The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 1

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

August 7, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 1

The beauty of the church is a wonder to behold.

It’s a miracle…It truly is.

Let’s begin this View From Above with what Jesus said about the church.

Scripture Focus

Matthew 16:18

“I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…”

This is the first time the word church is used in the Bible.

It has a very rich meaning and helps define what Jesus’ intention was—and still is.

Jesus was declaring what He would build after His resurrection and what He would continue building throughout the ages.

The word church comes from a Greek word referring to an assembly of people called out to gather together.

It was also used of a civic gathering of people summoned together to conduct the business of their community.

Jesus is saying that He is going to have an assembly of His own—one dedicated to advancing God’s will and purpose in our lives and throughout the world.

What a privilege.

What an honor.

What a tremendous blessing to have been birthed into His church—the living, breathing Body of Christ.

Scripture Focus

1 Corinthians 12:27

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

We are part of something so much greater than ourselves.

When I look out at the congregation, I think about how great the redemptive power of Jesus Christ truly is.

There before me is a gathering of people from every walk of life and many different backgrounds.

Some knew they were rank sinners.

Others didn’t think they were so bad.

But all eventually came to the same conclusion:

We need the saving power that is in the blood of Jesus Christ.

And we were born again.

What a miracle.

What a marvel to behold.

When we gather together, we worship.

We bow before the throne of God and declare His Lordship.

We give.

We bring an offering and present our own expression of sacrifice through the financial contributions we make to sustain the church and extend her influence.

Then comes the Word of God.

The marvelous, incomprehensible, dynamic power of God’s Word speaks into our lives.

It directs us.

It challenges us.

It reveals more of God’s glorious Person and His will for our lives.

Then it’s time for the altar.

There we make decisions based upon what we have heard, how the Word applies to our lives, and whatever God may be dealing with us about.

And then what happens?

Every time we gather together in the presence of God, we have an opportunity to be transformed, changed, and supernaturally influenced to move forward as the new—even newer—creation that God is forming in our lives.

Today’s Challenge

This Sunday, where will you be?

I’ll be gathering with other believers, anticipating the great things God is going to reveal and do in each and every one of us.

Don’t view gathering with the church as merely another event on your schedule.

Come expecting.

Come ready to worship.

Come ready to give.

Come ready to hear God’s Word.

Come ready to respond at the altar.

And come expecting Jesus Christ to continue doing exactly what He promised:

“I will build My church.”