“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:1-5 NKJV
God and Father of all,
Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-20 and this letter to them is a confirmation that they should all be together in faith, worship and belief. Living in unity, lowliness and gentleness as a family under You God our Father. And the same applies to us. Because we are all made One in Christ. “Oh I can be a Christian without going to church!” I have heard it said. I go now and again . . . Paul tells us that regardless of the benefits of belonging to a group of like minded people, it is Your desire that together we serve You and do what we could not do alone. And it will stand the test of time if it is built on Christ.
Paul speaks about putting on spiritual armour in chapter 6 and it is for our own good and for the good of the church. An army of one is vulnerable but the Roman Army showed what a small group working together could withstand! But only if they are united.
Church is sometimes and can be a mess because it is made up of people. But it is the safest place to be. I have found that if I have struggled to get there it has always been worth it. If I feel I am carrying heavy burdens someone is always willing to pray – or even help. Sometimes being able to help someone else has been a reward in itself. So occasionally someone annoys us or says something without thinking. So what? I am a sinner too! Help us to find a church that is our family and maybe let them know.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 15th December 2025
By faith, we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design;
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness,
Who walk by faith and not by sight.
By faith, our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand –
A place where peace and justice reign.
We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
By faith, the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death,
And rise triumphant from the grave.
By faith, the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news,
In every corner of the earth.
We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
By faith, this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail,
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name.
We will stand as children of the promise,
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward.
Till the race is finished and the work is done,
We’ll walk by faith and not by sight.
Repeat Chorus . . .
Lyrics: Stuart Townend , Keith Getty & Kristyn Getty