"RETHINK CHURCH" (repost: Thursday, June 11, 2009)
"RETHINK CHURCH". I had to put that in quotes, because I borrowed that statement from the United Methodist Church commercial, I just viewed. I think they have a point. It is time to "rethink church"! Church, as we know it, is not accomplishing the goals that Christ would have it. It isn't working like the New Testament model. Souls aren't being won--like they once were. people aren't being healed or raised from the dead in our churches. Of course, some would argue, that it isn't for this day--but tell me, what was the cut off date? We are in the same dispensation--Grace, right? So, what changed???
I would surmise, that our problem is relational, in nature--with God, and even more so, with others. Of course, if we have problems with others--our relationship with God becomes fractured, too, soooo....
What can we do about this?
The Scriptures give us very clear directions about how we should relate to one another. How to have good and prosperous relationships with each other; what our responsibilities are to others (and to God); and what we must do when there is a breach--how to repair it. It hasn't changed after all of these years; what worked all of those centuries ago, holds true, today.
To have healthy and whole relationships/friendships with others, the Bible teaches us these things:
1.) The Golden Rule: We learned it as children--in Sunday School, maybe even in public school. I like what Robert Shannon has to say about the completely positive attribute of "The Golden Rule". Christianity is not alone in having a Golden Rule, but there is a striking difference. Christ's Golden Rule is positive; others are negative. The Talmud of Judaism said, "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men." Brahmanism said, "Do naught unto others which would cause pain if done to you." Buddhism said, "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself find hurtful." Confucianism said, ""Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you." Christ's Golden Rule is positive, "Do to others, as you would have them do to you." It is a significant difference." Leave it to Jesus, to keep it simple, positive and refreshing! It is only when WE start to add to it, that things become complicated.
2.) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35). Jesus wants us to love as He loves. He loved simply, yet extravangantly. His love ran the gamut--from sharing simple meals with the disciples to dying on the Cross for their sins and ours (all of this was in an attitude of servanthood [Philippians 2:4-8]). He wants us to love the same way--purely, honestly, simply and extravagantly! The new Testament Church understood that message and they held to that standard. They shared ALL that they had (Acts 2:44,45). Think of Paul, in 2 Corinthians, the 8th Chapter, commending the Macedonian saints for their giving. They weren't rich. In fact, he says, " their deep poverty abounded" but in the midst of their poverty and their "great trial of affliction", they begged ("with much entreaty") to give more to the saints who had need, too! "Things" don't equal love, but giving out of your need, shows that your heart abounds in love. Motives matter, too. People give for a multitude of reasons! Remember 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? "I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love." In other words, your heart is showing--people may not see or care about your motives, BUT GOD DOES!
Here are examples of giving--without love. A husband cheats on his wife, and buys her expensive jewelry, so that she will overlook the offenses. A man/woman wants to be recognized by "important" people in philanthropic organizations--what's the best way? Make a large donation--it's giving, but not motivated by love, it doesn't really cost them anything. What they acquire is worth more to them than what they give. Even in our churches, would we give sacrificially (some of us), if there wasn't a line for everyone to see that you are giving? And how does that leave those who are unable to give to that extent, feeling? It separates and divides. Why not just have everyone give sacrificially, altogether--what really is the purpose of that? Giving is personal. I believe it should be done in secret (Matthew 6), other than the purpose of the church's record-keeping, there is no reason for "thy left hand to know what thy right hand doeth". I am concerned that too much is done for the wrong reason--and again, our motives do matter.
What are our responsibilities to each other?
1.) Love One Another--that should be a settled fact in our minds. (Note: When LOVE is pure, it encompasses every other commandment and you don't have to worry about focusing on each and every possible offense--love WILL guide you. [Matthew 22:40])
2.) Willingly Bear the Burdens of One Another--"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the Law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
3.) Pray for One Another--As Christ prayed for the disciples, and taught them to pray--He was our example.
4.) Esteem One Another MORE HIGHLY THAN YOURSELF.
5.) Show Yourself Friendly. Be hospitable. Go the extra mile. Extend yourself--it doesn't mean be a doormat, but be a blessing. Look for opportunities to bless others--if it's just a word of encouragement, or a smile.
6.) Fellowship. We don't do a lot of this. It is societal I believe--as times change, we grow further and further apart. Extended families--really are extended. Everyone wants their own time and space. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are the family of God--and we need to spend time together, getting to know each other. We can't do that in worship service. We need social events: picnics, dinners, movie nights, etc.--whatever it takes, for us to become a family, bonded and cohesive.
When there is a breach:
What do we do when something has occurred to cause a separation between us and a brother/sister in Christ? What should our response be? Does it matter whose fault it is? How do we handle these things?
There are answers to these things outlined in the Word of God, too. We must utilize them, if we want to be blessed--and to win our brother/sister. Be willing to stand in the gap. Lay aside your pride and go to your brother or sister--remember nothing else that you do matters to God, until you have done ALL that you can to fix that relationship. You're just "sounding brass", until then. Your singing, preaching, testifying--all of your work in the church is for nought ( as far as YOU are concerned) if your relationships are fractured, and you have made no attempts to repair them. Brotherly love says, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." (1 John 2:4-11)
Here are the steps for repairing the breach:
1.) "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
2.) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother, But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven."
