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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Finding the mind of Christ as a Body
It's amazing to see how a free functioning body of Christ is able to find the will of God together as a body, and be led and guided by his headship rather than from the headship of a solitary pastor.
First let me take a step back to last weekend during/after the Organic Church Conference in Orlando. During one of the sessions our brother in Christ Milt Rodriguez shared about God's desire for community and the importance of community in the gathering of the saints. That in order to have an organic expression of the body of Christ community is central. Christ desires to have a place where he can be seen in the lives of the saints on a daily basis, not just once a week during a meeting, but through their shared community life. This message really spoke to one of the brothers who fellowships with the saints in Alexandria who was attending the conference and he was very enthusiastic and hungry for a shared community life with the brothers and sisters in Alexandria.
After the conference the two of us gathered together and he shared his burden about community with me and some of the other brothers who spoke at the conference. We discussed this and played around with the idea about what that would mean, and what should be done about it. We decided to talk about it with the brothers during our weekly brother's meeting which is tomorrow. The idea was that if the Lord isn't putting it on the hearts of our brothers and sisters and its not a corporate decision then the burden would just be let go for the time until he put it on everyone's hearts.
Fast forward to tonight's meeting we shared and met around Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." The meeting slowly picked up in talking about the fullness of Christ an how all the blessings are in Him and we have been put into Him; however, as the meeting progressed the Lord began to reveal to us how our brothers and sisters are spiritual blessings and in fact how they are one of the ways the Lord expresses his spiritual blessings to us. Through spending time with one another, and fellowshipping with one another, the Lord is able to impart himself into us through His Spirit that we share with one another, which led us all into the desire to spend more time with one another and develop a shared community life with one another.
Sitting back and looking at how this all played out and seeing the Lord put this desire on not only one member's heart but every member of the Body. Through meeting and sharing we found the mind of Christ, we found His will for the season that we are in, we found Him in one another.
To God be the Glory
First let me take a step back to last weekend during/after the Organic Church Conference in Orlando. During one of the sessions our brother in Christ Milt Rodriguez shared about God's desire for community and the importance of community in the gathering of the saints. That in order to have an organic expression of the body of Christ community is central. Christ desires to have a place where he can be seen in the lives of the saints on a daily basis, not just once a week during a meeting, but through their shared community life. This message really spoke to one of the brothers who fellowships with the saints in Alexandria who was attending the conference and he was very enthusiastic and hungry for a shared community life with the brothers and sisters in Alexandria.
After the conference the two of us gathered together and he shared his burden about community with me and some of the other brothers who spoke at the conference. We discussed this and played around with the idea about what that would mean, and what should be done about it. We decided to talk about it with the brothers during our weekly brother's meeting which is tomorrow. The idea was that if the Lord isn't putting it on the hearts of our brothers and sisters and its not a corporate decision then the burden would just be let go for the time until he put it on everyone's hearts.
Fast forward to tonight's meeting we shared and met around Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." The meeting slowly picked up in talking about the fullness of Christ an how all the blessings are in Him and we have been put into Him; however, as the meeting progressed the Lord began to reveal to us how our brothers and sisters are spiritual blessings and in fact how they are one of the ways the Lord expresses his spiritual blessings to us. Through spending time with one another, and fellowshipping with one another, the Lord is able to impart himself into us through His Spirit that we share with one another, which led us all into the desire to spend more time with one another and develop a shared community life with one another.
Sitting back and looking at how this all played out and seeing the Lord put this desire on not only one member's heart but every member of the Body. Through meeting and sharing we found the mind of Christ, we found His will for the season that we are in, we found Him in one another.
To God be the Glory
Sunday, July 6, 2008
We Think
I wanted to share this video. It makes me think a lot about what the Lord is doing in His Church. The Lord speaks through every member not just one. We think about Christ, we fellowship with Christ, we know Christ and we share Christ with one another.
What every joint supplies
I feel compelled to unpack some of the verses I presented in my first post and describe how I think it supports a layman's theology. And since I have a degree in mathematics and love order I'll begin with the first in the list.
