Guest Blogger: What God is doing among the body in our area
I’ve invited people to write “guest blog posts” for this blog. There are several reasons for this: 1) To offer different perspectives. 2) To generate even more discussion and conversation between blogs. 3) To introduce other bloggers to my readers.
(If you are interested in writing a guest blog post, please contact me at aknox[at]sebts[dot]com.)
Today’s post was written by Dan House. You can connect with Dan via his blog or Twitter (@dan_house73).
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What God is doing among the body in our area
I desire to continually stay open to finding and meeting brothers in Christ as the Spirit leads. I feel directed to tell you about what Christ has been doing here in Concord NC. There are 3 loosely associated gatherings here in Concord. One meets in the home my family and I live in and another meets about 2 miles away and another about 10 miles away. They all are gatherings that take place in homes.
I can only give you a snap shot of what I have been told and experienced along this path that Christ has us on. I will go back to 13 years ago when a couple of brothers from a large church in the area began asking questions about what they saw in the New Testament about Church. They eventually were asked to stop asking questions and to fall in line and get with the program or leave. Division was not the heart of these brothers so they changed there behavior and tried to bring unity. They quit asking questions and simply fell in line, but it seemed that was not good enough and they were eventually asked to leave.
They began meeting together asking questions and digging for truth. People were added and the group that was assembling faced many issues. The Holy Spirit did much. As you must already know body life is messy, but rewarding. I came in contact with a brother from this body’s assembly at a homeschool soccer game. The church that my family and I attended was ending. When the church added a permanent pastor it made a turn toward the end. I stayed till the church shut down.
This church’s planting and ending, caused me to have many questions. I began reading and digging for truth for the first time in my life. I began reading the bible, books by Watchman Nee, Frank Viola, and T. Austin Sparks. I began reading many blogs as well. I also began meeting with my new found friend and his friends for breakfast. When it became apparent that God was establishing another gathering we began meeting together. My new found brothers began to encourage us to keep pursuing.
The body here in Concord is not without a head pastor; our Head is Christ! We are not Fatherless, we have God as our father, but we have not seen fathers among us. We are looking for fathers in the faith. I am not saying that there are not fathers in the faith here in the area; there may be but, we have not made contact yet.
Well, I guess this is all I am able to write right now! I pray that you see my heart and not my inability to express my heart with words on page.
Scripture… As We Live It #221
This is the 221st passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him Stop him, or at least ridicule him, for the one who is not against you is for you for the one who is not doing exactly what you would is against you.” (Luke 9:50 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Replay: Why is one covenant (the new covenant) not enough?
Two years ago, I wrote a post called “What is one covenant not enough?” In Christ, we are all already part of the new covenant. Because of that covenant we are all now children of God and, therefore, brothers and sisters with one another. That covenant alone covers how we should interact with and treat one another. So, why do so many feel that we still need more covenants, i.e. a church covenant?
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Why is one covenant not enough?
According to Jesus, all of those who belong to God are now covenanted with God. For example, Jesus said that his blood represents this new covenant:
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28 ESV)
In the same way, Paul recognized that he currently served people who were under a new covenant with God:
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV)
Finally, the author of the book of Hebrews explains how Jesus (as our high priest) is a better mediator of this new covenant:
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:22 ESV)
So, all of those who are in Christ – who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ – are covenanted together with God… not based on their (our) ability to keep a covenant, but based on God’s promises (for example, see Hebrews 10:23).
We are in a covenant with God, and are therefore covenanted together with one another. Our covenant with God includes new familial relationships with others who are covenanted with God. Just as God is our father, his children (and all of his children) are our brothers and sisters. Our familial responsibilities toward one another are included in our relationship with God.
Thus, I cannot choose how I should treat someone who is in Christ. That relationship and those responsibilities are already ours because of our joint relationship with God.
So, the question that I’ve been struggling and wrestling with is this: If we are already covenanted with God and if we are already brothers and sisters with one another, then why do we need a separate “church covenant”?
