Job 4-7 / 1 Corinthians 14:18-40 / Psalm 37:30-40 / Proverbs 21:27
We had the best weekend celebrating the beginning of birthday season! Abigail celebrated 26 years on earth, and Jeff is preparing to celebrate 58 years on the 29th. As we were all together, we discussed Jesus, the Church, different forms of worship and so many other important Jesus related topics. Any time I’m with those who have different Christian traditions from mine, I begin considering again the blessing of meeting together as followers of Jesus.
The way we celebrate our faith is not as important as the fact that we recognize that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. If that Truth is central, the forms for worship will vary widely but not take away from the foundation. Some love hymns, some choruses; some love kneeling for prayer and others love to stand; some enjoy raising their hands in worship and others enjoy keeping their hands quietly by their sides.
It makes my heart sad when I see others who name the Name of Christ criticize differing forms of worshipping and gathering. I will say it again, it is not the forms, traditions, or ways we do things that make or break our faith; it is what we do with the sacrifice of God’s Son that determines our Christian faith. That said, our home church probably looks very different from many other gatherings.
As a matter of fact, I’ve not experienced what we have before so we’re heavily depending on Holy Spirit to lead us each week into what He has in mind as we gather. Although we prepare and have a general flow for our time together, we’re always listening in case Holy Spirit has something He wants for us. We don’t want to miss His plan for our times together!
1 Corinthians 14:26-31 NLT describes well what we at Bethesda Springs House of Mercy and Grace experience when we get together. Here are those verse for you:
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.
I believe it is important that Father, Son and Spirit are exalted and that the believers gathered go away feeling encouraged and filled with God. I also believe everything should be done in love and grace, even if there is a need for correction that must be handled in humility and love. What does not matter is how these things are accomplished.
Jeff and I used to talk about how interesting it would be to visit many different churches just to see how different each one is. I’ve experienced that each gathering will have a different personality. I believe that’s because God is infinite in His expression and we as His people are expressing Him through our own unique gifts and life experiences. The body of Jesus Christ, which is the Church, is beautiful in her diversity and her unity.
The next time you gather with others who love Jesus Christ, consider what you might bring of yourself to give away so that those who are in attendance will be strengthened by you. Will you sing, or share a scripture, or a testimony? Or maybe you’ll bring food or coffee? Or may God will tell you to bring a specific gift for someone or offer a specific service. Whatever God tells you to offer, be prepared to do so with confidence and a cheerful heart.
