Podcast Summary: "Growing in Love for the Church"

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Date: January 6, 2026

Overview

In this episode of Things Unseen, Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the spiritual significance of gathering as the church, emphasizing the importance of loving the church family and celebrating God's redeeming work. Ferguson draws from a memorable New Year’s experience early in his ministry and explores how hymns and communal worship forge deeper connections among believers. This devotional encourages listeners to renew their love for the church and live out spiritual unity in the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Impact of Communal Worship

• Sinclair recalls preaching at a Methodist New Year service as a student and being deeply moved by the congregation joining in a personal covenant after the sermon.
• He discusses acquiring the Methodist Hymn Book, noting its practical value in recalling hymns and its lasting personal significance.
  • "The Methodist Hymn Book not only had the first line of a hymn, it had the first line of every verse of a hymn, which meant when I could remember how the third verse began but couldn't remember what hymn it came from, I went straight for the Methodist Hymnbook to help me." (01:00)

The Power of Charles Wesley's Hymn

• Ferguson highlights the historical context of Charles Wesley’s hymn, traditionally sung at Methodist societies’ annual meetings to praise God for blessings received.
• The hymn begins, “And are we yet alive and see each other's face? Glory and praise to Jesus give for his redeeming grace.” (02:10)
• He invites listeners to consider whether they feel such gratitude and unity each time they gather with their church family, not just at the New Year but weekly.

Spiritual Unity and the Nature of the Church

• Ferguson reflects on the reality that Christians often live separate, individual lives—quoting Paul from 1 Corinthians 2 about individuality.
• Yet, by coming to faith in Christ, believers are not merely connected to Jesus but also intimately bound to one another as a family:
  • "As the shepherd calls his sheep to come to him, they come nearer to each other. They're bound together in love, bound together in grace." (03:20)
• He shares a colleague’s description of the church as “the worldwide, eternity-long family of God” (04:00), emphasizing a unity that transcends geography and time.

Encouragement for the New Year

• Ferguson expresses his hope that listeners will commit to growing in love for the church throughout the year.
• He encourages admiration for God’s goodness, reflecting Wesley's hymn both personally and communally.

Reflection on Life’s Challenges and God’s Sustaining Grace

• He quotes additional verses from Wesley’s hymn, which reflect on past struggles and God’s deliverance:
  • “What troubles have we seen? What conflicts have we passed? Fightings without and fears within, since we assembled last? But out of all the Lord hath brought us by his love and still he doth his help afford and hides our life above.” (05:00)
• Ferguson calls listeners to make their "boast of his redeeming power which saves us to the uttermost Till we can sin no more."

Final Thoughts: Purpose in Perseverance

• The episode concludes with an exhortation to perseverance and Christ-centered living:
  • “Let's take up the cross till we the crown obtain and gladly reckon all things loss, so we may Jesus gain.” (06:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Methodist Hymn Book:
  “I was so struck by the words that we were singing that sometime later I bought a copy and found a bonus that has lasted all through my life.” (00:40)

• On the Family of God:
  “It's true, isn't it, that you feel nearer to fellow believers who may be a thousand miles away from you, than you often do to the people who are standing next to you. And that's because we belong to a family... the worldwide, eternity long family of God.” (03:40)

• On Persevering Together:
  “But out of all the Lord hath brought us by his love and still he doth his help afford and hides our life above.” (05:20)

• On Renewing Love for the Church:
  “I hope, therefore, that this new year will be one in which you and I will grow in love for the church...” (04:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 — Introduction; Recalling the New Year’s service and personal covenant
• 01:00 — Discovering the Methodist Hymn Book and its significance
• 02:10 — Charles Wesley’s hymn and its communal impact
• 03:20 — The individual and communal dimensions of faith
• 04:00 — Unity as the worldwide, eternity-long family of God
• 05:00 — Quoting Wesley: Remembering past trials and God’s sustaining grace
• 06:00 — Final exhortation: Taking up the cross and persevering

Tone & Language

The episode is reflective, gentle, and pastoral—filled with genuine warmth and encouragement. Ferguson’s tone is invitational, drawing listeners into deeper love for the church and for Christ, and urging spiritual attentiveness as the year unfolds. The language mirrors the devotional style, with references to hymnody and scriptural wisdom woven throughout.

For listeners and readers alike, this episode offers a rich reflection on the joy and responsibility of belonging to Christ’s body, encouraging renewed affection for the church and trust in God’s sustaining grace.