Charles Spurgeon from "Additions to the Church"-These first believers were in such a conditionthat their homes were holy places. I beg youto notice this, that they were breaking breadfrom house to house, and did eat their foodwith gladness and singleness of heart. They did not think that religion was meantonly for Sundays, and for what men now-a-dayscall the 'House of God'. Their own houses were houses of God, and theirown meals were mixed and mingled with theLord's Supper. They elevated their meals into dietsfor worship. They so consecrated everything withprayer and praise that all around them was holinessunto the Lord. I wish our houses were thus dedicated to the Lord,so that we worshipped God all the day long, andmade our dwellings temples for the living God. Does God need a 'special house'? He who made the heavens and the earth,does he dwell in temples made with hands?What crass ignorance is this!No house beneath the sky is more holy than theplace where a Christian lives, and eats, and drinks,and sleeps, and praises the Lord in all that he does.There is no worship more heavenly than that whichis presented by holy families, devoted to his fear. To sacrifice home worship to public worshipis a most evil course of action. Morning and evening devotion in a cottage is infinitelymore pleasing in the sight of God than all the cathedralpomp which delights the carnal eye and ear. Every truly Christian household is a church, andas such it is competent for the discharge of anyfunction of divine worship, whatever it may be. Are we not all priests? Why do we need to call inothers to make devotion a performance? Let everyman be a priest in his own house. Are you not all kings if you love the Lord? Then makeyour houses palaces of joy and temples of holiness. One reason why the early church had such a blessingwas because her members had such homes. Whenwe are like them we shall have "added to the churchdaily of the saved."
Home Churches?
Chanin,One of the things that has interested me the past few years is the "House Church", "Cell Church","Multi-Housing", and small group church movements throughout the world. I'm with you when you said:"Are we not all priests? Why do we need to call in others to make devotion a performance?"I've had enough of building projects, programs, and PLAYING CHURCH. I want to BE the church, with signs following. ;-) Clutch :-)
Here is half a hymn we sing in our meetings...PART ONE 1 Happy the souls that first believed, To Jesus and each other cleaved; Joined by the unction from above, In mystic fellowship of love. 2 Meek, simple followers of the Lamb, They lived, and spake, and thought the same! Brake the commemorative bread, And drank the Spirit of their Head. 3 On God they cast their every care, Wrestling with God in mighty prayer They claimed the grace through Jesus given, By prayer they shut, and opened heaven. 4 To Jesus they performed their vows, A little church in every house; They joyfully conspired to raise Their ceaseless sacrifice of praise. 5 Propriety was there unknown, None called what he possessed his own: Where all the common blessing share No selfish happiness was there. 6 With grace abundantly endued, A pure, believing multitude, They all were of one heart and soul, And only love inspired the whole. 7 0 what an age of golden days! 0 what a choice, peculiar race! Washed in the Lamb's all-cleansing blood, Anointed kings and priests to God! 8 Ye different sects, who all declare, "Lo, here is Christ!" or, "Christ is there!" Your stronger proofs divinely give, And show me where the Christians live. 9 Join every soul that looks to Thee In bonds of perfect charity; Now, Lord, the glorious fulness give, And all in all for ever live! Charles Wesleyps propriety.. unknown in this sense means 'ownership' not that they were swinging from the chandeleers, although I don't know...
