Bethany – Together as one now and always

August 28, 2015

Celebrating 40+2 Years Together As A Family Of God

Bethany celebrates more than just a special occasion this Sunday. We celebrate what it means to stay together as a family of God for the last 42 years. This is possible because we feel a deep sense of belonging to the household of God. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2 of a time when Gentiles were “strangers and foreigners” to the Lord’s family. However, He reconciled both Jew and Gentile to Himself in one body through the cross (Ephesians 2:16). Now through faith in Christ, we, the Gentiles, have become members of the household of God.

“But fellow-citizens with the saints and members of the household of God …”

Ephesians 2:19

We have citizenship in the kingdom of God. We are part of His family. Let’s thank God for His great mercy and love that we belong to His great household and for the strong spiritual family ties that we can have at Bethany. Let’s thank God that we could be together as a family these 40+2 years.

Built On The Foundation Of The Lord Jesus And The Word

“… Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone …”

Ephesians 2:20

In order to keep a building strong and intact, there is a need for a strong foundation. This foundation that the Church is built on is the word of God. The chief cornerstone is the Lord Jesus and His teaching (Gospels). The cornerstone is used to guide the rest of the foundation that is to be laid. The prophets represent the Old Testament writings and the apostles represent the epistles. Together with the Lord, they form a solid foundation of the truth of God’s word. The teachings of the Lord Jesus must be seen in the light of the Old Testament and the epistles. As we look back 40+2 years, we see how Bethany has been built on the solid truths of the word of God. Young people, let’s make sure we would continue to build Bethany on the firm truths of God’s word.

In The Person Of The Lord Jesus

What is it that would bring the whole building together? It is in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

  1. Being Fitted Together To Help Each Other Grow

“… In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord …”

Ephesians 2:21

When we have faith in the Lord Jesus and His word, we are brought together as one. It is the Lord Jesus who helps us to be fitted together as a whole building. When we can bond and fit together as a Church, we can help each other grow further to be that “holy temple” that we are meant to be in the Lord. We are meant to bond together as one and to help each other grow.

  1. Being Built Together For God

“… In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:22

We are also being built up together in the Lord Jesus as a place where God can dwell in. In the Old Testament, the glory of the Lord’s presence resided in the temple of God (1 Kings 8:10-11). Today, the Lord God now resides among His people. The challenge is to be built up together as a place when God would dwell within us in the Spirit. Bethany is meant to be a habitation of the Lord. Let’s be that Church where God would continue to dwell in and lives would be touched by Him.

 

Have a blessed 40+2 Anniversary!!!

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