A “church covenant” can only do two things: 1) It can remind of us our relationships and responsibilities which already exist, whether we have a covenant or not. And 2) it can specify with whom we share those relationships and responsibilities.
If we are relying on a “church covenant” for reason #1 above, then the “church covenant” is nothing more than a reminder of the new covenant in Christ. We are already covenanted with God through Christ, and therefore covenanted with all other people who are part of the same covenant. Thus, this is really not a “church covenant” but the new covenant.
The problem with #2 above is that our relationships and responsibilities extend to all brothers and sisters in Christ that God brings into our lives. If we use a “church covenant” to include some believers and exclude others, then we are dividing the body of Christ and making distinctions that only God can make. We are trying to choose who to love and who to serve. (Of course, this makes life much easier, but it doesn’t make it a life that lived according to the gospel.)
So, why do we need a “church covenant”? Why is one covenant (the new covenant in Christ) not enough?
Unity – like love – is part of God’s nature – but not always part of God’s children
This post has a subtitle: “Why do God’s children struggle so much to demonstrate that unity – or love?”
In the Pentateuch, we read, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV) Jesus prayed that God’s children (his followers) would demonstrate that same unity: “[I ask] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us… that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one…” (John 17:20-23 ESV) (By the way, in that same prayer, Jesus refers to the glory of God in the context of this unity… both his unity with God, our unity with God, and our unity with one another.)
Unity is part of God’s nature, just as love and holiness and justice and sovereignty is part of God’s nature. And, in Christ, we demonstrate that unity both in our relationship with God and in our relationships with one another.
So… returning to my subtitle… why do God’s children struggle so much to demonstrate that unity?
And, we can’t chalk this one up to problems that have arisen over the last 2000 years or so. How do I know? Because, in the New Testament, the problem of division and/or an exhortation toward unity and harmony is included in almost every (perhaps every) letter written to groups of believers – that is, groups of God’s children who are followers of Jesus Christ and indwelled by the Holy Spirit.
These people did not have hundreds of years of religious traditions, denominationalism, and bickering to blame for their divisions and their lack of unity.
No, those early believers could not blame others for their divisions. They could only accept that they were responsible for failing to live in the Holy Spirit as demonstrated by failing to live in unity with one another.
Unity is still part of God’s nature – part of the nature of the God who indwells and calls us his children and gives us a new nature and empowers us to live in that nature. When we do not accept and live with other believers as real brothers and sisters (as God accepts them in Jesus Christ), then we are not living in the power of the Spirit. When we do not live in the fellowship with one another (not just with our lips but with our lives), then we are not following Jesus Christ.
The problem is not with our traditions or their traditions. The problem is not with our hierarchy or their hierarchy. The problem is not with our denomination or their denomination. The problem is not with our system of theology or their system of theology.
The problem is with submission to God as his child and living in the power of the Spirit in order to demonstrate the nature of God – which includes unity with God and unity with his children.
The Community of Christ and Correction
Miguel at “God Directed Deviations” has written a good post called “Remember the guy who Paul the Apostle ‘Delivered Unto Satan for the destruction of his flesh so that his soul might be saved’?” (Yeah, that’s a long title, Miguel.)
In the post, Miguel is talking about “church discipline” as it is commonly called today (although the phrase is not used in Scripture). He quotes passages from 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2 to paint a full picture of what happened between this man and the church in Corinth.
Make sure to read Miguel’s post.
Here’s something that’s usually not discussed in relation to this topic: This all assumes real community in Christ – i.e., real relationships between people. Otherwise, when we refuse to fellowship with and spend time with someone, then nothing is missing. A deep common relationship with Christ is necessary for this kind of correction.
What do you think?
It’s time for another round of guest blogger posts
Earlier this week, I had a great email exchange. The brother who I was interacting with has given me permission to use part of the email exchange as a “guest blogger” post.
