Reviving our hearts

Very thankful to attend a gathering of the saints from southern NH & ME, with a handful from northern MA, and even a family from Conn. last Saturday in Kittery, Me. Thanks Rick, Steve and Tom for putting this together. It is a very spiritually fulfilling thing to witness everyone operating in the gifts they have received to bless others. I believe that we are responding to Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-23 for relational unity when we organize this type of gathering. The emphasis is not on public sharing but rather on people having fellowship with whoever they wish. It is instructive to me to realize how much behind the scenes work goes into making this happen. It requires patient, painstaking development of trust and relationship with people whom one does not know initially, usually over a period of years, in order to persuade them that you are not trying to start a house church denomination or tell them what to do or take over. Rather you desire to offer encouragement and hope for mutual edification.
Sunday I had the joy of traveling with two young brothers (usually I go alone) to visit a group in Enfield, CT. Reminded them of the truth that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us (Romans 8:26-34) and encouraged them to attend the next New England regional gathering. (Hopefully in April) On the way back Alex shared his heart about desiring to truly know God, not just know about Him, and the progress he is making toward that end. It was encouraging, stimulating and challenging. The generations need each other. May the Holy Spirit revive our hearts and truly make Him first. "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24ESV)

Leader less?

In this post i am responding (indirectly) to a blog post by a brother whom I respect and appreciate. Drawing from Jesus' words in LK 22:24-27, where He responds to a dispute among the apostles over who is the greatest, our brother uses this passage to dismiss the concept of servant leadership, and to assert that there is no true leadership save that of the Lord Himself. (One head, one body) Certainly Jesus is the only Lord, and we have great practical difficulty with this however much we may agree in theory because Lordship is not an American cultural concept, and we tend to think and respond culturally. However to take this passage to say that there is no human leadership seems problematic at best. The position taken illustrates the danger of taking one passage, emphasizing it, and downplaying, in this case, many others. Yet the best of us probably do this on a regular basis. It takes a lot of work and study to search out every possible verse and passage that may bear upon a given subject, and come to a Spirit led harmonization of them all. With more difficult questions this may take months or even years.
As I read the comments to our brother's blog post & his responses I see that he is saying that we may influence one another as long as we don't force it, with which position I heartily agree. We are not to cajole or coerce one another. however i think there are other Scriptural themes that can provide boundaries to leadership abuse. One is the theme of brotherhood in Christ, which is eternal. In contrast, any leadership role in this life ends with that life, if not sooner. Another boundary is the theme of consensus. In our group we believe in elder guided, as opposed to elder dominated, consensus. We understand that the Lord can speak through anyone in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. A third boundary is the priesthood of all believers. So I cannot accept the idea that no believer has a leadership role but rather that we look carefully at the person's humility, godly character, and maturity over a period of time before allowing ourselves to receive influence from that person.

Cross- Pollination

Several months ago the brothers in our fellowship began to examine the question of how we make decisions as a group. Eventually this led to agreement on elder guided consensus. Although we have men who are doing what elders do (shepherd, teach the Word, guard against false teaching & wolves) we, as with most house churches with whom I am familiar, haven't examined the NT process for how to recognize elders. While I could have taught this myself, I felt it better to ask someone from outside our group to do this. We settled on a humble, Biblically literate, godly young brother named Nathaniel. It took several months to put it all together but last Sunday he and his wife Eden came to our group. Nathaniel gave a detailed, mature understanding of the need for elders (what they do), their qualifications, and a three part process (initiation, consideration, conclusion) of how to recognize and come to consensus on who they should be. Asking him to do this honored him, utilized gifting and experience that the Lord gave to him, and provided an introduction to our group, many of whom did not know him. We call this cross-pollination, and for those in small, often isolated home groups, I consider it vital for spiritual health. It isn't very efficient but the fruit is good. If we can get to know one another and develop trust and relationship, then we can pool our varied gifts and experience together to build the kingdom.
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you- that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." (Paul the apostle Romans 1:11-12 ESV)

Triad

Tuesday morning took the T to Gary's hacienda (Harvard). Got into Romans 8, looking particularly at what God has done for us in Christ as revealed by verses 31 to 39. God not only gave us His only Son, but all things. He has elected and justified us, and both Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede for us before the Father. What better prayer partners could one ask for? And nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. That's wonderful news.
Wednesday evening had the privilege of fellowshipping with Brazilian believers in Topsfield. They gave me a handout of a ten plus page Bible study that they are embarking on, saturated with Scripture. These are married couples, some with children, who are willing to set aside a midweek evening after having worked all day, travel up to an hour if necessary, in order to study and apply the Bible together. I wonder how many American Christians one could persuade to do the same.
Thursday the Holy Spirit orchestrated a full day of visiting with three different brothers, one young, one middle-aged, and one seasoned veteran. Josh and I are working through 1 Timothy, and examined the passage on deacons in chapter 3, leading to a good discussion on this and related topics. I was very blessed to learn that he is ministering to others in the spirit of 2 Tim. 2:2.
Tom and his wife Carolyn are life long missionaries who ministered in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Russia. They continue to fight the good fight, to finish the race and to keep the faith. ( 2 Tim. 4:7) through forty-eight years of marriage. There aren't many like them. Bill is a friend of many years. I am thankful for his hospitality, serious questions, and perseverance in the light of the most prolonged physical suffering that I have ever witnessed.
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." ( 2 Tim 2:24-25a ESV)

