Holy living from a heart of love for God

Scriptures to consider:

1 Peter 1:13-19; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:20-26; James 4:4-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:14; John 14:15, 21; John 15:8, 14; 1 John 2:3-4; 1 John 5:3; Luke 6:46; Matthew 5:16; Hebrews 12:1-4

8. Worship and obedience go hand-in-hand. Righteousness and holy living should be taken seriously – not as legalistic rules to be followed, but in love challenging one another to be holy for the love of Him who died to free us from bondage to sin. Remember: sin grieves God and His Spirit dwelling in us. Let us never grow lax in our striving against sin, or grow lax in our acceptance of sin in our lives. Instead, let us encourage one another to live holy, set apart for the work He has called us to.

If we look at the these passages, written by those who walked with Christ, or Paul who had a life changing run-in with the glorified Jesus, we cannot think that we are free to sin, but rather have chosen to become slaves of righteousness, according to Romans 6. Do we strive each day to seek God's will in all we do and say? Do we see sin as "exceedingly sinful" as Paul sees it in Romans 7? We are not to go around in pride and arrogance judging others, that would be wrong. Still, we are called on, as Timothy was, "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning"-1 Timothy 5:20

We must not be prideful or hypocritical, but speak the truth in love for the purpose of reconciliation to God. Paul writes in Titus 2:11-15, "denying ungodliness and worldly lust, to live soberly, righteously, and godly" and "these things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority, let no one disregard you" 

Issues of preference are a different matter altogether, and grace should be applied liberally in matters of conscience. However, we must never disregard God's Word and His direct commands, excusing our sins under the banner of tolerance, relevance, or culture. God's Word is eternal and He gave it knowing that trends and cultures change. We must be careful to obey rather than make excuses for our disregarding of clear Scriptural teaching. Culture may change, but God's Word never changes or becomes irrelevant.

Evangelism- Sharing the message of life

Scripture to consider: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; 2 Timothy 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:11, 17-21; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Luke 6:45; Psalm 145:4-12

7. An emphasis on proclaiming the gospel to the lost – and equipping all the saints to do so boldly and effectively. There is room for creativity in the use of each one's gifts, personalities, connections, resources, etc. for the continual work of spreading the gospel locally, as well as regionally and around the world. (note: continual, not sporadic – but truly a core goal of daily/weekly life of the saints) Evangelism should be an expression of who we are as Christians, not just something we do.

Too often, evangelistic outreach is seen as a once a year push to get the Gospel out. We must be faithful to seek out and faithfully speak of the Savior when we meet those who do not yet know Christ. If our hearts are filled with love for the Savior, if He is truly preeminent (having first place) in our lives, our hearts, then we will find opportunity to share that love with people at work, school, etc. Going to the park, volunteering at a food pantry, the venues for sharing Christ are limited only to where we are willing to go. As a local church, we must be faithful in this work if we are to truly be disciples of Christ. 

Prayer- a foundation often neglected

Scriptures to consider: Matthew 21:22; Luke 6:12; Acts 1:14, 2:42, 6:4, 12:5; Romans 12:12, 15:30; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:16

6. Dedication to prayer, both individual and corporate. We have a God who listens to and answers prayer, and desires for us to bring to Him all of our needs and concerns, as well as our thanks and praise. Times of prayer should be scheduled as well as impromptu, fervent, interceding, persevering, in all things, and in faith, expecting God to answer.

Yet again we find a topic that seems to be implied, but  one that is too often disregarded in the church. We want to be sure that we follow the Biblical example. You will not see a "prayer  meeting" anywhere in the Bible, but times of prayer sprinkled throughout God's Word. This does not mean we should not come together for a meeting of prayer, in fact we ought always to be praying.  We see commands to pray for those in authority over us, prayers of intercession on other's behalf, and many other prayers. Interestingly, in the passages concerning the Lord's Supper, we don't see the model for prayer. This is not to say that we should not pray at these times, but rather it is part of the daily life of a Christian to communicate with the Father. 

