The Benefits of an Authentic Church Community Set Apart to Jesus

The Benefits of an Authentic Church Community Set Apart to Jesus

We all desire to be loved. Life is more bearable when we have a community of friends and family that express their love and encouragement to us on a regular basis. I know what it is like to have a Church community and what it is like to be separate from those in the Church I used to consider friends and extended family. My desire is for the former as it fills a great God given need to be in relationship with other believers in Jesus.

There is also another great need beyond the love of a Church community. Only God can meet my desire to be loved supernaturally. It’s not just enough to know Jesus went to the cross to pay for my sin. I had to embrace the sacrificial love behind His work so it would affect me to the point of wanting to take part in daily acknowledgement of my new identity in Christ. I needed to surrender myself to Him in order to allow for the Holy Spirit to begin a lifetime of transformation that continues to this day to set apart my heart and mind to God and His desires for my life. Through Jesus’ supernatural love I am changed man. My true identity should be in Christ more so than anything else I do or say that I am. Many people can acknowledge Christ in their lives but are they really changed? Faith and works do work together so as to represent a life that has been changed from the inside out. 

 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead

 (James 2 17).  

I want my identity and works to represent my new self, 

 created to be like God in true righteousness and Holiness  

(Ephesians 4:24),  

which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator

 (Colossians 3:10).

Does ones attitude and reason for their work for God come out of their gratitude, obligation, or even to earn favor and salvation from God? Everyone may have a different answer but it is the churches responsibility to teach about faith and works. You see people can be put to work for God by the Church but are they really being taught to be disciples (Students) of Jesus? What’s the point of working for God if it is only ones desire is to earn favor or salvation from Him? First of all, no-one can earn God’s favor or their salvation. Only through Jesus can one be rescued for eternal separation from God. No one can transform themselves.  Only through the work of the Holy Spirit can one be changed from the inside out. Transformation is a supernatural work of God because human nature is self-focused, sin-natured and vulnerable. Regardless of what people say, many do good works out of self interest to make a name for themselves even though it is for the benefit of others. Most people when they do good works in any capacity want everyone to know about it. The Church has also taken credit for things only deserving of God’s recognition. The right attitude for ones work for God should be out of love for the one who saved them, and out of love to help others in their time of need.  Love is the only right attitude and reason for doing good works.

Speaking of the true Church of God: Only God can raise up an authentic  Church community, build upon its numbers and increase its effectiveness in the world. This is done through the power of the Holy Spirit training leaders who train followers of Christ to follow Christ and not the world. Following Jesus requires people to die to self-interest and to put the interests of others and the will of God ahead of their own. God does not call for the church to make a name for itself. Christ is the only name that should be praised in the context of works because His works are the ones we are given mission and privilege to support. Jesus’ Great Commission does not say, go and save the people.

Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Saving people is the supernatural work of God.  We are to go and help make those saved, disciples, once they have become followers of Jesus. Also, we are participate in their outward profession of faith through Baptism as well as teach those new believers to be obedient to the Word of God. People are saved through the supernatural power of God because only He is able to reach the mind and hearts of those separated from Him. Is there a choice, yes, I believe there is. God tried to get my attention for years before I was willing to surrender to His will. I had to read the Old Testament on my own terms and that is where God met me and spoke powerful testimony about Jesus being the Messiah. It is at that point I was convinced Jesus was really the only hope I had in order to be rescued from the sting of spiritual death brought about by my inherited sin. I wanted to know the truth, and through God’s amazing grace, mercy and love, He delivered it to me.

So when I envision a community of believers I see more than just gatherings on one or two days of the week to put on a show for God. I see authentic relationships between people really living out what God has called them to do, treating each other with deep love, respect and compassion day in and day out. I see the study of Gods Word and people being encouraged to apply God's principles to their lives.  I see worship as a lifestyle not just singing songs during a gathering of believers at a Worship Service. I see those people in Christ going out to those who are lost and acting like ambassadors for Christ.  I see Pastors teaching and encouraging their congregations and not beating them up just for the sake of making some trendy changes or trying to be like some Church that God never meant them to be.  I see Churches trusting In God to meet their every need.  I see deep devotion and love for God that is represented at the forefront of any work done in His name.