Ephesians 4: 15-16 "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
From my learning as a younger Christian I heard that Ephesians was a circular letter that was written originally with a blank where the word Ephesians is now recorded. I also learned that this letter was part of a group of letters that Paul wrote at the same time. The group being Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians. This letter here is the only letter of Paul's that is not written to a specific group to solve a problem but rather sent to several churches for their encouragement. In this letter it is clear that Paul is trying to express and describe something that is difficult for him to convey in the written language. Over and over again he talks about the indwelling Lord and having the believers see where they are in God and who God is to them. He is trying to get them to see with spiritual eyes. But he is not trying to get individuals to see but trying to get them to see as a people. In this verse he says that "we are to grow up into Him." It is clear in Paul's mind that he is not separating his experience from the experience of his brothers and sisters. Their experience or should I say destination is one. Additionally the growth that he expects of himself he expects of the recipients of the letter. Keep in mind that this letter is addressed not only to the Ephesians but was left blank to be circulated among several churches.
"the whole body ... being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies" In order for the Church to function and operate the way Paul sees it it requires the functioning of every member of the body. Each member is to supply their portion. My first experience in church had me sitting in a pew on a weekly basis, singing songs to the Lord, and greeting the person next to me. There were opportunities during the week for me to "minister" teach bible studies, participate in youth group, ... which I did, but I did not have the freedom to supply anything when all of my brothers and sisters were there, and I definitely was not being fitted and held together with them during this time. My second experience in church was as part of a house church group where each member was free to share as the spirit led, and I was able to exhort my brothers and sisters, say a prayer to the Lord, start a song, prepare a message to share, share a testimony, the meeting was completely free to share whatever the Lord had placed on my heart. I was able to share my layman theology. This supply comes from the Lord it is the essence of what I call layman theology. Every member has access to God and is able to share with the saints what the Lord is saying to them and it is valid, not because of its lining up with a clergy man's doctrine, but because it was received from the Lord. And each person's spirit is able to discern what is and what is not from the Lord. The Lord gave his Spirit to us for that purpose.
"according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Paul indicates here that in order for the body to grow properly, it is necessary for each individual part to function properly. These functioning requires freedom for the Lord to express himself in the meetings of believers and for the members to be connected together in a community. I always found it difficult to get to know my brothers and sisters while sitting in church. It always felt awkward and unnatural, however, in the meetings I've been in where brothers and sisters were free to share it became natural to get to know one them, because I heard their heart for the Lord during the meetings. Another thing I want to point out in this verse was the body built itself up in love, not in knowledge or just through hearing sermons but through living their lives out together and loving one another through all the trials in life.
This is it for now, and I'll begin to post more about the other verses later in the week, but this upcoming week in our church meeting I am sharing my testimony so I thought it would be a good chance to share it with anyone who cares to read this blog some day in the future. So the next couple of posts will be my journey in life and with the Lord.
Ephesians 4: 15-16 "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
From my learning as a younger Christian I heard that Ephesians was a circular letter that was written originally with a blank where the word Ephesians is now recorded. I also learned that this letter was part of a group of letters that Paul wrote at the same time. The group being Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians. This letter here is the only letter of Paul's that is not written to a specific group to solve a problem but rather sent to several churches for their encouragement. In this letter it is clear that Paul is trying to express and describe something that is difficult for him to convey in the written language. Over and over again he talks about the indwelling Lord and having the believers see where they are in God and who God is to them. He is trying to get them to see with spiritual eyes. But he is not trying to get individuals to see but trying to get them to see as a people. In this verse he says that "we are to grow up into Him." It is clear in Paul's mind that he is not separating his experience from the experience of his brothers and sisters. Their experience or should I say destination is one. Additionally the growth that he expects of himself he expects of the recipients of the letter. Keep in mind that this letter is addressed not only to the Ephesians but was left blank to be circulated among several churches.
"the whole body ... being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies" In order for the Church to function and operate the way Paul sees it it requires the functioning of every member of the body. Each member is to supply their portion. My first experience in church had me sitting in a pew on a weekly basis, singing songs to the Lord, and greeting the person next to me. There were opportunities during the week for me to "minister" teach bible studies, participate in youth group, ... which I did, but I did not have the freedom to supply anything when all of my brothers and sisters were there, and I definitely was not being fitted and held together with them during this time. My second experience in church was as part of a house church group where each member was free to share as the spirit led, and I was able to exhort my brothers and sisters, say a prayer to the Lord, start a song, prepare a message to share, share a testimony, the meeting was completely free to share whatever the Lord had placed on my heart. I was able to share my layman theology. This supply comes from the Lord it is the essence of what I call layman theology. Every member has access to God and is able to share with the saints what the Lord is saying to them and it is valid, not because of its lining up with a clergy man's doctrine, but because it was received from the Lord. And each person's spirit is able to discern what is and what is not from the Lord. The Lord gave his Spirit to us for that purpose.