Surely a topic that has come up before here and to be truthful there is a lot of validity on both sides.Some of us are of the opinion that the 'church' can be saved, restored, renovated, revived, repaired, rebuilt..whatever you want to call it.Others are feed up and have pulled out either completely or have gone into the 'house church model'.Sure, I am stating the obvious. I empathise with both. Frankly it's a mess and I am feeling caught in the muck. I have pulled back in recent weeks from attending church and even bible study for reasons I am not even totally sure of, not passivity or ill will...something just isn't right. Been seeking the Lord's direction in ALL things. It's a confusing time, to stay or to go? Hang on or abandon ship? What is it that I am doing to rectify the situation? Where are peoples hearts? Should I go to a different church?Or at all? It's not about me anyway, what would the Lord have us do?Other questions come up; Society is becoming more and more isolated and independent, are we not falling into the same trap by giving up on the local churches?We who are of a serious breath by breath nature of walking with the Lord, is it us who should be attempting to 'rally the troops' or do we draw back because it's just gone to far?If David Wilkerson was to suddenly uproot TSC and plant it in your neighborhood, would you go there?I really don't have the answers, only questions.This much I do know. I only want to do what the Lord want's.Period.If that means staying in the 'system' and praying until He fills the local congregation with His Spirit or tears it to the ground in judgement, what does it matter? Wait, travail, weep, mourn, plead, prophesie, shut-up, sit still or be thrown out. Go to another church, a house church or no 'church'.Are we willing to do what He want's?But, for all that I have this sneaky suspicion that this little excerpt taken from something I received from our brother Lars is happening:"Let us not think, as we plead for revival, that we have to move God to share our concern and burden about the matter. We feel as we do because God has stirred us to share but a fraction of His concern. Our longing is but a feeble, pale reflection of His own. Our exercise of patience should draw us into deeper fellowship with ”the God of patience”, who has manifested such longsuffering towards the sons of men. How long has He waited for us before we began to wait for Him? Let us also remember that for nigh on two thousand years the Son has been at the Father’s right hand engaged in this very ministry of praying and waiting – ”till His enemies be made the footstool of His feet” (Heb. 10:13). ”The Lord direct [our] hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thess. 3:5)."IN THE DAY OF THY POWERThe Scriptural Principles of RevivalBy Arthur Wallis
One of the things that has interested me the past few years is the "House Church", "Cell Church","Multi-Housing", and small group church movements throughout the world.I have also been interested in this, and it is truly a good thing. to be in fellowship with other believers is important in my life. much of what has impacted me over time has come through one of these "small groups."
Society is becoming more and more isolated and independent, are we not falling into the same trap by giving up on the local churches?"where two or three are gathered...""a strand of three is hard to break..."I totally agree. we cannot allow ourselves to separate from other believers. the early church fellowshiped together not just in large meetings, but in it's homes also.
To add a twist to all this.Could it not be said that what we have right here is 'church'?To me it is.Fellowship, meeting together with believer's from all over the planet, daily...Sharing our thoughts and experiences.Sure it has it's limitations, I would gladly feed you all baloney sandwiches if I could get them through my modem without slowing down my connection... :-) It's hard to pick up inflections, to pray, etc.Be we are gathered and in ways that never would have been possible in years past.Thankfully, the Lord had led Greg to start this 'church' if you will, it may not be traditional, it may not be a lot of things.But it is a labor of love from his heart and I for one am glad to have found it and to have found the like hearted members who come to 'church' here.Thanks Greg.
Could it not be said that what we have right here is 'church'?i agree, it is fellowship.
moreofHimI know this will not apply to you but there is a danger in solitariness. One of the old bishops went to see a monk in the days before the monastries. The monk was giving himself to prayer and the subduing of the flesh while living in isolation in the desert. The bishop was impressed but had a single question...but whose feet do you wash?
Hi Ron,Again I like your bottom line:"but whose feet do you wash?"In American English, that translates:"Truth without contact is only religion."ClutchRight brethREN? ( That's brethern without dyslexia) :-D Clutch :-P
Hi Chanin,You said: "But I do believe with all my heart that the Lord is in the process of RESTORATION of His Church. He is slowly getting it back to its original state (the new testament state). He is building/restoring His beautiful Church/Bride one precious stone at a time. He is looking for those who are willing to do whatever He asks of them- to come out from among the apostacy and and do His will."Agreed!The reason that we find so little scripture on how to do church, is that it is more about content than style. Like our musical tastes , much of the time our choices relate more to culture, than any scriptural standard.I believe that when the Word of God is coupled with the Spirit of God, and is reproduced through the man, or woman of God; whatever format you choose to present it in, ITwill work. If ya'll do get something going up in Hebron, maybe you could call it something like the " Cincinatti Airport Christian Fellowship". I could help some on teaching on laughing, and falling down, and I know there are others who are expert on animal sounds. :-D In fact I think I detect some Sacred Cow mooing , even as I type this out. :-D Clutch :-P
