govern, influence, and transform societies. Through prophetic visions in Daniel, the Psalms, and the teachings of Jesus and Paul, we see a clear picture of the church’s purpose: to partner with Christ, the victorious King, in discipling nations and establishing the culture of heaven on earth. This chapter explores the church’s identity as the Ekklesia, its role as ambassadors of heaven, and its mandate to reform cultures, grounded in the triumph of Christ’s eternal kingdom.
The Church as the Ekklesia: A Governing Assembly
When Jesus declared in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” He used the Greek word Ekklesia, meaning “called-out ones.” In the Greco-Roman world, the Ekklesia was not a religious term but a political one, referring to a governing assembly of citizens who convened to address civic matters and shape the direction of their city or nation. By choosing this word, Jesus established a foundational truth about His church: it is not a passive institution but an active, authoritative body called to govern under His leadership. This moment, often referred to as the “law of first mention” in biblical interpretation, sets the stage for understanding the church’s purpose, operation, and function.
The Ekklesia is God’s council on earth, called out from the world to represent His kingdom. As Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus affirmed that this revelation would be the rock upon which His church would stand. The church’s authority is not rooted in human strength but in divine truth, enabling it to withstand the “gates of hell”—the forces of evil, death, and opposition that seek to undermine God’s plan. As the Ekklesia, believers are tasked with addressing spiritual and societal issues, shaping culture with kingdom values, and advancing God’s purposes in the world.
Imagine a council of trusted advisors summoned by a king to govern a kingdom. These advisors are not mere spectators but active decision-makers, entrusted with authority to enact the king’s will. Similarly, the church is God’s council, called to govern with His wisdom and authority, confronting strongholds and establishing justice. Reflect on this: How does viewing the church as a governing Ekklesia change your perspective on your role as a Christian? What “gates of hell” in your community—be it injustice, division, or spiritual darkness—can you confront through prayer and action as part of this divine assembly?
Dual Citizenship: Ambassadors of Heaven
The Apostle Paul expands on the church’s identity in Colossians 1:13, declaring that God “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” As believers, we are dual citizens—residents of earthly nations yet citizens of heaven, with a primary allegiance to Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ,” entrusted with representing God’s kingdom in the world. An ambassador lives in a foreign land but carries the authority and values of their homeland, advocating for its interests. Similarly, Christians are called to represent heaven’s values—love, justice, truth, and righteousness—in their cities, provinces, and nations.
This dual citizenship carries a profound responsibility. God expects His people to care for, govern, guide, lead, and influence their societies, creating a “culture of heaven” on earth. As Proverbs 11:11 states, “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.” The church’s role is not to withdraw from society but to engage it, bringing transformation through godly influence. Whether through acts of compassion, leadership in public spheres, or proclaiming the gospel, believers are to shape their communities with kingdom principles.
Picture an ambassador stationed in a foreign nation, working tirelessly to promote their homeland’s values while living among the locals. They build bridges, resolve conflicts, and advocate for peace, all while remaining loyal to their king. In the same way, Christians are heaven’s ambassadors, called to influence their surroundings while remaining rooted in Christ. Consider this: In what practical ways can you act as an ambassador of Christ in your workplace, school, or neighborhood? How can you contribute to creating a culture of heaven in your community, reflecting God’s love and truth?
Christ’s Authority and the Great Commission
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). This Great Commission is the church’s marching orders, rooted in Christ’s universal authority. The Ekklesia is not called to disciple only individuals but entire nations, transforming cultures through the gospel.
Jesus describes the church’s influence as salt, light, and leaven (Matthew 5:13-16, 13:33). Like salt, believers preserve truth and add flavor to a world prone to decay. Like light, they illuminate darkness, pointing people to God through their good works. Like leaven, their influence spreads subtly yet powerfully, transforming societies from within. This mission requires active engagement—teaching, serving, and living out Christ’s commands in a way that reshapes communities and nations.
Think of a chef preparing bread. A small pinch of yeast, though seemingly insignificant, transforms the entire dough, causing it to rise and take shape. Similarly, the church, though small in number, can transform entire nations by spreading the gospel and living out Christ’s teachings. The Great Commission is a call to action, urging believers to influence their world with kingdom values. Reflect on this: How can you personally contribute to discipling others in your sphere of influence? What does it mean to be salt and light in a world that often resists God’s truth?
