A Communal Pursuit

Introduction:

“HERE AM I”, reference to Isaiah’s call before a court of amaz. angel. beings!

Discussing posture of person who hears from God: Have a >

Humble Spirit, Quiet Mind, Open Heart & >>

TODAY:

A Communal Pursuit

Basing series topics David’s 131st Psalm. reads…

Psalm 131 “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

Want to pt. out something that happens in poetic lit. (in Bible) often.

The Psalmist’s “voice” changes in verse 3 (from 1st person to 2nd). He calls himself & all families to a national trust in Yahweh.

So the seemingly personal commitments shared above (humility, quieting, willing contented’ss): expands outwards to call whole assembly to hope & trust in God!

Ancient times, sang/read aloud by pilgrims coming to worship God in Jerus. Psalm of Ascents

As they prepared for passover near God’s phys. house, they’d sing together about their humility & content hearts.

And they anticip'd, as they drew closer to temple mt., being in God’s presence.

Modern Jews still sing this Psalm of Ascents on a shabbat between Sukkot & Pesach (Passover).

For 1000s of years, childr. of Isr. sing this to prepare their hearts and soul for most holy days; wherein desire to meet w/ God.

And they’d sing & experience God… together

The Church: Designed for Community, Fellowship

“Fellowship”—Gk. κοινωνια [koinonia]: common life, shared experiences

The early disciples shared their lives. They didn’t put up walls or push ppl away bc they were too broken or hurting; cleared & set table for felllowship:

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Today, this looks like, in conjunct’n to churching together…

baking something for a friend, inviting some1 out to a meal/coffee

seeing some1 come in late “hey, sit by me! there’s rooom”

Inviting some1 to church “I’ll save you a seat”

Serving; getting to know a teen or child & their family better

I like the terms the Apostle Paul uses in Romans 12…

Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Share life; share each others’ burdens (Romans 12:15).

Primary term used in scripture to describe relat. between Christians is familial terms: Adelphos (siblings), Hagioi (saints), teknois (children)

I know we don’t always have healthy dependable family relat.

Maybe your own mom/dad was the least dependable person… siblings stab you in back; not people you should look up to nor emulate.

Christ redeems our bio family’s sins as we pursue the ideal in Christ.

The Church should be even better than family.

Be a place of safety & honesty, anchored in true Godly love, where we can test and experiment with what loving God in 21st. C. looks like.

And so, the command or the req. of our NT is that we would >>

Hear from God in Community

God does not only speak when you’re alone!

We need to be ready whenever a moment presents itself; whenever He moves!

Take on the anticipatory attitude of proph. Habakkuk…

Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.”

As he grieves the coming exile to Babylon (as god told him); Hab. stands ready to hear from God.

That word may be spoken when you’re alone or when you… >>

Gather Corporately

Auth. Heb lays cmd. out plainly:

Hebrews 10:24–25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

When His community gathers, we are to be pushing each other toward more love, more unity, more kind acts, and being encouraging.

We are commanded to do this regularly… and to be a contributor!

Paul tells the Colossian church that they will internalize the gospel message when they sing & teach & correct… together (Colossians 3:16).

Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Something miraculous happens when we are all join together with one voice/heart to hear from God and act out His will!

When we declare the truth, god’s kingdom is reinforced & the enemy and his schemes are thwarted.

Did you know that the gospel of Jesus is spir. warfare?!

Other thing of note: AP assumes that the belivers he is writing to are meeting together.

In fact, it would be considered oxymoronic for a believer to NOT be involved with ekklesia!

The Apostle describes the desire of the Holy Spirit & His activity: ORDERLY (1 Corinthians 14:26).

1 Corinthians 14:26 “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”

Paul encourages the believers to be hearing from the HS when they gather — singing, speaking, teaching, & crying out (corporate)!

What can be a very personal experience in community is pauls’ encouragement to >>

Operate in the Spirit’s Gifts

Peter lays out a very practical & universal command for believers in community:

1 Peter 4:10–11 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

I have heard of plenty of “prophets” or “elders” or “evangelists” that have lorded their authority over the people they ‘serve’ and enjoyed it.

People who, without that auth. would probably feel small or disrespected or worthless

Peter radically calls leaders and laity alike to use their gift to SERVE; for the common good, rejecting ego.

No matter the gift or the amt. of auth you hold over others, he says, be willing to lay it down, bend a knee, so that others have what they need.

We cannot obey this command if we aren’t in community with others.

And, this happens best when the HS is in operation in our church.

God wants to use YOU to speak into someone else’s life.

Far too many people reject or don’t seek out God’s gifting in their life.

Miss out on ministry when we aren’t practicing the gifting God gave us.

myCRA, Class 102: Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Paul commands Timothy to cultivate & practice his own spiritual gift. Look how Timothy received or discovered it: 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:14.

2 Timothy 1:6 “…Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”

However Timothy was gifted, Paul challenges him to pursue adeptness, acuity in it. >>

Pursue your Gifting & Practice It

I believe God gives us a Spiritual office to work in that reflects our personality & the needs of the church body.

HOWEVER, God’s not in the business of just keeping us comfortable: he desires obedience!

When we believe we’ve discovered our gifting, act in it. Test it out, operate in it

Not that it gives us any more seniority, but it HELPS OTHERS.

Mindset… mindset!

As you’re in a Penecostal church, believe that God’s spirit has a supernatural experience awaiting you >>

Seek The Holy Spirit

When we’re in community God’s Spirit is also bolstered, moves.

We can hear from God when we’re together & using our gifts.

Joe or Richelle or Rhonda might have a word from Lord; discern it & heed it if applicable

Bob or Jay or Kristen might be called to bring consolation, encouragement; receive it!

I Need to Listen for the Holy Spirit!

1 Corinthians 2:10–11 “these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

The Way we can know God’s heart is by hearing/feeling how His Spirit wants to move

To be guided by His will/way; never just our own—always influenced by His guiding principles

The Holy Spirit primarily dwells in His people; uses His people.

We Can’t Do it Alone!

What is the Spirit doing in your Family Life?

How is the Spirit moving you to grow close to Church Family? Shouldn’t be separate things…

Growing apart? See conflict, busyness, lack of time/prior’y separate relat’s…

how are we addressing it? BOLDness? Excuses? Just… let it simmer, go away?

Prayer focus

Committal?

Altar time?

Salvation call?