"The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple" (Ps. 119:130).
This post is by request and is about 'ideas' to help churches operate smoothly and efficiently according to the Biblical example. This does not address how church is done today, therefore, it will not make sense of church today but will only make sense if the examples of Jesus and the early Church are revisited.
The Church only works fluidly (effortlessly, in unity, in power) when it is built on the Person of Jesus Christ, the living Person who died in the past but is alive today and right now: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). Jesus revealed the Father. The Church works when it is built on a foundation of revelation or currently-proceeding understanding-- today's manna, not manna from yesterday.
When the disciples returned to Jesus after preaching the Gospel with power, He praised God saying, "I thank You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Lk. 10:21). When Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you... for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but My Father in Heaven" (Matt. 16:17). The only real way God teaches us is by unfolding (revealing) His Word. Here is a simple example of revelatory teaching interrupting 'church as usual':
Pastor Bob is preaching a sermon when a little girl shouting disrupts him. The girl's mom hushes her, but Pastor Bob asks her what is wrong. She points over at a pouting little boy sitting near her and complains that he doesn't like her. Pastor Bob calls the little girl and boy up on stage and explains to them that they are to see each other as brother and sister and therefore as friends. He gets them to shake hands, and they return to their seats both in a better mood. Then Pastor Bob turns to the congregation and begins to tell them, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a little girl who pursued a little boy. He wasn't interested in her and rejected her, and her heart was broken. Later as an adult, he bumped into her. She was very attractive, and he took interest in her. But she was already married and wasn't interested in him. So then, seek God while He may be found; receive Him while He is still pursuing you, because a time will come when He will no longer pursue you, and it will be too late for you to turn to Him."
This post is by request and is about 'ideas' to help churches operate smoothly and efficiently according to the Biblical example. This does not address how church is done today, therefore, it will not make sense of church today but will only make sense if the examples of Jesus and the early Church are revisited.
The Church only works fluidly (effortlessly, in unity, in power) when it is built on the Person of Jesus Christ, the living Person who died in the past but is alive today and right now: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8). Jesus revealed the Father. The Church works when it is built on a foundation of revelation or currently-proceeding understanding-- today's manna, not manna from yesterday.
When the disciples returned to Jesus after preaching the Gospel with power, He praised God saying, "I thank You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes" (Lk. 10:21). When Peter said that Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you... for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but My Father in Heaven" (Matt. 16:17). The only real way God teaches us is by unfolding (revealing) His Word. Here is a simple example of revelatory teaching interrupting 'church as usual':
Pastor Bob is preaching a sermon when a little girl shouting disrupts him. The girl's mom hushes her, but Pastor Bob asks her what is wrong. She points over at a pouting little boy sitting near her and complains that he doesn't like her. Pastor Bob calls the little girl and boy up on stage and explains to them that they are to see each other as brother and sister and therefore as friends. He gets them to shake hands, and they return to their seats both in a better mood. Then Pastor Bob turns to the congregation and begins to tell them, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a little girl who pursued a little boy. He wasn't interested in her and rejected her, and her heart was broken. Later as an adult, he bumped into her. She was very attractive, and he took interest in her. But she was already married and wasn't interested in him. So then, seek God while He may be found; receive Him while He is still pursuing you, because a time will come when He will no longer pursue you, and it will be too late for you to turn to Him."
