The Week in Review

The Realistic and the Idealistic View of the Church

Written 3/29/07

The author, Gilbert W. Stafford, in his book, Theology for Disciples, gives reference to idealistic and realistic views of the New Testament Church. The question is how can these ideas help bring renewal to the contemporary Church? When these ideas are coupled together, they can be useful for the contemporary church today because they can help better define her goals and to see her areas of need.

Stafford first states that the Gospels are placed at the beginning of the New Testament to signify the priority that the early church placed on discipleship as the basic category for understanding the nature of the church. The church as Stafford points out was called many names, such as the people of God. He explains how these ideas were to be enacted within the body of believers.


His first definition of the church as the body of Christ placed the accent on the church as the ongoing means by which the risen, ascended, reigning, and coming Lord makes himself known in history between his first and second advent (160). In other words, the church is to have a role in the mission of presenting Christ’s redemptive power to the unsaved.


His second definition is that the church is a place where the reconciled come together. Those that are both reconciled with God and with each other. It is the place where God’s presence is on earth. The third definition of the church is as the people of God, with the accent on its vocation.


Therefore, the idealistic view of the church is it is a fellowship of those who trust in Christ. It is the people of the new covenant linked to those of the Old Testament. They are a group of believers devoting to growing in Christ. It is a body of divine grace for the edification of believers and for blessing all. It is an expression of God’s mission to the world. It is also the community of believers waiting for Christ’s return.


This idealistic view however when placed alongside the realistic picture of the church, does not always live up to the idealistic idea. The New Testament church had struggles, corruption and deficiencies within its structure as it attempted to grow and spread the gospel.

While fellowship was important some fell short and problems arose such as those that wanted believers to obey the laws (such as circumcision). There were some devoted to growing in Christ, but there was also a problem for example of sexual sins that Paul had to address that was taking place within the church. The church was to be an organism of divine grace for the edification of believers, but there was a time the church was a stumbling block to believers (for example the debate of eating meat used within idol worship ceremonies). There were problems with gifts and confusion about usage of tongues. The church should have been an expression of God’s mission to the world, but the Asian churches were lacking in missionary zeal.

One of the greatest examples the New Testament church can be to the contemporary church is it was not perfect but it was in the process of growing into what God was calling the church to be. Even in her state of lack, God still added to the church daily. Stafford explains that the view of the idealistic is that the church is pure, spotless, blameless, holy and concerned only with the salvation of people and the glory of God. On the other hand the realist sees the church as too human, harsh, intolerant full of every kind of failing.

Instead, the church today needs to take a blend of both to help the church become what it should be. The church is the body of Christ, but it is in the process of growing and therefore has many shortcomings. The church can however still find comfort in knowing that as she is becoming, God is still adding to the church as he sees fit. It calls for the church today to view itself as a body of believers in need of divine guidance, directing and renewing to continue to grow into what God is calling her to be. The church needs to hear again her purpose, her mission and her calling so that she can continue to be corrected when she goes astray from her mission so that with a loving hand the reality of what is taking place is being joined with the idea of what she can become.

Words of Encouragement

Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. - 1 Thessalonians 5:22-24



Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8


What are your thoughts? Sanctifying Thinking. To sanctify our thoughts means to make our thoughts line up with what is right before God. It means we must have holy thoughts. The scripture says avoid every kind of evil. This means that we must yield ourselves to God so that he can sanctify us in our entirety. My actions as well as my thoughts must line up to God.


To have sanctified thoughts means I must daily consecrate my thoughts to God. I don’t dwell on stinking thinking and instead I allow my thoughts to be set aside for God’s purpose. I set aside my agenda or what I want to dwell on in my thoughts so that God can have the control.


When the thoughts that would make me dwell in the wrong places tries to rise up, I am reminded to avoid all kinds of evil. The evil to avoid is allowing the enemy to feed us lies and us believing it. We need to ask God to help sanctify (make right) our thinking so that we can think the right thoughts and not dwell our thoughts on things that are not praiseworthy and excellent.


As we go to worship this week, let us go seeking a change in our thoughts. What are your thoughts? Are they thoughts on the negative, defeated ways or are they thoughts about the victory that is waiting for us? Lord help us to move from stinking thinking to righteous thinking. Help us to move from being shortsighted in our thinking to seeing the whole picture in our thoughts. Help by setting our thoughts aside for your purpose and your ways.

Inspiration for your Soul

THE STORY OF THE CROSS

Written by Jewel D. Williams

February 24, 2009

Before Adam and Eve, it was void, no light, no sky and no sea
That was before God said, “Let it be”


God had not yet created man,
Yet he had on his mind salvations plan.