:oops:
Chanin,One thing that would help us Western Civiliztion persons, would be to get a better understanding of Covenant. Just like the old song says:"Everybody talkin' 'bout heaven ain't goin there." Everybody talkin' 'bout Covenant ain't goin' THERE either.H. Clay Trumbell wrote a book entitled " The Blood Covenant" about 150 years ago. The Encyclopedia Brittanica recognizes that book as THE single source document on the Blood Covenant.I've read the book several times, and have done other outside study based on the books teaching. I REALLY don't understand the teaching in The Blood Covenant like someone who has been raised in say,an Eastern Culture, where Covenanting is a way of life, taken seriously, and is ingrained into every aspect of daily life.I hope others besides me are following Ron Baileys Devotional, because he is laying a wonderful foundation of understanding about our Spiritual Blood Covenant relationship through Abraham, and Jesus, The Anointed One of Nazereth.Clutch :-)
Mike, Chanin,Shhhhh. I think I hear the lowing of cattle. Don't wiggle Mike; Ron might SEE us. :-DClutch :-P
Chanin,I drove a truck for 6 years, most of that time I spent in the Heartland ( Ohio, Michigan, Indiana,Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, Iowa, Missouri, Texas. I could THRILL you with what I know about the geography of I-75, I-80, I-70, etc., and their subsidiaries. Incidentally, trucking is how I got my nickname ; from the guy that taught me to drive. :-o Clutch :-D
The hard thing is that in a small town like this-everyone is supposedly a "christian". So they think you're nuts for wanting to have a home church. They think your going to be a cult or something. They are very stuck in tradition and don't see any need to change anything.I don't see anything wrong with having a small home group fellowship, but it becomes somewhat unhealthy when you don't want to mix with any other churches or fellowships. The early church met wherever they could and as they grew they had lots of meeting places and fellowship but overall they still had accountablity to the apostles.Personally at this point, I would like it to go to a home group fellowship but the Lord is not leading that way for me :-( Acts 2:42 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. One thing that you can grasp from this passage is that they followed one teaching (apostles), they all meet together corportaly or at least tryed, but at the same time they met seperatly in their homes breaking bread. I think there is a healthy middle ground here, where you can have your own home group, but still be open to participating and helping other churches (body of believers).See Greg, another great reason for this site. We are very grateful for it because of the fellowship and the learning and maturing. yes there is a great facet of fellowship through this site! its not a subsitute but an healthy addition to your fellowshiping in Christian life.I also feel that Institutional Churches are not just tradition, there were churches in the new testament. By Church I am meaning an specified place to meet and worship, give monies (having everything in common), servanthood, etc. There is much good in modern day churches, they are places where people who confess Christ as Lord meet! A home church group after many years will become JUST as traditional as any other modern day church denomination, sad but true. :-D to emphasize: Tradition is NOT bad :-P unfortunatly many teachers these days have catch phrases against structure, religion, church, or anything that even resembles order and control. Tradition without Christ is empty. Religion without Christ is empty. But both with Christ are full of life.
If what you are saying is true, then what I have been doing for the past 2 1/2 years is wrong. :-( no sorry Chanin, it wasn't directed towards you and I am not perfect, I was just throwing out some ideas. I really feel from what I have heard from you that you are a solid believer in Christ, there is no doubting that. And your choice and leading to stay away from churches seems to be God's will yes! It seems He is really being your teacher.. and what fruit.. your daughter especially, precious in the Lord's eyes.He has given me dreams that the church is falling apart. And that we are not to go back to "where we came from"- the same source of learning about religion as before.I always look at these situations in physical but also spiritual ways. I think its primarly an issue of the heart.Sorry I am pretty much fumbling over my words here.. :-( I am in full support of you Chanin and your family, I have been so encouraged by meeting you and your godly example. I think you are special and have very unique and powerful plans that the Lord is going to do through you. This requires maybe for you to be seperate and alone. As ravenhill said: 'great men (women) walk alone' God is our teacher and sufficency.Each will have to let the Lord direct them. I cannot tell anyone they should leave or stay. God must have His purposes for each right now.Yes everyone has different purposes in plans in God's kingdom. In my other post I was stating in broad terms how I feel the church should be in a healthy state, but there is also many different facets of the church in expression in every day life.
yes there is a great facet of fellowship through this site! its not a subsitute but an healthy addition to your fellowshiping in Christian life....that's a wise old head on young shoulders. You've not been rubbing up against that Clutch guy have you?
