Theme 2026 - Walk Worthy of His Calling - By Alex Afriyie

 

Introduction:

In this world of confusion where good is called evil and evil is called good; I believe God is speaking to us as a church to walk worthy of His calling in 2026.

In Ephesians 4:1 Paul speaks of being a prisoner for the Lord. He said this in the context of being in a physical prison because of his commitment to preaching the gospel that “Jesus is Lord” in the Roman empire which proclaimed, “Caesar is Lord”. In the same way we need to be so committed to Jesus that even if it means standing against the flow of political correctness and popularity, we choose to share that “Jesus is Lord and Saviour”.

There are three ways we can walk worthy of Jesus in 2026 that Paul brings out in Ephesians 4:

1)      Being Jesus Centred (Ephesians 4: 1 – 6):

This year I believe we will need to live as Jesus lived in radical obedience to God. This will stand in contrast to the compromise of the world.

Paul says our unity depends on being in intimate relationship with Jesus. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of us all (Eph. 4:4-5). If we want true unity, it is only as we relate to Jesus that we can be united to each other. We cannot be united in compromise. There is no true unity without Christ. He died for us and broke down the walls of division between us and the Father and between each other so we can be one (Eph. 2:14-18). The only way that we can access true peace is by following the teachings of the “Prince of Peace” and by having His peace in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 9:6). We are called to maintain the unity of the Spirit through Jesus, who is the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3).

Practically to do this in 2026 we will need to take time in prayer to participate with Jesus by His Spirit. Do you run from personal prayer and prayer meetings, or do you make time available to pray? Martin Luther has been reported as saying, "I am so busy now, that I cannot afford not to spend three hours a day in prayer." 

“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth² and all these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 8: 1- 2). There is something powerful about aligning with the voice of Yahweh that sets our hearts and minds in the right place with God and causes us to obey Him resulting in being in His flow of blessing.

2) Being An Anointed Community With Purpose (Ephesians 4:7,11-13)

I believe we need to radically represent our diverse triune God by collaborating with all the multifaceted gifts, ministries and personalities he has placed within His body. It does not glorify Him when we compete, we need to collaborate with each other by completing what lacks in each other. It would be ridiculous for a hand to compete with a foot in the same body. No, each should play their role as a member of the one body taking instructions from the head. That way we are all equipped for our purpose as we go into the world. God has put the 5 fold ministry there to help us be fully equipped for ministry in the world and church (Ephesians 4: 11-12).

This is a year to really dedicate ourselves to using the spiritual gifts and ministries we have been given. These may be very different to each other. God loves the diversity of His Kingdom Family and the diversity of gifts that He has given them. Some of the gifts may seem ordinary to those who have them, but they are a supernatural answer to those who need them or are praying for them. Will you seek God in 2026 to understand the exact gifts or ministries God wants you to move in this year (1 Corinthians 14:1)? And then will you be obedient to move in them as a good steward (1 Peter 4:10)?

As you do your part the whole body will be built up, become more like Christ and grow in love (Ephesians 4: 12-13, 16). Will you step back or step forward and take action with your gift this year. Daniel 1:32 says, ‘the people who know their God will be strong and take action.’ When we hide our light then we don’t shine out what God has given us for others. They are left in the dark and we are left unfulfilled. Patrick Lenciono said, “Avoiding discomfort doesn’t build trust. Going through it together does.” True community goes through the good times and bad times together and keeps on forgiving and serving. This way we equip each other to move forward in God’s purpose for us in the church and the world (Ephesians 4: 11-12).

3) Being A Mission Community – Speaking Truth In Love In A Confused World (Ephesians 4: 15)

I believe God wants us to prioritise time and space in our diaries to make radical disciples of Christ this year. After all this is part of the great commission (Matthew 28:19).

There is such a hunger in the UK for God right now, especially in the younger generation of millennials and Gen Zs. The Quiet revival report shows that “In 2018, just 4% of 18–24-year-olds said they attended church at least monthly. Today this has risen to 16%, with young men increasing from 4% to 21%, and young women from 3% to 12%”. (Riannon McAleer and Rob Barward-Symmons, The Quiet Revival, p.6) The report goes on to say, “…a large number of young adults now appear to be looking towards the Church as a space for finding healing and community as well as a deeper sense of meaning in their life.” (Riannon McAleer and Rob Barward-Symmons, The Quiet Revival, p.21)

I believe God wants us to boldly live and speak “The Truth” so that as we meet people they can clearly know how to be saved and delivered (Romans 1:16). As a church we need to tell the story of God’s love and truth in our postmodern world of subjective truth; where everyone thinks their own truth is the truth. As people see us living out “the truth in love” they will be attracted to live like Jesus too. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:35)

Let’s continue to love God by loving our families, one another and our neighbour by speaking the truth to them. It’s the truth that brings transformation and sets people free. So, let’s be intentional in our discipleship of new believers by making time this year to welcome them, love them and share the truth through discipleship.

As God’s radical truth is displayed and spoken by us as a church it will pierce through society’s deception and people’s despair; and give hope to society that there really is an answer in Jesus – “The Way, The Truth, and The Life”. Let’s walk worthy of Jesus’ calling to us this year.

hhhhhidfWalking Worthy