Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Christ’s Church

Ephesians 4v3-4 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit.”

Our tenth “Statement of Faith” is, “We believe in … The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers – given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.”

This statement is so important with regards to church life. We have said from the start that real belief is reflected in actual practice. So the question is, ‘Do we express this belief in the way we operate as a church?’ As I reflect, I am mindful of the following:

  • Firstly, we are the body of Christ. This biblical expression of who we are expresses both our close connection together and our relation together with Jesus. This is expressed in both our mutual love and holiness. As a believer, I belong to something that both transcends this world yet is in this world.
  • Secondly, the priesthood of all believers. No one of us is more a “priest” than the other. We all have equal access to God, equal relationship with him, and equal opportunity to engage with God on behalf of others. The “priesthood” is not exclusive to “leaders”, but it is exclusive to “believers”. As believers, we have both phenomenal privilege and mutual responsibility.
  • Thirdly, life. We have life. It is given to us. It is not of ourselves, but by the Holy Spirit. Yesterday evening, some of us watched “Breakthrough” which is based on a true story. In a real life interview, mother Joyce says she prayed over her son John as he lay dead, “Holy Spirit please come and give me back my son.” The Holy Spirit came and restored physical life. As the Holy Spirit can breathe in physical life, so he is also fully able to breathe full spiritual life into all of us – life in all its fullness. Do I need more of this Spirit-life today?
  • Finally, the enabling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to us each and to us as a whole. These gifts are for godly purposes – for worship, for evangelism and for the expression of love in different forms. Do I need more of this gifting? Do I need more faith to exercise these gifts? God, bring  glory to yourself by working through me by your Holy Spirit. It is going to require stepping out in faith. It is going to require mutual encouragement.

Lord, lead and equip Hope Community Church by your Holy Spirit, may each and every one of us be able to bring your gifts to the church family and the world.

With love and blessing,

Roland