The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 6

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

August 12, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 6

The beauty of the church is a wonder to behold.

It’s a miracle, it truly is.

Here is a definitive statement about the church that Jesus said He is building:

Scripture Focus

Ephesians 1:22–23 (AMP)

“And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as [supreme and authoritative] head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers].”

The church is not merely a human organization.

It is a spiritual, supernatural extension of Jesus Himself—so much so that Scripture refers to the church as His body.

A body is for expression.

Jesus expresses Himself to the world through His body, the church.

How, then, can we treat the church as arbitrary or secondary?

How can we dismiss her when, as we gather together, we are the Body of Christ through which Jesus expresses His love and His saving, healing, and delivering power?

When visitors enter the sanctuary where the church is gathered, they know something is different.

I’ve heard so many people say something to that effect over the years.

The supreme power of Jesus Christ is exercised specifically for the benefit and care of His people.

When we gather, He is there in the midst of our worship and praise.

As we lift holy hands to the Lord, He is glorified and exalted.

His name—the name above every name—is honored.

And it is there that He reveals the fullness of His mighty power.

Believers together make up the Body through which Christ expresses His life, love, and purpose.

He chooses to work through His people.

The More We Gather, the Better

Prioritizing the faithful assembling together with other believers in your local church is one of the best decisions you can make.

Organizing your life around this priority is what is best for you and your family.

When we have an opportunity to gather and choose not to, we can miss an aspect of God’s manifest power that was available for us to experience in that moment.

That’s worth serious consideration.

Church isn’t simply another activity competing for a place on our calendar.

We are gathering as the Body of Christ.

Jesus is the Head.

We are His Body.

And He desires to express Himself through His people.

Today’s Challenge

Take time today to consider how you personally relate to your local church.

Where does gathering with God’s people rank among the priorities of your life?

Does your schedule reflect the importance Scripture gives to the church?

Perhaps some adjustments need to be made.

Give faithful church attendance its proper place of priority.

Gather with expectation.

Worship with God’s people.

Serve alongside them.

Allow Jesus to work in you—and allow Him to work through you.

The church is His Body, and what a privilege it is to be part of what Jesus Christ is building.