Worship is more than music. It is the heart of gratitude where one gives their very best in using their gifts and talents for God. It is where the Author and Perfecter of our faith, the audience of one, is praised for His work in every area of the Church community. It is where the Church is known for their identity in Christ over any program, worship experience, or trend that invites stardom and the overshadowing of the Lord Himself. It is where the teaching of God's Word is Spirit inspired and minds are open to the revelation of God.

We live in the age of the Pop culture mentality.  Meaning some Churches want to look hip to the world in order to reach the lost and attract believers. Some in the Church believe the best strategy to attract people to Church is to provide them with the latest trend in Church production, Worship Style, Kids programs, environment etc. Fortunately most unbelievers and believers alike are able to see through trendy facades if that happens to be the case. And when or if unbelievers ever do show up at Church, they really just want to be loved and be surrounded by real authentic community. Community authenticity is truly the work of the Holy Spirit and Authentic community is the outpouring of the fruit of the Spirit. Un-churched people really don’t want to be part someone’s strategic plan to get them to love God because that is what we Christians are supposed to do. They want to find God on their own terms and need a supernatural softening of the heart before they are even ready to move past their own walls of separation and move toward a relationship with God. Many just want to be part of a community that will stand by, minister, and love them while they are on their journey of faith.

Community is important and God desires believers to be in community with other believers. He also warns us not to be yoked with unbelievers in the same way Israel was affected by idol worshiping pagan cultures throughout its History. But just as Jesus went to be with sinners, so should we too reach out to the lost to deliver the Gospel of Hope. We should be also be aware that a real problem for the Church is the infiltration of non-biblical worldviews that forgo truth in favor of false belief systems. These misinterpretations and watering down of God’s Word can cause much damage to those seeking the truth. We should not cause any one to stumble nor to be led astray by political cultural correctness. God’s Word is truth and some people are just not going to want to agree with it. In fact, some will reject the truth and persecute those who profess it.

I believe a real authentic Christ–like community of people can affect the world in a positive way.  Authentic Christ-like communities are places where people will get to see Jesus’ disciples in action. They will see believers truly loving and caring for others in the name of Jesus.

Even though many people will still reject God and persecute the Church, it is truly an honor to represent God as His ambassadors and to suffer for Christ and His Gospel.  Authentic Christian communities are at their best when they are in total need of the power of God to accomplish their mission.

Community is a great place to cultivate and partake in but it must be grounded in the Truth of God. Jesus said that apart from Him we cannot do anything.

John 15:4-6 New International Version (NIV)

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

I think most people desire real Community, and there is no better fellowship to be had this side of Heaven, than an Authentic Christ-centered Church where love and Christ take center stage.

^{Just Sayin................Dave}

The Greatest of These is Love (Part 2)

The Greatest of These is Love (Part 2):

Disciples of Jesus are commanded to love and serve God, to love their neighbor, and share the good news of their salvation.

Mark 12:29-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Mark 16:15 NIV

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Followers of Jesus learn that the only way they can be bear fruit for God’s kingdom is with the help of the Holy Spirit. With this understanding we can then be confident that the true source of all that is good and worthy is due to the work of the Holy Spirit, whereby in a Supernatural way, through His power we are changed to become more like Jesus.  We also understand that God desires our steadfast devotion and obedience to Him and not to the idols that we build in our lives.  We must rely on the Holy Spirit to fill us with life, with Christ-like love, wisdom, power and guidance to help us fulfill our mission and purpose for God.

Here are some Bible verses that remind us about the Spirit’s influence in our lives:

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control

Romans 8:5-6 NIV
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

1 Corinthians 2:13 NIV
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

Acts 1:8 (New International Version)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The way we live our lives and by the way in which we love others should be a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. People should know the reason and cause of our transformation into God-centered people. They should know why we act differently, and why we desire to live a life that is dedicated to God. To live God-centered means that we give recognition and glory to God and not ourselves.  In many ways we attempt to die to self-interest for the sake of others and the kingdom of God. We should live spirit filled lives so we can reflect Christ in such a way that others would take notice and hopefully inspire them to seek after the hope we have.   

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV 
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Revelation 4:11 NIV 
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Another way to show love to God is to live in obedience to Him. (Walk with God).  