Over the years, I’ve published many “guest blogger” post. These are posts written by other people, but published here on my blog. Like this latest post, most of the earlier “guest blogger” posts began as email correspondence. (Choose the “guest blogger” category in the right-hand sidebar – or click here – to see some of the “guest blogger” posts on my site.)
However, early in 2011, I began inviting people to write posts specifically to be published here as “guest blogger” posts. I’ve done this a few times since then, and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s been a huge success.
In fact, the most read post on my blog of all time (forever and ever) is a “guest blogger” post from last year called “How does the church respond to poverty?” I think that one of the reasons that post is so popular is that the writer tells her story. She doesn’t just wax eloquent on issues of theology. She tells the real story of her family living in poverty and how the church as responded to them – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Would you like to tell part of your story too? If so, I’d love to publish it. And, if you prefer to “wax eloquent,” feel free to do that too.
I only ask that your post somehow connect to the church – the people of God gathered together – since that is the focus of this blog. Also, I ask that the post be under 1000 words. If you need more than 1000 words, then I would prefer to split it into multiple posts. (I typically publish “guest blogger” posts on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. EST.)
Many of my regular readers and commenters have written “guest blogger” posts here. I always appreciate hearing your stories and your perspectives. I’ve also found that these “guest blogger” posts can get a good deal of discussion.
If you are interested in writing a “guest blogger” post, send me an email at aknox [at] sebts [dot] edu.
He wants to be called “Saint James”
James at “Seeking a Kingdom” asks us to call him “James, Saint James.”
Well, not really. Sarcastically, of course.
In his post, James is pointing out the completely unscriptural practice of giving a follower of Jesus Christ a title (of any kind) and revering certain believer above others. Of course, among most believers that I know, the title usually revered is “pastor” – which is the title that James writes about in his post.
It’s difficult to find a small part of James’ post to quote/excerpt, so please jump over and read the whole thing.
Like James, I’m concerned when I hear terms related to certain spiritual gifts or certain functions applied as titles and when those terms / titles / positions are revered above others followers of Jesus Christ. I’m even more concerned when someone requests (or requires) people to call them by a certain title.
The funny thing is, I’ve also heard other terms (like “brother” or “sister”) used as titles with very little understanding of what the terms mean. For instance, someone calling someone else “Sister So-and-so” or “Brother So-and-so” without actually treating that person like a brother or sister in Christ.
So, I guess it works both ways. That’s why I always ask people to just call me Alan.
He was a little bit off there. What a shame!
Have you been watching any of the 2012 Olympics from London? We’ve watched some of the NBC live broadcasts during the afternoon and some of the NBC unlive broadcasts on at night.
I’ve enjoyed several sports, but especially gymnastics. I’ve been intrigued by the commentators covering the gymnastics events. I understand that the judges are looking for perfection and the announcers have to help the audience, but, to be honest, I usually can’t see the mistakes that the judges see and commentators point out. Instead, I see artistry and athleticism that is unmatched by 99.9% (+) of the world’s population.
You know what I’m talking about, right? One hand moved to the side by half an inch too much, or a small step after flipping 10-20 times through the air with a few twists? These are errors… devastating… dream-breaking. Of course, if I tried to do even part of that routine… well, you know how that would turn out.
I wonder if we’re like that among our brothers and sisters in Christ too often. We expect perfection when it comes to almost anything, especially when we are gathered together. One small misstep or one small word misspoken is a huge mistake… devastating… heretical maybe.
So, slowly, this develops into this idea that God demands “excellence”… excellence in speaking ability… excellence in serving… excellence in leadership… excellence in singing… excellence in everything.
And we make God unapproachable for everyone who is not “excellent” (however we define “excellence”).
Interestingly, from reading the New Testament, it seems that God calls and uses the broken… the imperfect… the ones who recognize that they are not excellent and accept others in the un-excellent state.