"according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Paul indicates here that in order for the body to grow properly, it is necessary for each individual part to function properly. These functioning requires freedom for the Lord to express himself in the meetings of believers and for the members to be connected together in a community. I always found it difficult to get to know my brothers and sisters while sitting in church. It always felt awkward and unnatural, however, in the meetings I've been in where brothers and sisters were free to share it became natural to get to know one them, because I heard their heart for the Lord during the meetings. Another thing I want to point out in this verse was the body built itself up in love, not in knowledge or just through hearing sermons but through living their lives out together and loving one another through all the trials in life.
This is it for now, and I'll begin to post more about the other verses later in the week, but this upcoming week in our church meeting I am sharing my testimony so I thought it would be a good chance to share it with anyone who cares to read this blog some day in the future. So the next couple of posts will be my journey in life and with the Lord.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Clergy "God's Inheritance"
Yesterday, I was having a conversation with another brother in our church about this blog and mentioned briefly the clergy/laity distinction and my desire that someday the word laymen would be extinct from the English language. He in turn informed me that the word clergy actually means God's inheritance. My immediate reaction caused me to rethink the last statement in yesterday's post. "We need to celebrate our independence from the clergy and hold fast to our head." I would now like to recant that statement and in turn say we need to continue to hold fast to the head and each member needs to stand up and take their place as part of God's inheritance, clergy, and have a restoration of the priesthood of all believers.
Today, I decided to do some research on the word kleros, which is where the word clergy derives its meaning. According to Strong's concordance kleros means: a die (for drawing chances) i.e. a lot; a portion; an acquisition; heritage, inheritance, lot, part.
Upon reviewing the 12 passages where kleros appears in the New Testament I discovered it is used 6 times to refer to lots or a lot, 2 times referring to be a part of a group, two times as inheritance and one as allotted portion.
I would like to focus on the two verses that speak of inheritance.
Colossians 1:12 "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."
Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me"
In both of these verses it appears that inheritance is all of God's people or something that is shared by God's people, not a select group of people. In Ephesians Paul tells us that we are God's inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,"
The word laity, which comes from the Greek word laikos, is not even in the New Testament scriptures. Even still it is a common word in many churches to refer to the average church goer who is not in a position of leadership. The problem with this word is it takes away from the Lord's desire for his people. God does not use this word to refer to his people. In his word we are called saints, holy ones, a royal priesthood, partakers of the divine nature, brothers, sisters, children of God, a holy people of God. And in the end of the bible it ends with us being wed to the Lord. He came to die for us that He might have a love relationship with us. I only say this because I hope that each member of the Lord can see them selves through the Lord's eyes and see how loved they are by Him.
Today, I decided to do some research on the word kleros, which is where the word clergy derives its meaning. According to Strong's concordance kleros means: a die (for drawing chances) i.e. a lot; a portion; an acquisition; heritage, inheritance, lot, part.
Upon reviewing the 12 passages where kleros appears in the New Testament I discovered it is used 6 times to refer to lots or a lot, 2 times referring to be a part of a group, two times as inheritance and one as allotted portion.
2819 Mt 27:35 lots
2819 Mt 27:35 lots
2819 Mr 15:24 lots
2819 Lu 23:34 lots
2819 Ac 1:17 part
2819 Ac 1:25 part
2819 Ac 1:26 lots
2819 Ac 1:26 lot
2819 Ac 26:18 inheritance
2819 Ac 8:21 lot
2819 Col 1:12 inheritance
2819 1Pe 5:3 allotted portionI do not see any justification from the New Testament for a select group of people to be referred to as clergy in any way that draws a distinction between the common believer. Paul so often stood for the unity of all believers and that Christ was not divided not nothing should come between fellow believers, he rebuked Peter just for eating with the Jews. How much more so would he rebuke people if he saw what occurs in our churches today.I would like to focus on the two verses that speak of inheritance.
Colossians 1:12 "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."
