Our Devine Appointment

Reaching the unwanted undeserving

Church what should a church really really look like on a typical Sunday morning? Have you really ever pondered that question and thought what a first century church might have looked like back in the day when the word of God was fresh new and having an impact in the lives of people that were hearing the word. In those days when something would happen in Church everyone who know about it within a few hours of that event. Are we afraid of telling other what is happening in our services? Maybe we do not want our friends to thing we are in a radicle church, or maybe we are afraid who might see it and who they might tell. What are we afraid of? I think church should be a place where those who are hurting spiritually, spiritually sick, spiritually abandoned, spiritually neglected, spiritually broken, and on and on.

Acts 11:19–30 “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were f…”

Point 1 Christians Scattered Abroad

It is very sad and dramatic when the events of a group of people can make another group want to disburse and go into hiding. This seems to be very familiar to the Christian Church.

Engel v Vitale in 1962 in New York

this ban stayed in place until challenged in 2022 when a football coach Joseph Kennedy’s prayer were protected by the Constitution.

1973 the christian community had another opportunity to stand up and say enough is enough with Roe vs Wade. the Supreme court struck down the Texas verdict as unconstitutional.

this law stood until 2022 when the supreme court reversed its opinion on roe vs wade.

Why is it that when things get really hard that the Church seems to just stand down or scatter. I think it is because we are a multi denominational group and that we do not fellowship with others that cause us to be unable to stand as a unified body of Christians/believers in Jesus the Christ. We as believers must get past the things that prevent us from doing what is right in the sight of the GOD. No matter if that Fear of what someone thinks about us, or if were afraid of someone’s doctrinal believes’s or what ever the cause that prevents Christians from uniting agains the evil in this world. We must realize that in the end it is light against darkness. Its a spiritual thing.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities of the air and rulers of darkness.

We must pull down the strong holds of the enemy, opening the door for those who are lost to find comfort in the church, where there is no judgement, shame, polarity, or anything else that separates them from us. That thing is called LOVE. Christ said it was the second greatest commandment To love thy neighbor as ourself.

Point 2 God sends Assistance

Each and every time we get to where we start to feel the pressure and everyone is wondering just how are we going to make this work this year or this month, or this week, God always sends us the people that we need. We have prayed for a Worship Leader for a few years, we stopped and just prayed father your will be done in the worship team and its growing. Now I pray for a musician not a piano player, and that Gods will be done in bringing us a musician. I don’t care if they play 6 instruments and have to record the main song and use it and just work off of that God has what we need and when we have needed it. We must continue to trust in Him he is the great provider.

Verse 25

Here we find that Barnabas leaving and going to Tarsus where Saul was sent when he would be threatened. Barnabas saw a need for assistance and went to Saul for assistance. Saul and Barnabas go back to Antioch and would stay and preach the Gospel for a year growing and maturing the church.

Growth and maturity are important aspects if we are going to receive assistance. God expects us to be able to raise up those whom he sends from infancy to teen agers so that they can begin to have solid foods and put into practice the things that they have been taught. We do this through COACHING, TEACHING, AND MENTORING.

COACHING-two ways to coach

Example set the example for someone to follow

Instruct them with skill and knowledge then show them in your life style.

Teaching make the word of God practical to where it can fit todays crisis or troubles

Mentor be with them thru the good and the bad. Praise them in the good times, correct them when correction is needed. But never stop Loving them.

The Key to the Coach Teach and Mentor cycle is LOVE AND COMPASSION.

Point 3

Heed the word of the Phrophet

When someone begins to speak in the prophetic we must as a body discern that spirit (test that spirit) and then accept or not accept that prophecy. When a true prophet speaks we should heed what the prophet is saying. If it requires action on our part then we must move as the spirit of the Lord is directing. it is not always a right this minute thing sometimes it is for something to come. So that we can prepare, just as we have prepared the past few years for where we are today.

point 4

Give graciously.