08/14/2026
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at The Sanctuary:
“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
—Philippians 4:1
Many enter ministry dreaming of influence, recognition, and a great name. Even the language of faithfulness can sometimes conceal that ambition: If I am faithful with a little, perhaps God will give me more. But what if the “little” He has entrusted to us is itself a precious gift to be loved rather than merely a stepping-stone to something larger?
I can testify that God has done an unexpected work in me. By nature, I was certainly self-centered in my youth. Yet He has taught me to love the sheep He has entrusted to my care. That change is not something I produced in myself. It is personal evidence of the truth and transforming power of the gospel. Christ does not merely forgive sinners; He changes them.
God has also repeatedly made the Scriptures I am studying the proving ground of my own life. While preaching through James, there were trials. While preaching through Ephesians, there were spiritual battles. Now, as we come to Philippians 4:1, I believe the Holy Spirit has helped me understand something more deeply about the joy awaiting us in heaven.
I think about our simple gatherings as a church family—not only our Sunday worship, but the time spent together in my home, our midweek gatherings, supporting some of the children at their school events, sharing meals, bearing burdens, and opening our lives to one another. In those ordinary moments, I have realized how deeply I love you.
One day we will be gathered in the fullness of God’s presence. Christ will be before us in unveiled glory, sin will be no more, and our fellowship with one another will be perfectly whole. I will rejoice not merely because I am in heaven, but because I will be there with saints whom the Lord taught me to love here.
I am not greatly concerned with whether God ever gives me a larger ministry. I treasure this small and intimate corner of my Lord’s pasture and the flock He has entrusted to me. It is my privilege to know you, to love you, to pray for you, to teach you the Word, and, when necessary, to sacrifice for your good.
But this love must not belong only to the pastor. It is the calling of the whole church. Let us love one another deeply. Let us open our homes and our lives. Let us bear one another’s burdens, rejoice in one another’s blessings, forgive one another’s offenses, and stand firm together in the Lord.
Let us continue building—not upon personalities, ambitions, programs, or human glory, but upon the foundation already laid: the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You are dearly loved. You are my joy and crown. And I thank God for the privilege of walking with you toward glory.
-Pastor Jesús