Chanin, you wroteIt is nice to be loved unconditionally in Christ- don't ya'll agree?!I wonder whether you have heard this Sara Groves song? It's a mother singing to her baby, or is it?You will lose your baby teethAt times you'll lose your faith in meYou will lose a lot of thingsBut you cannot lose my loveYou may lose your appetiteYour guiding sense of wrong and rightYou may lose your will to fightBut you cannot lose my loveYou will lose your confidenceIn times of trial your common senseYou may lose your innocenceBut you cannot lose my loveMany things can be misplacedYour very memories be erasedNo matter what the time or spaceYou cannot lose my loveYou cannot loseYou cannot loseYou cannot lose my love
Ron, yep, we have that c.d. She had a new baby then. It was really hard to grasp this "unconditional love" thing- recieving it from God and giving it to others. If you did not really grow up with much of that- it is hard to get a grasp on. I'm 98% better than before.It is my desire to show others unconditional love- no matter what they've done because -other than Christ changing your heart- there is no other answer for why you are able to freely give it. (now, this does not keep me from pointing out sin sometimes. if we love, then we will lovingly rebuke :-) )In Him, Chanin
It is very rare these days for people not to hold onto the "right to be right". This is the Lord's work in us and nothing else. Chanin, I agree, let stuborness and pridefulness go! I don't want to be right all the time, I want to learn and grow in Christ! I thank you for your open spirit also to recieve the words of the Lord through others. What a wonderful community of believers God has sent to this website.
Hello moreofHim. I had a longer answer thought out but this is all I'm going to write. May the Lord bless you and your family. We have had the same experience and are being challenged in our belief more than ever, but He is faithful. Our daughters are growing tremendously in the Lord it seems every day. I don't know the purpose of this but I trust the Lord.jouko
My favourite OT character is Abigail.1Sam 25 has this conversation between Abigail and David. 26 Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.27 And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.28 I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.29 Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.30 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.32 ¶ And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.All of which, summarised means Abigail told David that he should fight God's battles, and leave God to fight David's. It a great principle. Defend the truth and leave your reputation in God's hands.
Read it- loved it! Thanks Ron. :-)
Hi Ron.Been meaning to bring up some related issues along these lines. Something that has puzzled me in a number of cases in the OT regarding the taking or of having more than one wife.Later on David took Abigal to be his wife along with his remaining wives.Other examples like Solomon did likewise.How do we reconcile this, if a man is to be of one wife and why would God be silent on the matter and even bless David in this situation?Maybe we could open this up under the Scriptual Debates section...
Careful Ron, You're moo-ving into Blood Covenant concepts here,when you said: "All of which, summarised means Abigail told David that he should fight God's battles, and leave God to fight David's. It's a great principle. Defend the truth and leave your reputation in God's hands." ;-) Clutch :-P
Here is a Home Church Message.Christ-The Searcher of Men's Hearts by David Wilkerson.I don't know how to link it but it is on the second page of his sermons. I hope it's there on video soon.jouko
Christ- The Searcher of Mens HeartsHey Jouko,Here is a quick "how to" on doing links:For instance this message."Christ- The Searcher of Mens Hearts"With your mouse highlight the message title.Right click on it and select "Copy Shortcut"(it will be 'held' in that mysterious no mans land)Go to your reply and above the box where you type you will see URL IMG EMAIL QUOTESelect 'URL'.Right click inside that box and select 'Paste'Click 'O.K.'Another box will come up asking you to 'Enter the web site title'Now you can type in the title of the message.You can also leave it blank and just click 'OK' but the message will now look like this:https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=2768If you have Notepad (Windows) what I do is keep it handy (with a shortcut icon) so I can pull it up and copy and paste things back and forth from different pages or websites. It's also helpful for doing long post's and for ...what's that word?Oh yeah, laziness!
Wonders of "techonology". Thanks.