It seems that every group has their definition of what is expected from others. And if anyone can’t provide that, then they should remain on the sidelines.
I’ve learned something very important over the last several years. Sometimes God speaks loudest through the quietest voice. Sometimes he speaks clearest through some who can barely put a sentence together. Sometimes God serves more powerfully through the one who stumbles along. Sometimes he serves most consistently through some who make mistakes.
And, perhaps I should change “sometimes” above to “often.”
But, what happens when those who are not “excellent” are not allowed to speak or to serve? What happens when only those who are “excellent” speak and serve?
I believe the answer is the same in both cases: the church is less healthy and the growth (maturity) of the church is hindered.
When it comes to giving to others, why do we usually seem to start with reasons to not give?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve enjoyed following Chuck on his newish blog “Being Filled” (and, of course, I’ve enjoyed his interactive here and on Twitter). One of his latest posts is called “Give to Everyone Who Asks of You.”
Whenever I hear someone teach about this subject (or read someone who has written about this subject) they almost always begin with exceptions for giving or justifications for not giving. Interestingly, Chuck deals with many of these excuses in his own post.
For example, concerning the excuse “he doesn’t deserve it,” Chuck writes:
You’re right; he doesn’t deserve it. You don’t deserve it either. What you have is not the result of your own careful planning and managing. Everything you have is a gift of God. And God has just commanded you to pass some of that gift on to another undeserving person.
Chuck covers several other excuses as well.
But, I’m not concerned so much with the excuses and whether or not they are justified. But, when I read Chuck’s post, and went back and read Jesus’ command in context, I noticed something:
In every instance in Scripture where it is recorded that Jesus commanded “Give to everyone who asks of you,” he said that in the context of loving our enemies. Think about that… Jesus is talking about giving to people who oppose us… and giving them anything they ask from us. (There are other commands and examples of giving to people who are not our enemies, but this context was about giving to enemies.)
Again, I’m not interested in when, where, why, and how we may or may not be justified to not give, I’m simply pointing out that when Jesus commanded us to give, he was not talking about giving to people who agree with us or even to people who like us.
This is certainly a different kind of giving… If Jesus began in the context of enemies, why do we typically begin with reasons not to give?
Ephesians, here we come?
When we gather together with other brothers and sisters in Christ on Sunday mornings, we study through a book of Scripture, or occasionally through a topic. Right now, we studying through 1 Samuel together. Usually, one person agrees to facilitate our discussion, while we all take part in working through the passage (usually a chapter or more at a time).
I love this kind of study with people who love God and love each other and seek to understand Scripture together. I’ve learned so much by studying Scripture with my brothers and sisters in Christ – both on Sundays and at other times, as the discussions on Sundays often carry over to other times when we get together at our homes, in coffee shops, even running trails around the lake.
So, like I said, we’re currently working through 1 Samuel, and David just spared Saul for the second time, which means that we’re near the end of Saul and the end of the book. We started talking about what book to study next. Almost everyone agreed that they would like to return to the New Testament for a while.
And, then I heard it – like music to my ears. Someone said, “What about Ephesians?” And, guess what, I didn’t even have to bribe her! Because, Ephesians is one of my favorite New Testament books! (It’s definitely in the top 27, anyway.)
But, seriously, I love Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, and, yes, I know all the theories about it being a circular letter and not specifically addressed to the Ephesians in a couple of older manuscripts. Still, I love the letter.
I love the structure and the flow and the focus and just about everything about it.
In fact, as I think about it, I haven’t studied Ephesians in a few years. Not too long ago, I was studying Ephesians with different groups of Christians on and off for a couple of years. It became a joke with some of my friends. “Alan, when are you going to start a study of Ephesians again?” wink wink nudge nudge
So, as I begin to think about Ephesians again, I thought I would throw this out to you. What do you like about Ephesians? Do you have a favorite passage? A favorite topic in the book? What do you wish you understood better? What do you struggle with the most in the book?