Accelerating

As the New Year continues I have a sense of acceleration in the Spirit, that He is moving on people's hearts and making things happen. Saturday morning had an opportunity to fellowship with M. T., with prayer and Biblical discussion of some points pertaining to eldership. Always a treat to get into the Word with someone like him.
Sunday morning visited a group in Dorchester. Warm fellowship and a good word and a nice collation. In the evening I visited a group in Quincy who are experimenting with a once a month outreach at the library of a local school. They also serve at a homeless shelter. Taylor preached on the gospel, a neglected topic sometimes. Meanwhile our group in Cambridge enjoyed a rich time in the Lord looking at the theme of trusting in Him.
This morning had the pleasure of breakfast with our brother Chris from CT. He is a reflective thinker, willing to look at things from different angles. I appreciate his fellowship.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Truth & Love & Memorization

Since I have probably discussed these topics in prior postings I'll spare you the song & dance. It's just that the Lord is laying these themes on my heart again. Emphasizing truth (the word of God cf. John 17:17) without love leads to dessicated doctrinal arguments, and oftentimes, condescending elitism ("I know what the Bible says, and you don't.) Emphasizing love without truth tends to lead to moral anarchy. The Bible shows a balance between the two. Ephesians 4:15 says we are to "speak the truth in love." "I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady-- not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning--that we love one another." (2 John 4-5 ESV) "Love rejoices with the truth." (1 Cor. 13:8)
Over the past twenty years I have probably spoken to a hundred individuals or groups, urging, appealing, suggesting that they consider memorizing portions of the Word of God. Where do I get this idea? "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11) "Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips." (Prov. 22:17-18) How did Jesus respond to the devil's temptations in the wilderness after fasting forty days? "It is written. Cf. Verse 4,7 & 10. Each time Jesus responded with memorized Scripture.
One I am currently working on is Jude 20-21. "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

The Door Opening God

"Life up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in." (Ps. 24:7 ESV) And where the King enters, His disciples may follow. It seems a short time ago that I was lamenting closed doors and underemployment in the Kingdom. But God is faithful. He has opened a door in R. I. with a precious couple who desire to start a ekklesia. He has opened another door with a group of Brazilian believers close to my current abode. He has opened a third door with another group in Cambridge. He is doing good things all around the Boston area. Thank you, Jesus.
Experienced a wonderful time of mutual edification (cf. Romans 1:11-12) yesterday. We were blessed with many visitors including Jim & Marilyn from Memphis, Ross and Trina, an itinerant couple in ministry, my friend Russ, and our faithful brother Freddie. Each one had something to give to us from the Lord.
Reading in 1 Peter I came across a verse that i have certainly read at least a hundred times. Yesterday it jumped off the page. At one time I got excited by doctrinal verses. This one speaks to the heart that we need to have in Christ.
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind,sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8 ESV) May it be so in our lives, Lord.

Allowed to Worship

When I contemplate the infinite holiness, grandeur, majesty, and awesomeness of God and contrast that with the finite, sinful, "dust and ashes" of myself and the rest of humanity, it is incomprehensible that God allows us to worship Him. It seems He would be perfectly justified in saying there is no way that I am going to give you people this privilege. And yet we know that He delights in our praise, adoration, reverence, and worship and encourages us to do so, something that we often take for granted. "Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted, his majesty is above earth and heaven." (Ps. 149:12-13 ESV) "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" (Ps. 150:6 ESV)
I believe that His encouragement for us to praise Him fits into His ultimate purpose, that He be glorified. Something which would be the height of hubris for any created being to receive is His due. If the scenes of worship depicted in the Book of Revelation in chapters 4.5,7,11,14,15 & 19 provide any clue, then a central part of what we will do in the eternal state is praise and worship. I suspect that John 17:3 builds a foundation for this. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." If I am interpreting this correctly then we will receive a continually unfolding revelation of who God is throughout eternity. Our only possible response will be worship.

God's Right

As I reflect on the question of why God does or does not do certain things, I am brought back to the truth that God is the Creator, and that He can do what He wishes. Psalm 24:1 is a clear statement of ownership. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." (ESV) When Job questions God, His response (over the course of several chapters) boils down to "have you created all these things?" Job responds, "I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Jb. 42:3a ESV)
When Peter questions Jesus about John's ultimate fate, the Lord responds, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22 ESV) Finally Paul asserts clearly in Romans 9 God's right to do what He wishes with what He has made. "But who are you, o man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory..." (Romans 9:20-23 ESV)
If I have basic freedom to write whatever in this blog, then surely an infinitely holy and righteous God has complete freedom to do what He wishes with humanity.

Praying For Us

While studying a portion of Romans 8 with a brother on Thursday, I was reminded of the wonderful news that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus pray (intercede) for those who have placed their trust in Christ. What wonderful news! "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." I am reminded of the verse in Psalm 103 that says, "For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (v.14 ESV)." Even in our weakness we are supported in prayer. We often ask others to pray for us, and it is one of the most loving and best things that we do for one another, but the reality that divine prayers are going to the Father on our behalf is of vast encouragement and consolation. Romans 8 goes on to say that "Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (v.34 ESV) Jesus at the right hand of the Father, praying for you and me; it doesn't get any better than that. We also read that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us because He has a permanent priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-25, and that he serves as an advocate for us before the Father. (1 John 2:1)
A exhilarating example of Jesus praying for us is found in John 17, especially starting in verse 20 where he says, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word..." (v.21) That's us. He goes on to ask that we might enjoy the same unity and depth of relationship that He and the Father revel in.
Celebrated the coming of the New Year with some gracious Brazilian brethren last night.