I got recommended this sermon by Todd our long lost friend in cyberspace. He said is was on topic for this thread:A New Israel by T. Austin Sparks
Here is a Home Church Message.Christ-The Searcher of Men's Hearts by David Wilkerson.I don't know how to link it but it is on the second page of his sermons. I hope it's there on video soon.Here is the video its up on the site.. much thanks to brother jouko for getting these up so others can be blessed.Christ-The Searcher of Men's Hearts (video) 79.90 MB
moreofhim, thank you for sharing your experience. I just started getting into websites like this, and it is so refreshing to meet others who love the Lord wholeheartedly, and won't follow tradition just for the sake of following tradition. After searching for a church home, and being disappointed with the lack of fruit, and lack of love (for God and others) my family is doing something similar to what you've described. My family is growing so much more out of church than we did with the weak teachings in church. San Antonio has a lot of pampered, lukewarm churchgoers more interested in making money than obeying God. My mom has been encouraged to hear about your experience, because we just didn't think anyone else was doing what we did. :) God bless you, it seems you really love the Lord wholeheartedly (and we don't have to be pew-warmers to prove that :))
Oilpainter,
I have read through this thread. I would like to share a little bit about what's going on in my life in terms of "church." I am in a lonely place. I sense that I have offended some here with the things that I write. There have been times when I have logged on to this site with dread of what I might encounter with the thoughts that I have shared. Many times I have not been clear. Many times I have not shared in the love of Christ. For that I am sorry. I am in a place of searching for direction in what I must do next. I just read Charles Finney's sermon, "Can Two Walk Together Except They Be Agreed." I've listened to the compilations on this site. I've listened to Art Katz (SP). I am serving as an elder, children's ministry leader, and deacon. I am attending Bible school. I work full time at UCLA. I have a family. The thoughts that I share on this site are also shared in the church. I am not walking in the same direction in my church nor the Bible school because we are no longer agreeing. I believe it is Art Katz who questions the fruit of one's life. Will my works burn? I am so busy doing church programs, works, and classes. And for what? I know that Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes that those who follow Him will learn to love as He loves. I know that, once I felt, I didn't need people. Now I know that besides God there is nothing else worth my time. I know that as God works in me, people around me will be the purpose for which I live for Him. I have learned this. That I must not look back but onward and upward with Jesus as my pursuit. I can not learn to love as He loves unless I am with people. As the Holy Spirit strives with my flesh, I too will strive with others. But God promises, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9Chanin, I am thankful for your thoughts. One thing is clear, God is working mightily in you and your family. My family life is not what it must now become. I have neglected my family. I suspect that there has been much time spent on dead works of the traditional church. However, I know I can not learn to love as Jesus loves me, if I only love those who love me. Lost in the midst of a storm and yet at rest,In ChristJeff
Thankyou Chanin,Maybe that is where God wants me. It will be hard for me to be a Mary or Martha though. There is wisdom in your thoughts.In ChristJeff
~The Lord's Word is heard while we sit at His feet.~ "Martha had a sister named Mary, who sat at His feet and kept on listening to His Word (Luke 10:39)." There are two elements here: she sat at His feet, and she heard His Word. We must sit at His feet and hear for ourselves. We can hear His Word through other vessels - the pastor, the teacher, the prophet, a devotional, a television program, a book. In spite of an abundance of vessels we are very dull in our hearing. We are well-versed in "the things of the Lord"; nevertheless we are quite shallow. Why? We have missed the Lord for ourselves. We have not sat down at His feet personally, we are consulting and conferring with flesh and blood, receiving "second, third, or fourth-generational teaching". If this is our situation then we have no root in ourselves and we are apt to wither during the heat of the day. You must sit at His feet and hear Him for yourself. Entering into the Lord's thought, becoming acquainted with His Ways as well as His Word, takes the sort of love-devotion Mary demonstrates. The Greek here is continuous action: she "kept on listening". Martha listened too, but when she arose to prepare dinner, Mary remained. As we progress we will see that Mary has discovered spirit and truth, and from henceforth she is always at the feet of the Lord in one way or the other. That is where it begins: the disciple sitting at the feet of the Teacher, lingering there well beyond what is usual and customary, hanging on His every word. So Bethany satisfies the Lord because that is where He is able to directly deposit Himself into listening hearts. ~C.Brogden
Thankyou Chanin,I do hear, that is my problem. The Holy Spirit wars with my flesh. My problem lies in the flesh. He is crucifying me. His work is not done. If I sit as Mary did, the things I write now will be like milk compared to the meat. I know He is good, I have tasted what is pure. My flesh trembles. I know His promises are only good. In my carnality, in my worthless mind, I seek to stay busy. In ChristJeff