He Knew Adam and Eve would take sins fall,
So his Son would have to become the way for all.


Through the history of time God continued to tell of his plan,
Of how he would use His Son to redeem man.


The prophets told he would send his Son; it was just as Isaiah said,
They told he would be born, suffer and be raised from the dead.


He would be rejected of men,
Yet still he is God’s only way of freedom from sin.

They would accuse him of blasphemy and say he would destroy the temple in three days,
They did not understand he told of his death, resurrection and his being the truth, and the way.


They held him in high regard as they laid palms before is feet,
But turned quickly to shouts of Crucify Him! Crucify Him! before Pilate’s seat.


Jesus stood before the priests and the elders, refusing to say one word in his defense,
It seems odd, I’m sure, but shortly it would all make sense.


They mocked him, cast lots for his clothes and placed a crown of thorns upon his head,
They really did not understand the King they mocked would surely rise from the dead.

So they beat him, with many lashes.
Not knowing by his stripes healing would be afforded to the masses.

They made him carry a cross to Golgotha’s hill,
Jesus was only doing His Father’s will.


His disciples had all fled, with Peter denying him for a time of three.
Jesus did not let this stop him from going to the cross for you and me.


Between two thieves his cross was set,
One of them was given a promise of paradise, which from Jesus he would get.


The nails pierced, the spear tore, out came blood and water, a cry that he had finished it all,
Then into his Father’s hand his spirit would be placed; was the words of his final call.

He died that very hour as the veil was torn from top to bottom revealing the holy place,
This symbol was to all that God opened to man a right to approach the holies of space.


It would have been sad had Jesus died, never to be seen again,
He told that in three days he would be raised and seen of men.


The time had come for the two Mary’s to go to the place where Jesus should be,
They wondered who would remove the stone, so Jesus they could see.

To their surprise no stone blocked the way,
The tomb, it was empty where Jesus lay.

The angel told them he was no longer dead,
For he had kept the promise he first said.


He was alive! He was the Risen King,
Oh Death! Oh Death! Where is your sting?


The King of King, the Lord of Host,
Offers salvation to all not, just most.


On God’s mind before the foundation of the world, was a way to save from sin,
Jesus offers to all that come life more abundantly, and a way to win.


Death could not keep Jesus in the grave,
He is the one who releases us; we are no longer sin’s slave.

Christ is risen today,
To show salvations way.

Because of the plan from God’s mind and heart, to Christ’s love on the cross,
Man can be free; and I no longer have to be lost.


Christ arose on that first Easter day,
He arose to be in our hearts, to stay.

The Week in Review

Psalm 133 - A Psalm of Harmony

Show Yourself Friendly Retreat (Part 4)

Question: So what happens when we begin to look more in line with the makeup of the triune God? Let’s look at the next point in this scripture. I first said that it is pleasant and wonderful for us to dwell together. This is because this is what is pleasing to God for when we do, we look like his children, like we belong to him. Now the scripture tells us what happens when we are in harmony, what it looks like. It tells us that to be unified or living in harmony is like precious oil.

Living in harmony is like…. precious Oil

…For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe…

Is fragrant - fragrant holy oil, was strongly perfumed and diffused its odors to all those that were standing near when it was poured on the head of Aaron. Specific directions were given for making the holy anointing oil. They could not simply use anything, they had to use that which God instructed them to us. This was to show the excellency of holiness of God. The spiced oil in the tabernacle was one that had to be welcomed because of its fragrant smell. This is a reminder for us that Christ's name is as ointment poured forth, and that our good names as Christians should be like precious ointment, because we belong to him. He first anointed us with the oil of his Holy Spirit so that you and I could be like sweet fragranced oil that is evident by all those around us. Others should “smell” our scent and find it pleasant.

“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1.

Is plentiful – The oil was so plentifully that it ran down the face even to the collar, or binding of Aaron’s garment. That is how we are to give of ourselves. We are to be willing to give abundantly of love, forgiveness, encouragement, and so forth. What comes from our mouths should be like the oil as it runs down the face of another and covers them with our blessings, not our curses.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." – Luke 6:38

Is consecrated/holy - Aaron and his sons were to be set apart for the priest's office, with ceremony and seriousness. Our Lord Jesus is the great High Priest, called of God to be so; anointed with the Spirit, whence he is called Messiah, the Christ; clothed with glory and beauty; sanctified by his own blood; made perfect, or consecrated through sufferings, (Heb 2:10). Because of that:

