Building One Another Up — Our Journey Together
🌿 Sermon Title: Building One Another Up: Our Journey Together
👤 Speaker: Rev. Catherine Chan
📅 Date: 26 October 2025
📖 Main Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:11–15
Rev. Catherine Chan began with a reflection on the Roman Colosseum — how its strength lies not in individual stones but in their interconnected arches supported by a central keystone. In the same way, the Church stands firm when believers are connected in Christ, our true Cornerstone.
Paul’s message in 1 Thessalonians 5 calls us to live out our faith together, not in isolation. Rev. Catherine unpacked this through three key words:
🔸 1. OUR – Faith Shared
Our faith may be personal, but it was never meant to be private. We share one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:4–6).
Just as coals burn brighter together, our faith thrives in community. When one believer’s fire dims, another’s faith rekindles it.
To “encourage and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11) means mutual support — walking shoulder to shoulder in grace, love, and prayer.
We replicate God’s heart when we speak life, hope, and courage into one another’s hearts.
🔸 2. JOURNEY – With Purpose
Faith is a journey, not a solo run. Paul urged the Thessalonian church to:
Admonish the idle – lovingly guide those who lose focus.
Encourage the fainthearted – lift up the weary and discouraged.
Help the weak – stand firm and share their burdens until strength returns.
Be patient with all – choosing grace over frustration.
To journey with purpose means to love intentionally and guard intensely — protecting unity, watching over one another, and refusing to repay evil for evil.
🔸 3. TOGETHER – In Action
True love moves. It takes initiative, reaches out, and acts. Jesus said,
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
As one body, we are called to pursue good together — both within the church and beyond. Love is not just spoken but shown through action:
Welcoming new believers
Visiting the sick or homebound
Befriending those who are lonely
Supporting community outreach with compassion
Like the Roman arches, every believer has a part to play in holding one another up. When Christ is at the center, the Church remains strong, joyful, and unshakable.
“In His presence there is fullness of joy.” – Psalm 16:11
🌿 Final Encouragement
God is not looking for perfection but availability.
Let’s be His hands and feet — extending His love, carrying one another’s burdens, and shining His light together.
When we build each other up, the Church becomes a living testimony of His grace.
#ElimChurchSG #OurJourneyTogether #BuildingOneAnotherUp #LoveInAction #FaithFamily #RevCatherineChan
