From Glory to Glory: How to Grow Continually in Your Faith

Based on the message for the service on 17 August 2025, by Ian Beresford

Some of us remember the old Sunday school songs and hymns that shaped our early faith. One hymn that comes to mind is “Love’s Excelling,” which ends with the words:

"Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, lost in wonder, love, and praise."

Those words remind us that spiritual growth isn’t a one-time event—it’s a lifelong journey. Even after decades of walking with Christ, there are still rough edges to be smoothed, hearts to be transformed, and faith to deepen. God hasn’t finished with us yet, and that’s an encouragement, not a critique.

Turn Your Face Toward the Source

I was cycling through fields of sunflowers in France recently. Every single sunflower was facing the sun. And as it basked in the light and warmth, it grew taller and stronger. Faith works the same way: we grow spiritually not by looking at others or relying on our own strength, but by turning our hearts toward God and soaking in His presence.

Growth happens when we fix our eyes on the source of life, the Son of God, and allow His light to shape us from the inside out.

The Trinity and Your Growth

2 Corinthians 13:14 says:

"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

This verse reminds us that growth in faith comes from the full embrace of God in His threefold presence:

  1. The Grace of Jesus – God’s unearned favor and love are poured out freely. We don’t have to earn His acceptance or stack up our good deeds to gain His blessing. Jesus covers our imperfections and takes the burden off our shoulders, inviting us to rest in His unmerited favor.

  2. The Love of God the Father – His love is overflowing, passionate, and personal. Like milk overflowing from a jug, it cannot be contained or measured. No matter your situation or past mistakes, God loves you beyond measure, inviting you to bask in His affection.

  3. The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit – God’s Spirit lives within us, bringing comfort, counsel, and guidance. Even in grief, hardship, or uncertainty, the Spirit brings peace and wisdom that surpasses understanding. Growth comes as we cultivate intimacy with the Spirit, learning to walk in His friendship and guidance daily.

Growth is for Everyone

Notice that Paul doesn’t reserve this blessing for the mature or the perfect. Even in the messy, dysfunctional church of Corinth, he pronounces this benediction for all: grace, love, and fellowship are available to every believer, regardless of where you are in your faith journey.

Faith grows when we stop striving in our own strength, comparing ourselves to others, or trying to do it alone. Spiritual growth happens as we turn fully to God and allow Him to work in us from glory to glory.

Practical Steps to Grow Continually in Your Faith

Here are some simple ways you can put this into practice in your everyday life:

  1. Spend Daily Time with God – Read Scripture, pray, and reflect. Like a sunflower facing the sun, consistently turning your heart to God will help you grow.

  2. Rest in Grace, Not Effort – Accept God’s love and forgiveness without trying to earn it. Growth is about God working in you, not your own striving.

  3. Embrace the Holy Spirit – Invite the Spirit into your decisions, struggles, and joys. Listen for His guidance and allow Him to bring peace and wisdom.

  4. Practice Love and Fellowship – Engage with others in your church and community. Sharing your faith journey encourages both you and those around you.

  5. Reflect and Celebrate Growth – Look back and see where God has been at work in your life. Celebrate small changes and moments of transformation—they are signs of “glory to glory” growth.

Growth in faith isn’t about perfection—it’s about being open, receptive, and willing to let God shape your heart. Turn your face toward Him, bask in His grace, love, and fellowship, and watch your life grow continually from glory to glory.

Full service and sermon from 17 August 2025 below:
 

Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 


We know meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating and going to a new church for the first time can be nerveracking. We want to help make your first experience at Bethel a great one.

Where and When

We meet at the Chapel (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am.
For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early.  As we don't have our own car park, you will have to find a spot in one of the many public car parks around town.  Don't worry, there is always loads of parking as it's Sunday morning and its.a very short walk.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our welcomers at the door, who will show you where to sit and provide you with a "Contact Us" sheet should you want to us to contact you after the service.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the church hall.

We see our services on a Sunday like a family get together.  We like to laugh and have fun.  Life can sometimes be very challenging, whether you are young or old; it helps to have support and a place to belong; so on Sundays we do just that.  

What you can expect on a Sunday morning at Bethel is:

A warm, friendly community of people
To be welcomed and included.    
To be supported.
To be given a chance.
To sometimes laugh and sometimes cry.
To be challenged and also to have fun.
To experience the presence of God in us and in creation.
To sing, because music is probably the best way we have of expressing our emotions and gratefulness to God.
A love for the Bible and the truths in it.

Bethel04














What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
Sunday Club (4 -11 years)
Young people (11+ years) They have a group meeting one week and the next join in the service in the Chapel. 

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, a song or two songs, notices and an all age reflection. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups.  We suggest that on your first visit, you go along with your child to drop them off and meet the leaders, before returning to the Chapel. 

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.


Getting Connected


Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Youth Group
Foodbank
Renew Wellbeing Cafe
 

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.
 

Leadership 

Phil    
Phil Hibbert    
Pastor    
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.