If I may enter graciously into this conversation, I have a question to pose to you who have already contributed to the topic and anyone else who has Godly wisdom and counsel on the topic. Ok, so I am 21 years of age and married and a part of a home group in Texas. This home group is underneath the authority of an awesome church in Oklahoma which is six hours away. Their main pastor comes and hangs out the weekend with us around once a month as a pastor/elder/overseer. He is the main authority we look to. When he is not around, there are three leaders or facilitators(as we typically call them) which help in guiding the home group meeting's flow. These three leaders are all 25 or younger and most of the believers that come to the home group are in college or just recently out of college. So the group is almost all 25 and under. The inception of the group was to , just as the forum has been talking about, encourage the flock to go deeper in Jesus in ways that many are unable to in their local sunday fellowships. For most people within our group, there is still a Sunday church that they go to and attend, but for any biblical definition of NT fellowship, this home group is church.Jesus has really been coming with us and blessing the efforts and we have seen wonderful things happen within the house that we are most grateful for. So my question to you all is this... As we go on in development of this home group underneath an authority that is a ways a way(geographically-which means a limit on personal interaction), it is looking and forming itself organically more and more like a church. And what I mean by that is not necessarily the typical Sunday organized machine, but rather an independent and self existing body that could exist on its own. So it seems that people could quit their other sunday things and just devote themselves entirely to the home group. The people within still maintain connections, friendships with other fellowships as well, I might add.It all seems to be progressing that way, though it has not yet. What do you guys think of the legitimacy of it all considering our age(s) and the experience that most of the group has. Thus, it was natural for the homegroup to start.A lot of the group has been thoroughly exposed to Ravenhill, Tozer, Keith Green, Wilkerson, etc. And I believe it is the life that is expressed and seen through men as these that has promted the need for something that is other than what has been seen in traditional sunday meetings.What do you all think?? We are at a creative, open-ended, thinking, praying, crying out to God stage hoping to do this thing right - in a manner worthy of the Gospel. I am in need of wisdom and counsel. And as another so wodnerfully put it earlier in the forum, "what would the Lord Jesus have us to do??" That is where we find ourselves. And there is safety in the multitude of counsel. I am asking for yours here, and for the counsel of the Most High myself.Any help is appreciated. I am truly thankful for the people of God here and their hearts.That He would receive the reward of His suffering.chad
What do you all think?? We are at a creative, open-ended, thinking, praying, crying out to God stage hoping to do this thing right - in a manner worthy of the Gospel. I am in need of wisdom and counsel. And as another so wodnerfully put it earlier in the forum, "what would the Lord Jesus have us to do??" That is where we find ourselves. And there is safety in the multitude of counsel. I am asking for yours here, and for the counsel of the Most High myself.Brother Chad,I am quite a young believer like yourself, im 24 yrs old so I don't boast of wisdom of years but I would still like to share my counsel and knoweldge. One thing that concerns me overall is people like ourselves who desire more of God and our first reaction is to leave our fellowships, churches, etc and either stay by ourselves or start a small group of like minded believers. This can be good and bad, I assume God can call many apart to Himself for a time of refreshing and strengthening in His presence, but if we exhibit the true Spirit of Christ will want to be amongst the unsaved, unregenerate, backsliden, carnal christians, to extend Christs freedom and live in the Spirit to. As hard as it is for me to be in my home church sometimes, I know I am there to share the power and love of Christ with those people.I even am feeling led to go to a homegroup for an more intimate fellowship but I still want to maintain connection with my home church to be used of God to make an impact there. I am not saying this all as a rule for everyone else, there are always exceptions but I feel this is my calling and conviction on the matter.I see such potential in all the Chrisitans who are slumbering as the world is going literally to hell. We need to rouse them to their high-calling in Christ Jesus. I feel my ministry through SermonIndex is to awaken Christians to be fully given to Christ in these days of Apostasty. 'Revive thy people so that they may rejoice in thee.'
Quote:"Any help is appreciated." Perhaps Art Katz' book, "True Fellowship: To Him be the Glory in the Church" could be helpful.It is "An examination of biblical fellowship in the context of a community setting. Art seeks to understand the heart of God in His desire to establish His glory in the Church. A great handbook for those considering Church as community—especially in the light of Last Days’ extremities."http://benisrael.org/OnlineBooks/truefellowship/contents.true_fellowship.htm
Please share with me some of the experiences that you all have encountered in the home church movement. What is home church in your families? I know this may sound like I am looking for a method. How is God glorified at home?In ChristJeff
Jeff,
Being bought up in a housechurch and going to a regular church. I would prefer housechurch too anything becuase it is more homely and you actually feel like part of a family.
Our church started of in our living room,as in my Dads church so why dont you do the same thing believe me it is fantastic.