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Church Fellowship - A Dying Art?

3/12/2012

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Church Fellowship In Chandler Arizona
How well do we know each other in the Kingdom of God? Are we well acquainted enough to share our burdens and confess our faults to other believers like the Bible talks about? I'd say that's not the case in the modern church. Instead, most of us have been taught that church is a Sunday event and church fellowship is a hand shake or a wave between pews. And don't ever fellowship with that other denomination!

The house church has it's own set of challenges. At least in a denominational church, most everyone shares common beliefs. In home churches, people from all walks of faith and beliefs come together, usually with doctrine front and center. When we disagree, too often we bail and go look for another group. We never really get to know each other and why we believe what we believe.

If there's one thing God has been showing me recently, it's the value of fellowship and having a long-term perspective.
Fellowship by definition involves some important ingredients:

1. Companionship; society; consort; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms;


2. Partnership; joint interest; as fellowship in pain.


3. Company; a state of being together.


Christ designed his church around relationships; first with himself, then our families, then each other. He has gifted us to edify one another, and to function as individual members, yet together as part of a singular body. You're a hand, he's an ear, she's an arm, I'm a knee, etc., We are placed together according to his design and purpose.


But our usefulness to each other is based on how close we are to Christ, and how close we are to each other. If we're distant from either, we won't be effective ministers.


We Americans tend to be time and results oriented. We give a stranger on the phone or at our front door nano seconds to get to the point, don't we? That's me to a “T”. We're busy, we're trying to get things done so we can move on to the next thing.


Are we sometimes like that when it comes to our church fellowship too? Do we faithfully go to church, but even before we sing the first song we're already thinking about what we're going to do with the rest of the day? Do we ever look at relationships as just too much work?


Real church fellowship is a dying art from my perspective. Relationships take time, they can hurt, and can push us out of our comfort zones. Even with the best of intentions we'll be misunderstood, our charity will be taken advantage of, and our kindness mistaken for weakness. In short, fellowship can be messy, but it's also a gold mine of blessings!


James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.


Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.


Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.


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When we meet together as a church here in Chandler, Arizona, we start by sharing a meal. We talk about our week, our families, plans and pursuits. Then afterward, we get into the word, pray for each other and so on. Sometimes, even through the week, we'll share prayer requests or we'll meet at a restaurant and just have dinner together. It's never time wasted; it's an investment.


We're different people, in different stages of life, but we're coming to love one another deeply. And here's something else: we're building trust. Trust helps us to be vulnerable to each other, to ask for prayer about needs and situations, and to confess our faults to one another.

Looking at my own life, I've been so doctrinally focused sometimes, that I've missed the other equally important aspects of the kingdom of God like fellowship. I chose to dwell on our disagreements rather than on where we did agree.  I overlooked the person and the friendship while trying to win an argument. 

May I urge us all to reconsider the importance of church fellowship? Set the program aside and get to really know the other believers around us. Invite people into our lives and forget trying to sway others over to our doctrinal view for a season. Let trust and the genuine love of Christ develop in our hearts, and let's see what God will do with all of us!

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.   (Ephesians 4:1-3)


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Mormon Commercials And Organizational Identity

3/1/2012

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Have you seen the Mormon commercials on TV and the billboards along the highways? It seems there is a strong move to freshen up the LDS image. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that Mit Romney, a devout Mormon, is running for president.

I'm not bashing Mormonism here. From a marketing perspective, I think the ads are well made. Rather, I'm looking at the core of the ads. “Hi, I'm Everyday Joe, from Anywhere, USA. I surf, ride a bike and live in a house. And I'm a Mormon.” What I get in the ads is the importance of a corporate identity. Frankly, I see no difference between what these LDS commercials present and whenever I hear someone say, “I'm a Baptist” or “We're Catholics,” or “We belong to Central Christian.” Really? Does that matter at all? More people are realizing that the organization isn't what's important including many Mormons like Brandon Pearce. He wrote about his journey in Why I Left The Mormon Church.

Did Jesus ever promote organizational identity? If he did, I must have missed it. Labels, denominations, and Bible school credentials mean nothing. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ isn't defined by a lapel pin, bumper sticker, or where we gather to worship. Take a look at just a few things that do matter to Jesus:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:31)

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

(John 13:35)

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:16-18)

Do people see those signs in our lives?

Interesting that there's no talk of big brick buildings or temples mentioned. No talk of denominations or how to start a 501(c) 3 non-profit ministry.

And what about following big name personalities? How many of us race to be a part of Dr. Rev. SoAndso's Ministry? The Mormons elevate Joseph Smith. Catholics elevate a Pope. Others flock to where Dr. Rev. SoAndso is holding a crusade. Should we swarm to certain people? Let's see what Paul had to say about that...

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:3-7)

Speaking of personalities, there is a common misreading of Matt. 28:19-20. I've heard people say that we are to “go and make disciples.” That's not what the Bible says. Have a look:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.


We are not to make disciples, we are to teach truth. It's the truth that makes us free. The focus should always be on Christ and his Word, not on us. Consider this warning from Paul:


For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:29-31)


Joseph Smith, the Pope, Mary the mother of Jesus, and every Christian Celebrity was born in sin and is in need of the Savior. Every one of us is fallible and capable of wickedness and even of being false prophets. Beware of those who add to the word or take away from it! That warning is to all of us – not just Mormons.
    (See Which Bible?)

Our organizational identity or church affiliation means absolutely nothing. We will all individually stand before God and give an account of ourselves. No cardinal or church elder will be standing with us. Our works will be judged according to the Word of God, not a denominational handbook.


We're not special or chosen because we belong to a certain denomination or even because we're "non-denominational" and meet as a church in our house. If we don't have a love of the truth and follow God with all my heart, we'll be lost.


Slick ad campaigns like the Mormon commercials with wholesome imagery isn't truth. Religious organizations don't save us and shouldn't be where our allegiance is found. May people call us “Christians” because they can't help but see Christ in us. Our daily witness, in word and deed, should proclaim the power of God, not what organization we belong to.


Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)
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