for His Church Pete Kersker - Nov 25, 2025 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:16 NIV). Jesus taught his disciples (students) that they would be his church (gathering or assembly of people in Jesus' name) (Matthew 16:18). He taught them to love one another, which would let others know we are his church (John 13:34-35). He also taught them to be thankful for his church. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you (Romans 1:8-10 NIV). The apostle (sent one) Paul especially showed us this thankfulness for Christ's church. He wrote letters to the churches in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Colossae, and Thessalonica. He told each of these churches that he gave thanks to the LORD for them. He was especially thankful that they were gathering together as Christ's church. We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV). Paul gave thanks for Christ's church because his church is different from any other gathering that has ever taken place around the world. Christ's church brings people to Jesus, which reconciles them again with God. Christ's church helps one another walk together with God. Christ's church brings hope to all people in all circumstances, so they can look forward to being with God, and their loved ones, forever. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people-- the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world--just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace (Colossians 1:3-6 NIV). Christ's church is the salt of the earth, stopping the bad and holding on to the good. Christ's church is the light of the world, showing the lost how to get home. Christ's church is the gathering where we can all be forgiven, accepted, and loved. We have many reasons, like Paul, to give thanks for Christ's church. I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way--with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge-- God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you (1 Corinthians 1:4-6 NIV). How about you? Do you give thanks to Jesus for his church? What grace (gifts) to you receive through Christ's church?