I sensed there was a whole new feel to this idea of church.
Because it had been experienced within a changing but fundamentally similar structure for about 2,000 years - and how many generations is that ??? we find it hard to even consider anything else it unsettles us and leaves us feeling insecure. But much of church life was shaped by Constantine when he decided that as persecution hadn't extinguished the church then "if you can't beat 'em, let's join 'em." And church developed within that mindset by people seeking a system that would work, not seeking God.
But I experienced the reality of church being a lifestyle - not a service; being your whole character not your Sunday morning smile. Being your daily bread - not your Sunday morning picnic
Jesus said He would build His church and He wants us to live kingdom life.
As we seek to live kingdom - church will become manifest in the way He wants it to without us necessarily realising it. And in the new expression of church we have only touched the hem of His garment so far.
Job 26 v 14 says "these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" although it is talking about the wonders of creation at this point, the truth holds good. If we have only touched the outer fringes of His workings with the church, and only heard a faint whisper of what He would say about it, how much more is in His heart and can we contain or comprehend the thunder of His power ?? Will we choose to walk in faith and follow his voice when He calls us or do we get unsettled and want to hold onto what we understand and know even if it is hemming in our spiritual growth?
Because it had been experienced within a changing but fundamentally similar structure for about 2,000 years - and how many generations is that ??? we find it hard to even consider anything else it unsettles us and leaves us feeling insecure. But much of church life was shaped by Constantine when he decided that as persecution hadn't extinguished the church then "if you can't beat 'em, let's join 'em." And church developed within that mindset by people seeking a system that would work, not seeking God.
But I experienced the reality of church being a lifestyle - not a service; being your whole character not your Sunday morning smile. Being your daily bread - not your Sunday morning picnic
Jesus said He would build His church and He wants us to live kingdom life.
As we seek to live kingdom - church will become manifest in the way He wants it to without us necessarily realising it. And in the new expression of church we have only touched the hem of His garment so far.
Job 26 v 14 says "these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" although it is talking about the wonders of creation at this point, the truth holds good. If we have only touched the outer fringes of His workings with the church, and only heard a faint whisper of what He would say about it, how much more is in His heart and can we contain or comprehend the thunder of His power ?? Will we choose to walk in faith and follow his voice when He calls us or do we get unsettled and want to hold onto what we understand and know even if it is hemming in our spiritual growth?
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