An important point to state--perhaps the most important one, is that ALL of this is fixable--easily. Don't allow pride, fear of rejection, or anything to keep you from the work of healing your relationships. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). It is a trick of the enemy to get us to think that it is impossible to change these situations, so it's hopeless! It isn't, I know that it isn't--it is a risk. What risk? Everyone won't be ready for change--some may reject you or change, but most won't. Even those who will, if they are truly Spirit-filed, they will eventually come around--plant the seed. I mean, really, "What would Jesus do???"
I would surmise, that our problem is relational, in nature--with God, and even more so, with others. Of course, if we have problems with others--our relationship with God becomes fractured, too, soooo....
What can we do about this?
The Scriptures give us very clear directions about how we should relate to one another. How to have good and prosperous relationships with each other; what our responsibilities are to others (and to God); and what we must do when there is a breach--how to repair it. It hasn't changed after all of these years; what worked all of those centuries ago, holds true, today.
To have healthy and whole relationships/friendships with others, the Bible teaches us these things:
1.) The Golden Rule: We learned it as children--in Sunday School, maybe even in public school. I like what Robert Shannon has to say about the completely positive attribute of "The Golden Rule". Christianity is not alone in having a Golden Rule, but there is a striking difference. Christ's Golden Rule is positive; others are negative. The Talmud of Judaism said, "What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow men." Brahmanism said, "Do naught unto others which would cause pain if done to you." Buddhism said, "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself find hurtful." Confucianism said, ""Do not unto others that you would not have them do unto you." Christ's Golden Rule is positive, "Do to others, as you would have them do to you." It is a significant difference." Leave it to Jesus, to keep it simple, positive and refreshing! It is only when WE start to add to it, that things become complicated.
2.) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35). Jesus wants us to love as He loves. He loved simply, yet extravangantly. His love ran the gamut--from sharing simple meals with the disciples to dying on the Cross for their sins and ours (all of this was in an attitude of servanthood [Philippians 2:4-8]). He wants us to love the same way--purely, honestly, simply and extravagantly! The new Testament Church understood that message and they held to that standard. They shared ALL that they had (Acts 2:44,45). Think of Paul, in 2 Corinthians, the 8th Chapter, commending the Macedonian saints for their giving. They weren't rich. In fact, he says, " their deep poverty abounded" but in the midst of their poverty and their "great trial of affliction", they begged ("with much entreaty") to give more to the saints who had need, too! "Things" don't equal love, but giving out of your need, shows that your heart abounds in love. Motives matter, too. People give for a multitude of reasons! Remember 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? "I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love." In other words, your heart is showing--people may not see or care about your motives, BUT GOD DOES!
Here are examples of giving--without love. A husband cheats on his wife, and buys her expensive jewelry, so that she will overlook the offenses. A man/woman wants to be recognized by "important" people in philanthropic organizations--what's the best way? Make a large donation--it's giving, but not motivated by love, it doesn't really cost them anything. What they acquire is worth more to them than what they give. Even in our churches, would we give sacrificially (some of us), if there wasn't a line for everyone to see that you are giving? And how does that leave those who are unable to give to that extent, feeling? It separates and divides. Why not just have everyone give sacrificially, altogether--what really is the purpose of that? Giving is personal. I believe it should be done in secret (Matthew 6), other than the purpose of the church's record-keeping, there is no reason for "thy left hand to know what thy right hand doeth". I am concerned that too much is done for the wrong reason--and again, our motives do matter.
What are our responsibilities to each other?
1.) Love One Another--that should be a settled fact in our minds. (Note: When LOVE is pure, it encompasses every other commandment and you don't have to worry about focusing on each and every possible offense--love WILL guide you. [Matthew 22:40])
2.) Willingly Bear the Burdens of One Another--"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the Law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
3.) Pray for One Another--As Christ prayed for the disciples, and taught them to pray--He was our example.
4.) Esteem One Another MORE HIGHLY THAN YOURSELF.
5.) Show Yourself Friendly. Be hospitable. Go the extra mile. Extend yourself--it doesn't mean be a doormat, but be a blessing. Look for opportunities to bless others--if it's just a word of encouragement, or a smile.
6.) Fellowship. We don't do a lot of this. It is societal I believe--as times change, we grow further and further apart. Extended families--really are extended. Everyone wants their own time and space. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are the family of God--and we need to spend time together, getting to know each other. We can't do that in worship service. We need social events: picnics, dinners, movie nights, etc.--whatever it takes, for us to become a family, bonded and cohesive.
When there is a breach:
What do we do when something has occurred to cause a separation between us and a brother/sister in Christ? What should our response be? Does it matter whose fault it is? How do we handle these things?
There are answers to these things outlined in the Word of God, too. We must utilize them, if we want to be blessed--and to win our brother/sister. Be willing to stand in the gap. Lay aside your pride and go to your brother or sister--remember nothing else that you do matters to God, until you have done ALL that you can to fix that relationship. You're just "sounding brass", until then. Your singing, preaching, testifying--all of your work in the church is for nought ( as far as YOU are concerned) if your relationships are fractured, and you have made no attempts to repair them. Brotherly love says, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him', and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." (1 John 2:4-11)
Here are the steps for repairing the breach:
1.) "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
2.) "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother, But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven."
An important point to state--perhaps the most important one, is that ALL of this is fixable--easily. Don't allow pride, fear of rejection, or anything to keep you from the work of healing your relationships. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). It is a trick of the enemy to get us to think that it is impossible to change these situations, so it's hopeless! It isn't, I know that it isn't--it is a risk. What risk? Everyone won't be ready for change--some may reject you or change, but most won't. Even those who will, if they are truly Spirit-filed, they will eventually come around--plant the seed. I mean, really, "What would Jesus do???"
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