Acts 26:18 "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me"
In both of these verses it appears that inheritance is all of God's people or something that is shared by God's people, not a select group of people. In Ephesians Paul tells us that we are God's inheritance.
Ephesians 1:18 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,"
The word laity, which comes from the Greek word laikos, is not even in the New Testament scriptures. Even still it is a common word in many churches to refer to the average church goer who is not in a position of leadership. The problem with this word is it takes away from the Lord's desire for his people. God does not use this word to refer to his people. In his word we are called saints, holy ones, a royal priesthood, partakers of the divine nature, brothers, sisters, children of God, a holy people of God. And in the end of the bible it ends with us being wed to the Lord. He came to die for us that He might have a love relationship with us. I only say this because I hope that each member of the Lord can see them selves through the Lord's eyes and see how loved they are by Him.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Layman Theology
I had the idea today to begin a website under this title "Layman Theology." My thoughts, hopes and initial vision for that website were to provide a place for the layman to discuss their God, Lord, Savior, King, the Lover of their souls, Prince of Peace, ... I hate that in order to describe God's Holy People, His Chosen Nation, the Partakers of the Divine Nature, Saints, His Royal Priesthood, that I would need to use a word such as Layman. In the Lord's eyes we are much more than layman and have every right to share who He is with one another. I ran the idea by my wife and since she is very wise she suggested I begin with a blog so here I am.
My prayer for this effort.
"Lord I ask that you would use this blog to promote your eternal purpose, to unveil the riches that exist in your son Jesus Christ, to show my brothers and sisters who they are in you and how you see them, to free your holy ones from the corruption of sin and any religious bondage, to provide a place for you to express your desires for your bride and a place for your bride to respond to you and pour out her love onto you.:
Following is a small list of verses from the New Testament that support a layman's theology, but not only support but indicate that it is critical to have each and every member of the Lord's body sharing from what He supplies. I would like to begin with a quote that I found in my initial search of layman's theology to see if the name has already been taken. It is a challenge which I dare take on and hope that many others will dare to do the same and share the depths and riches of Christ with other brothers and sisters in the Lord.
"The layman who proposes to discuss religion is at best presumptuous if not foolhardy." Journal of Bible and Religion 1946
Ephesians 4: 15-16 "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Ephesians 3:11-12 "This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."
Hebrews 4:16 "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace..."
1 Corinthians 14:26 "When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."
Ephesians 2:5-6 "Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"
Ephesians 2:10 "...we are His workmanship...
Ephesians 2:18 "for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father."
Brothers and Sisters lets be presumptuous and foolhardy and take on the challenges that Paul issues throughout his writings. The Lord is dwelling inside of us and we are able to know Him, share Him, and handle Him.
And I just realized that I am making this post on our country's Day of Independence, brothers and sisters lets celebrate our independence from the clergy and hold fast to our head Jesus Christ!
My prayer for this effort.
"Lord I ask that you would use this blog to promote your eternal purpose, to unveil the riches that exist in your son Jesus Christ, to show my brothers and sisters who they are in you and how you see them, to free your holy ones from the corruption of sin and any religious bondage, to provide a place for you to express your desires for your bride and a place for your bride to respond to you and pour out her love onto you.:
Following is a small list of verses from the New Testament that support a layman's theology, but not only support but indicate that it is critical to have each and every member of the Lord's body sharing from what He supplies. I would like to begin with a quote that I found in my initial search of layman's theology to see if the name has already been taken. It is a challenge which I dare take on and hope that many others will dare to do the same and share the depths and riches of Christ with other brothers and sisters in the Lord.
"The layman who proposes to discuss religion is at best presumptuous if not foolhardy." Journal of Bible and Religion 1946
Ephesians 4: 15-16 "but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Ephesians 3:11-12 "This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."
Hebrews 4:16 "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace..."
1 Corinthians 14:26 "When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."
Ephesians 2:5-6 "Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"
Ephesians 2:10 "...we are His workmanship...
Ephesians 2:18 "for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father."
Brothers and Sisters lets be presumptuous and foolhardy and take on the challenges that Paul issues throughout his writings. The Lord is dwelling inside of us and we are able to know Him, share Him, and handle Him.
And I just realized that I am making this post on our country's Day of Independence, brothers and sisters lets celebrate our independence from the clergy and hold fast to our head Jesus Christ!
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