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Church: The Ultimate Potluck

7/7/2010

8 Comments

 
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Potluck. A meal shared among friends where everyone brings enough of a dish to share with others, and no one person is responsible for everything. I just hear the word “potluck” and start to salivate. I can't help it. Every potluck I've been to has had great cooks bringing amazing dishes.  If you'll excuse me, I may need another helping of Sis. Mary's savory Swedish meatballs...

According to the scriptures, church is suppose to be a lot like a spiritual potluck. It's suppose to be a time of mutual edifying, giving, and receiving, and everyone should bring something. Paul summed up a church gathering like this:  "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

The church Jesus Christ came to build is dynamic and flexible. It has survived poverty, persecution and prosperity. People have met together in temples, in restaurants, by rivers and from house to house, every day of the week and sometimes twice on Sundays. And the purpose of us gathering together is for mutual benefit. Like a potluck, you bring something and I'll bring something. We'll actively encourage each other and we'll glorify God together. It is not a program for spectators.

Is there any part of our physical bodies we don't want working properly? I doubt it. In like manner, Christ wants all of his body functioning together under his direction. Each member of that body (eyes, ears, feet, hands, etc, ) has a place and a purpose. And that purpose is to edify one another, not to merely occupy a pew. We grow when we give to and receive from each other. Consider this exhortation about why we gather together:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25.

By God's design, church is very participatory. The word “fellowship” by definition involves “partnership” and “participation.” When we gather together in Jesus name, we should all come together prepared to edify each other. Teachers should teach. Prophets should prophesy. Exhorters should give words of exhortation. Does this sound off the wall? Please read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4, and see if you still feel that way.  Concerned about how this works in an orderly way?  We'll talk about that soon.  For now, know this: you are a valid and important part of the church and have worthwhile things to share.

I started ChristianHomeChurch.com as means of edifying the church to be the church. I plan to write, create videos, and invite others to contribute as well. If you have a comment, question, or a concern, please send an email and we'll address it in future posts. Let's pursue God together, both giving and receiving so that everyone will benefit.

So this is what I brought to the potluck. What did you bring?
8 Comments
Brenda link
7/7/2010 11:02:43 am

Hey Pat;

I love reading your writing. Thanks for sharing the Potluck message with me today.

Reply
Benoit Couture link
7/7/2010 10:51:13 pm

Christ lives in us, we are His body on earth.
His flesh and His blood live in us and when we meet, we need to eat the flesh of our Lord and to drink His blood from one another.
The Holy potluck of Christ-Jesus and His people goes on and on from eternity to eternity as we go on to gather in His name by His presence...Amen to God's Yes in us all...

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Jeanne link
7/9/2010 02:46:10 am

Hi Pat!

Love this analogy!!! Another thought to consider is that as each one spends time preparing that pot luck dish, so each one should prepare spiritualy for a time of gathering together as the church. Oh- I thought of you this last week as my husband and I traveled through your old stomping grounds- we were in P Spgs. But you have moved on to warmer pastures!

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Pat Sipperly link
7/9/2010 07:07:15 am

Thanks for the comments everyone. And well put, Jeanne. I'd say what you're describing is our responsibility to one another as saints of God.

And yes, we're in a warmer place now. I've spent a fair amount of time in Pagosa Springs. Beautiful scenery!

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Albert Hallado link
7/9/2010 07:34:11 am

Hi Pat,

Great post Bro. I love the concept of spiritual potluck as it said on the bible "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Again great post and thank you so much for sharing. Take care.

God bless you and yours,

Albert

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Jamie
11/22/2010 07:25:59 am

What a wodnerfull picture of the love feast of Christ Jesus our LORD. The body of Christ in real action. Every part doing his or her part. We so need a great awakenning in our times in the body of Christ to this truth. I am so blessed to have read this article and am craveing this kinda fellowship with the saints of God. My husband and I have been praying and seeking the LORD to bring others into our path to envite into our home to have fellowship with. God bless you for sharing this truth with us all.

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Raydel Mena
4/25/2011 12:16:47 pm

nice to have brothers and sisters on the web. We must stay encouraged and strengthened in the Lord never ever give up on Him. He never gave up on us.

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Jesse Imgrund
4/30/2017 10:45:17 pm

Hallelujah! Body Ministry at last. I believed on the Lord Jesus Jan 1992. I almost did not believe as the day Inbeleived, I first had gone into a modern church and left weeping at the hypocrisy. Within 6 hrs hitchhiking, the Lord sent a true believer. I believe on the Lord Jesus, After riding with him for under an hour and just listening to a man who was not at all religious but had this incredible story and reflection of Jesus in his life. He never prayed with me or even asked me if I believed or if I wanted to believe. Honestly the whole drive he just talked amazing stories of Jesus in his life. When he dropped me at an exit as I was getting out I believed on the Lord Jesus and immediately I was filled with power from above and my life has been what that man shared of his life.

The Lord lead me to a sheep farm for approx 3 years where I grew in wisdom and understanding of the scriptures, and body ministry as you have described. I look forward to more corspondence. We are establishing a body ministry in Pahoa Hawaii If any are drawn to labor with us let me know.

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