So, what does the prayer example look like in the church meetings when we are assembled? Continue to search God's Word and see. The epistles are full of mention of praying for others, praying for God to provide for needs, prayer and fasting together for casting out certain demons. Look around the Bible for yourself, and see that prayer is not a ritualistic practice, but communication with headquarters and a sweet time of focus where we engage the Father through the Son, the Mediator between God and man. 

Input is always welcome and encouraged. Consider what prayer means to you and if you are spending time in communication with God in prayer. Thank you for the input so far via email and such. If you comment on this blog post, others can see and continue to talk things through. Hope to hear from you all soon. May God richly bless you as you serve Him. 

God's Word, the Bible is our authority

Scripture to read and consider: Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Mark 7:7-8

"5. Let every practice be carefully searched out in the Scripture. Let us never be afraid of what might be found if we honestly look together at what the Scriptures teach on a subject, no matter what we've previously believed or been taught. Let us have full confidence that searching the Scriptures afresh will always lead to the truth. "

Often, we may know what a certain author, preacher, or denomination has to say on a subject. The insight of others is valuable, but only when in agreement with the Scripture. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and every Christian has the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in them, the very same Holy Spirit that inspired the writing of God's Word. As we read God's Word and are led by the Holy Spirit, we will find the truth. All of our teaching is not to add to Scripture nor are men beyond error. Our aim is to see what God desires for His church, and to follow His commands and examples in His Word.

As we continue our look at the practices of the Biblically patterned church, this may seem to be redundant. Sadly, there are many churches today that have strayed from the authority of God's Word and been caught up in traditions of men.Some have even publicly professed (Catholic and Mormon) that their extra-biblical writings supersede the authority of God's Word or that only special classes of clergy are capable of reading or understanding what God has give to us. Though these false religions claim to have new inspiration given to clarify or explain God's Word, these writings often conflict with what God has already said, thus proving that they are not simply unprofitable, but intentionally leading people astray. We know that God does not change, nor does He contradict Himself. In light of this thought, we must reject any explanation or new revelation that stands in opposition to God's Word

Mark 7:9 ESV " And he(Jesus) said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!"

True worship

Scripture to consider: 1 Corinthians 11:20-34; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; Luke 22:14-20; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Peter 2:5; John 4:23-24

3. We were created to worship, and Jesus Christ is the one who is truly worthy of all our worship. Part of our worship is remembering the Lord together regularly, as He commanded. The example from Scripture seems to be each week, not as part of a ritual, but as a part of real worship.

Worship is proclaiming the worth of the Lord Jesus Christ, remembering what He has done for us, thanking God and praising Him for His love, grace and mercy. Worship comes through self-examination and partaking in the symbols of the bread and wine, through prayer, singing, testimony, thanks and praise, and the reading of Scripture.

True worship involves a life that reflects the things  we say and sing. Can we truly sing, "How great thou art" if our lives are caught up in ourselves, what we desire, and do not follow the principles of God's Word? The Bible puts worship and service hand in hand. If we love the Lord, we will serve Him not just with our lips, but with our hands, our hearts, every day showing evidence of what God is worth to us. Is this what we call worship, or have we stuck it in a bulletin and relegated worship to congregational singing? 


A brother writes concerning  "true  worship":

There are many men who draw a distinct line between thanksgiving and worship, but God’s Word says that His attributes are understood by what He has made (Rom 1:20) and the heavens declare His glory (Ps 19:1). We know the love of God because He tells us, yes, but primarily because He has demonstrated it to us through His Son (Rom 5:8).

God is certainly worthy to be praised for who He is, but it is by looking at all He has done for me that I am overwhelmed by my unworthiness and thus drawn to worship Him - because of His grace and mercy. I do not need to wax eloquent in my words to worship God. Worship is not some fuzzy feeling I get when a big crowd of Christians gathers to sing praise choruses.

