isn’t she beautiful? meaning and community happen not as we rally around some alien, but as we...

ISN’T SHE BEAUTIFUL?

Meaning and community happen not as we rally around some alien, but as we rally around the One “who has come close,” (John 1:14) – Jesus the Christ, Savior of the World.

As we gather around Jesus, we’re loved by Jesus, becoming His very bride, as Jesus makes us “…holy -- cleansing [us] by the washing with water through the word…

[presenting us] ….as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish…” (Ephesians 5:25-27, emphasis

added)

“To him, [to Jesus] who is able to keep you from falling -- and to present you before his presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ…now and forever more. (Jude 24, 25).

“…To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 3:20-21, emphasis added).

I will build my church, “…and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” (Matthew 16:18, ESV)

Or more literally “… (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]…” (Matthew 16:18, The Amplified Bible.)