Let's BE Church

Jesus told His disciples, “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33, CSB). In other words, He has already defeated everything that could ultimately harm us—sin, death, and the powers of darkness. The cross and the empty tomb prove that nothing in this world has the final word over those who belong to Him. That’s why we can face hardships with courage: the victory has already been won in Christ.

But that doesn’t mean life is easy. Christians also go through difficult times—sometimes very difficult times. Following Jesus doesn’t take away sickness, loneliness, family challenges, unemployment, or financial challenges. In fact, He told us to expect trials. Yet it’s in those very moments of weakness that we are invited to come closer to Him, not pull away. When we draw near to Christ in prayer, in His Word, and in fellowship with His people, we discover that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

The temptation in suffering is often to isolate ourselves—to step back from God or from the church. But friend, those are the very moments when you need Jesus and His people the most. He never promised a life without storms, but He did promise His presence in the middle of them. And He often shows that presence through the hands, prayers, and voices of His church.

This is where the beauty of the church comes in. Church is not just a place we attend on Sunday—it’s who we are together. God designed His people to walk side by side, carrying one another’s burdens, praying for one another, and pointing one another back to His promises. When we live this way, we truly BE church.

That’s why we encourage each other so often to be a blessing to someone. A kind word, a listening ear, or a helping hand can be God’s way of bringing His comfort and strength to another believer. When one of us is weak, the rest of us step in. When one of us is down, the rest of us lift them up. This is how Christ’s love becomes visible in His people.

So let’s keep living it out, friends. Let’s BE church. Let’s walk together in life, in joy and in hardship. Together, we are stronger. And together, we experience the power and comfort of the One who has already conquered the world.

In Christ,

Pastor Sam