For me, worship is simply looking at who God is and all He has done, and saying that He is worthy of all my thanks and praise. Even more than that, He is worthy of my whole life handed over to serve and follow Him. My words of worship are hypocrisy if they do not match my actions of worship, laying my life on the altar for Him, placing His will above mine in everything I do.

To paraphrase James (2:18), “show me your worship without works, and I will show you my worship by my works.” Presenting my body a living sacrifice is my reasonable, spiritual service of worship (Rom 12:1). My words should then serve only as a recounting of my life of worship.

We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the very place of worship; so we offer up our bodies to His glory, because we are not our own, we have been bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20). Let our words and the songs we sing not ring hollow when held up to our lives for comparison. God seeks for those who worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23), and our words are empty without the evidence of true worship in our lives.

Are we not trampling God’s courts by bringing empty sacrifices of praise on Sunday mornings (Isa 1:11-12)? Far better is worship expressed by obedience in our lives, and then expressed by our words (1 Sam 15:22).

A church is a family in Christ

Our next point in considering the Biblical pattern for churches is "One anothering"

2. A church body is a family united in Christ for His glory.

Scripture to consider: John 13:35, 15:12, 17; Galatians 6:10; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:10, 13; Ephesians 4:15-16; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

The local church is described as a body and as a family – loving one another, caring for each other's needs, working together, encouraging and exhorting one another, accountable to one another. The term "one another" is used dozens of times in instructing the church. Some of the references are positive "love one another" and others are negative, "Do not bite and devour one another". Christians should be known for their love for one another, the expression of a family not formed by physical birth, but spiritual birth.

As we look into some of the references of "one anothering" in the body of Christ, we must all examine ourselves to see if we are following the example  and instruction of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Not only will we get along with each other better, but our testimony to those who do not yet know Jesus personally will give glory to God. Too often, we hear that Christians are hypocritical, just putting on a show, making ourselves feel better. Let us all be honest with ourselves in considering this point of the church pattern from God's Word. If we were to follow all these "one another" passages each and every day of our lives, I believe it would change the world!

Do you consider everyone in your church as family? Does this carry out beyond the  walls of whatever home or building you meet in, to every man, woman, and child that is called by the name of Christ? Do you think that most Christians accept others as all part of one family of God?

Jesus Christ- The Head of the church

Please join us as we seek to live out the Scriptural example of the ideal church, the Biblical church. We are not looking to bash any tradition or routine, reinvent the church, concoct new ideas, or find a better way, but to look back at what God's original intention was, and if/how we need to change so that we are living out what God intended.

Our first item to consider is the founder and focus of the church. We are to be the body of Christ, and so we will first consider what role Jesus Christ, our resurrected Savior, the author and finisher of our faith, has in the day to day work of the New Testament church.

1. Jesus Christ- the Head of the church

Please read the following passages, considering context as we consider Jesus Christ as Head of the church. Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 1:7, 2:6; Ephesians 3:21, 5:23; Luke 14:26-33; 1 John 1:3

Jesus Christ is preeminent(having first place) in all things in the church. We should be seeking His glory first in everything we do – corporately and individually. Considering 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and the image of the old man's death and a new creation in Christ, there should be total commitment to our Lord and Savior. 

This is not a mandated, legalistic subservience, but rather a loving obedience to the One that first loved us. We ought to be making the conscious decision to place Him as our first and highest priority in life. Our use of time and resources will reflect this. The church is not a social club or 12-step group, but the very body of our Savior, and exists to serve Him, for His glory. He is the only reason we have fellowship, and as such is the center of it.

In considering  this point, please add your thoughts and insights in the comment section. Feel free to share other relevant Scriptures, and try to refrain from negative remarks about other people. This study is intended to build up the body of Christ, and help us grow closer to the Lord together.  

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen"- 2 Timothy 4:22 KJV