Pastor Mark Dever recounted a moment while sitting in a dimly lit church in Alexandria, Egypt. The congregants, many elderly, gathered with quiet determination etched on their faces. In a city where Christianity offers no social perks and persecution is a daily reality, their steadfastness radiated a beauty words fail to capture. Observing them, Dever couldn’t help but wonder: Where do they find such confidence?

This question isn’t unique to the persecuted. It resonates deeply with all believers. When life is filled with challenges—whether in the form of trials, disappointments, or discouragement—what keeps us from losing heart? Where does our strength come from when the world around us falters?

According to Dever, the answer lies in the unshakable beauty of the gospel and the transformative power of God’s community. In the gospel, we find our foundation; in the community of believers, we experience the sustaining grace of God that encourages us to endure.

The Beauty of the Gospel

The apostle Paul, writing to the Ephesians from prison, addresses this very question. Knowing that his imprisonment might cause the young Christians to falter, he encourages them not to lose heart. How? By pointing them to the unsearchable riches of Christ.

The gospel is not just a helpful message or a comforting idea—it is the declaration of God’s eternal plan, now revealed through Christ. This mystery, hidden for ages, has been made known: all people—Jew and Gentile alike—are invited to share in the blessings of God’s kingdom. This includes forgiveness of sins, adoption into God’s family, and bold access to the Creator of all things.

For individuals, these unsearchable riches of Christ are life-changing. In the gospel, we find forgiveness for our sins, reconciliation with God, power over sin, and the hope of eternal life. This is the “good news” that Paul preached—an inexhaustible treasure of grace and mercy that continues to reveal itself to us over time. As Paul describes in Romans, the depth of God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are beyond tracing out. And yet, these riches are not out of reach; they are freely given through faith in Christ.

Paul’s own life demonstrated the transformative power of this message. Once a persecutor of the church, he was brought into God’s eternal plan to make plain the mystery of salvation to the Gentiles. Even bound in chains, Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel, confident that no circumstance—imprisonment, suffering, or persecution—could thwart God’s purposes. The same is true for us today: whatever trials we face, the gospel remains our anchor and our source of unshakable hope.

The Beauty of His Community

But Paul doesn’t stop with the gospel’s individual implications. He points to the church as the visible demonstration of God’s wisdom. In Ephesians 3:10, he declares that through the church, God’s manifold wisdom is made known—not just to the world, but to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

The church is not an afterthought in God’s plan. It is central to His purposes. By uniting people from diverse backgrounds into one body, the church becomes a living display of God’s reconciling power. It reflects His holiness, unity, and love in ways that no individual can achieve alone.

This is why being part of a local church matters so much. In the church, we are reminded that we are not alone. We share in the joys and burdens of life together, spurring one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). It is in this context that we find the encouragement to endure, to persevere in faith, and to grow in Christlikeness.

Paul’s call for the Ephesians not to lose heart wasn’t just about their personal struggles; it was about their shared identity as members of God’s family. Together, they were to reflect the glory of the gospel to a watching world.

Endurance Through the Gospel and Community

So how do we, as believers, endure when faced with hardship? Paul offers four observations that remain as relevant today as they were in the first century:

1. God’s Message is Unstoppable.

Paul’s imprisonment could stop him, but it could never stop the message of the gospel. The same is true for us. Our trials, though real, cannot hinder God’s purposes. His Word will continue to spread, and His kingdom will continue to grow, no matter what obstacles arise.

2. God’s Plans Cannot Be Derailed.

Our circumstances may change, but God’s eternal purposes remain firm. Paul reminded the Ephesians that their faith was part of a mystery planned by God before the foundation of the world. Even when life feels chaotic, we can trust that God is working all things for His glory and our good.

3. God’s Wisdom is on Display.

Through the church, God’s manifold wisdom is revealed. This wisdom isn’t a cold, calculated strategy—it’s a beautiful, multifaceted display of His grace and power. When we commit to our local churches, we participate in this divine display, showing the world what God’s love looks like in action.

4. God’s Presence is Our Confidence.

Ultimately, our confidence doesn’t come from our own strength or abilities but from God Himself. Through Christ, we have bold access to God, who promises never to leave us or forsake us. This assurance allows us to approach life with courage, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

Take heart in this truth: the gospel gives us an unshakable foundation, and the church provides a community of encouragement to help us endure. Together, they reveal the beauty of God’s plan—a plan that cannot fail. As we look to the gospel and live out its truth in community, we will find that our confidence is not misplaced. For the God who calls us is faithful, and His purposes will prevail.