The life of Enoch is an example of one who walked with God.

Genesis 5:24 NIV 
Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Hebrews 11:5 NIV 
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.

God did not allow Enoch to experience death. We can find an interesting parallel to one who is a follower of Christ in that they as well will not experience spiritual death.

Noah was also a man who also walked with God. God saved Noah and His family from the Flood.

Genesis 6:9 NIV 
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Genesis 7:1 NIV

The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Enoch did not experience death because of God’s providence and the fact that he walked with God (Pleased God). Noah was saved from the flood because of God’s sovereignty and the fact that Noah walked with God. God also recognized that Noah was a man who was righteous and blameless among the people of his time. 

As believers we will not experience the sting of death because of our belief and faith is In Jesus.  Looking back at those who pleased God, I find there is a powerful relationship of obedience, faith and love that God recognizes in one

who He considers a friend (ex. Abraham).

Genesis 15:6 NIV

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

James 2:23 NIV 
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

Receiving God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus pleases God. God is calling us to repent and receive Forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus’ work on the Cross. Obedience to God’s commands and desire For our lives shows Him that we love Him.

Ephesians 1:5 New Living Translation (NLT)

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

1 John 5:3 NIV 
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

2 John 1:6 NIV 
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.                                       

God also commands us to be Holy.

1 Peter 1:16 NIV 

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

We show love to God love when we take His commands seriously.  The command to be Holy is a tall order to fill and and it is impossible for us humans to be fully Holy in this life.  But God does desire our hearts to be fully connected to His

in all areas of our life. This means we all need to consider making some lifestyle changes of the things that are causing us to be separated from Him. With the power from the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will have the strength and desire to

make these changes. And when we live authentically for God we are not only loving Him, we are also modeling real faith and devotion to others as well.

1 John 5:2 NIV  
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

The benefits of a life dedicated to walking with God can have a great and positive impact on us, our families and our friends as well. When we walk with God and follow His precepts we truly possess pearls of wisdom and are fully engaged in a process of being transformed into a person who is becoming more like Jesus.

1 John 2:5-6 NIV 
But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Philippians 2:13 NIV

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Colossians 3:12 NIV   
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,

humility, gentleness and patience.

Galatians 5:13 NIV 
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather,

serve one another in love

We are encouraged to be Christ-like Humble and loving, using our spiritual gifts to serve others:

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV

if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit

and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

I was once a total mess. A totally depraved human being.  Fortunately for me, my ever deepening relationship with Jesus has made a huge difference in my character and in my heart. Others, especially my family, have benefited from these changes in me, even though there are still times even now when I step into the old self and do something stupid.

The cool thing is, I have learned how to love others and desire to display that love more so now than ever before.  Yet this great new journey of life and perspective does not bring about perfection nor is it void of suffering. It is very helpful to remember that as followers of Jesus we are still a work in progress. Until the day we are no

more, we need to continue to mature in our faith and relationship with Jesus. We still need to appropriate Godly wisdom and strive to live a God-centered life.

The greatest change in me has been brought about by God who loved me before I loved Him.

This is truth we must comprehend and take to heart:

John 4:19 New International Version (NIV)

We love because he first loved us.

This is love:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Here is what we are called to do:

Matthew 28:18-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

By sharing the hope we have and what God has done and continues to do in our lives is an act of love for others and shows that we Love God by taking His command to love seriously. In fact, we are to go a step further and are to make disciples. This is not an easy road to take because it goes against a desire in most people to live for self. Making disciples means we dedicate our lives to teaching and training others in the faith over other things they may lead to a more comfortable and stress free life.  We also know that our identify in Christ is risky business because of the World’s hatred for Christians.  But we know that Jesus is worthy of our love, obedience, persecution and suffering.

No matter how good we try to be in this life we could never save ourselves. That is why the greatest act of love is what Jesus did on the Cross. He paid the price for our salvation with His suffering and Blood. His blood covered the sin

We could never pay for. In turn, we are to love God and others in a supernatural way. Love is the most important aspect of who God is. Love should be at the forefront of everything we do.

Remember this one thing:

1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV 

Do everything in love.

Just Sayin……………..Dave