The Nations as Christ’s Inheritance
Psalm 2:8 prophetically declares God’s promise to Jesus: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Since Jesus always did the Father’s will (John 5:19), we can be confident that He asked for and received the nations as His inheritance. This promise underscores the church’s mission to claim the nations for Christ through evangelism and cultural transformation. As Revelation 11:15 proclaims, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.”
The church partners with Jesus in this divine mandate, spreading the gospel to every corner of the earth. The nations belong to Christ, and the Ekklesia is tasked with bringing them under His loving rule. This is not a passive hope but an active mission, requiring prayer, action, and engagement with the world. As believers, we are called to support global missions, pray for unreached peoples, and influence our own nations with kingdom values.
Imagine a prince promised a vast kingdom by his father. To claim it, he sends trusted emissaries to govern and expand its borders. Jesus, the King, has claimed the nations, and the church, as His emissaries, is sent to bring them under His rule through love and truth. Consider this: How does knowing that Jesus owns the nations inspire you to pray for and engage in global missions? What steps can you take to support the spread of the gospel to unreached peoples?
Christ’s Victory and the Triumph of His Kingdom
The book of Daniel provides a vivid prophetic picture of Christ’s victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. In Daniel 7:13-14, the prophet sees “one like a son of man” approaching the Ancient of Days, receiving “dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.” This vision points to Jesus’ ascension after His death and resurrection, when He stood before the Father, and judgment was rendered in His favor and in favor of the saints (Daniel 7:22). The kingdom was given to Christ to rule and reign, a dominion that will never pass away.
In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue representing earthly kingdoms—Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome—is shattered by a stone “cut out by no human hand” (Daniel 2:34-35). This stone, symbolizing Christ’s kingdom, grows into a great mountain that fills the earth, illustrating the unstoppable expansion of God’s reign. These visions affirm that Christ’s kingdom surpasses all earthly powers, and the church is commissioned to advance this kingdom, spreading its influence like ripples from a stone dropped in a pond.
Picture a small pebble dropped into a calm lake. The ripples start small but spread outward, covering the entire surface. Similarly, Christ’s kingdom began with His work on the cross and grows through the church’s mission, transforming the world. Reflect on this: How does the unstoppable growth of Christ’s kingdom encourage you in times of doubt or opposition? What practical steps can you take to advance God’s kingdom in your community?
The Church’s Role in Cultural Reformation
Jesus calls the church to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16), influencing society in transformative ways. As salt, believers preserve godly values in a world prone to moral decay. As light, they shine truth in dark places, pointing people to God. As leaven, their influence spreads subtly, reshaping cultures from within. This call to cultural reformation aligns with the Ekklesia’s role to govern and guide societies, bringing heaven’s values to earth.
The church’s mission is not to retreat from the world but to engage it actively. As Jeremiah 29:7 instructs, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Christians are to lead, serve, and influence their communities, creating environments where justice, compassion, and truth flourish. This is the culture of heaven—God’s kingdom manifested on earth.
Consider a city shrouded in darkness, with polluted water and bland food. A group of citizens brings light to illuminate the streets, purifies the water, and adds flavor to the meals. Similarly, the church brings light, purity, and life to a broken world, transforming it for God’s glory. Reflect on this: Where in your community do you see a need for the church to act as salt, light, or leaven? How can you personally engage in cultural reformation through your actions, words, or influence?
Conclusion: Embracing the Call of the Ekklesia
The church, as God’s Ekklesia, is a divinely appointed assembly tasked with advancing Christ’s kingdom on earth. Rooted in Jesus’ victory (Daniel 7), His authority over the nations (Psalm 2), and the unstoppable growth of His kingdom (Daniel 2), the church is called to be ambassadors, discipling nations and reforming cultures. As dual citizens of heaven and earth, believers are to govern, guide, and influence their societies, bringing the culture of heaven to earth. The gates of hell will not prevail against this mission, for Christ’s authority guarantees its success.
Let us embrace this calling with boldness, living as ambassadors of heaven and partners in Christ’s mission. Whether through prayer, service, evangelism, or leadership, every believer has a role in advancing God’s kingdom. As you reflect on this chapter, consider: How will you live out your calling as part of the Ekklesia, advancing Christ’s kingdom in your nation and beyond? The world awaits the transformative influence of God’s called-out people—will you answer the call?