“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5

All believers are spiritual priests, to offer spiritual sacrifices. We are washed in the blood of Christ, and so made to our God priests, (Re 1:5, 6). We are also then clothed with the beauty of holiness, and have received the anointing, (1 Jo 2:27) and the merit of Christ is applied to our souls. This consecration signifies the admission of a sinner into the spiritual priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (Ex 29:38-46). Aaron could not offer sacrifices unto God until he had been anointed and the proper procedures were carried out. You and I cannot be lively stones, priest for Christ until we allow all that would hinder us from being his to be removed. If we have any hatred in our hearts, any sin in us we must release it so that we can be sisters united in Christ, working together in the unity of the Spirit. Have you every thought about the fact that God sometimes allows us to go through these difficulties in relationships not so that someone else will change, but that we can become more like him? He uses these situations to sharpen us, and shape us more into the image of his son.

Is costly - This costly oil was precious and not to be used for any common thing. Holy love is, in the sight of God is of great price and it is precious. Christ’s love to mankind was part of the oil of gladness with which he was anointed above others. The ingredient’s that went into making the oil that was used to anoint Aaron was costly. Yet this was worth the cost because it was part of God’s plan. In order for you and I to be anointed as a holy people, Christ paid a great price. Yet God said it was worth it so that you and I can be in harmony with him and therefore in harmony with one another. Because this was such a great cost to Christ, God does not want us taking this lightly the opportunity we have to be united with him and with each other. That was part of the price he paid. He paid the price so that you and I could be reconciled to him and to one another.


Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. 25 Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. 26 Then use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy. "Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them so they may serve me as priests. Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Exodus 30: 22-31



Is Empowering - this oil was a composition made up by a divine direction; God appointed the ingredients and the quantities. This was not done by man but made holy by God. Therefore, we are told to love one another, the ingredient that makes us family, not by our doing but by the Grace and appointing of God. This is God’s grace working in us. They were not admitted (Aaron and his sons) to minister until there were anointed, set apart, consecrated, nor are our services acceptable to God without this holy love, if we don’t have it we are nothing.



If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing – 1 Corinthians 13:1-2



-------FINAL NOTES-------



Our unity with one another should be like precious oil poured upon the head. This can only happen when we have godly love one for another. It should pour forth in abundance. I heard once Sis. Cynthia James say a great test of your love is shown in how much you love your enemy? I add a step, how great your love is shown in how much you can love those that have hurt you, or mistreated you. Can you be like Samuel and say I will not sin against God by not praying for you.



Our unity or harmony with one another should be a sweet smell so that others around us will know the scent. The fragrance is “Holiness”. It should first be a sweet smell to God. My love should be plentiful and evident to those around me. It is consecrated to God for his holy purpose, which is to draw others to him. They will know we belong to him by how we love one another. We must remember a great cost was paid so that you and I can have fellowship with each other, and we cannot take this lightly. We are empowered to love by the Holy Spirit. Nothing we do matters without the love of God first for him and then for each other.

The Week in Review

THE FLOWER OF LIFE

The rose, it’s color is deep red,
like the color of the blood Jesus shed.

It’s so beautiful to see,
It’s fragrance so delightful to the senses.

Jesus was the beauty,
the good sent to us,that delight for the mind and soul.


The rose, in its beauty has thorns of pain,
but Jesus took away that pain,when he gave up his life.

Jesus is the flower of life.
Like a small seed,

our faith can be planted into the heart to grow,
We must love and cherish all his works,

this is the sun and the water that makes it grow.
Like the first blossom of spring,

our awareness opens up to the Lord,
the beginning of a new season in Christ.

We must be thankful, for the blood he shed.
He shed it for me, and he shed it for you.

Jesus is the life, for without him,
there is no beauty, no happiness,
no hope of going on.


Like the flower, we must give time to grow,
we must let ourselves grow in grace,
with the Lord as our teacher.

The rose, so red,
like the color of the blood Jesus shed,

and in it’s beauty,
it could not be,
if it were not for the grace of God.

Words of Encouragement - archived message

“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:25-27



IN REMEMBERANCE. Jesus’ promises. Jesus was speaking to his disciples as he was preparing them for what was to come. Jesus was teaching his disciples that if they loved him and kept his commandments then His Father would love them and come and abide with them. He tells them in this beginning verse that all these promises he was telling them while he was still with them.


What is amazing to me is Jesus was preparing them (and us as well) so that they would be strengthened when he was not physically present with them. He let them know that God was sending the Holy Ghost to be with them and teach them, and bring all things to their remembrance.


The disciples would need to be reminded of what Jesus had taught them as they went out to teach the world. The Holy Spirit, who is not a lesser representative of God, stood with the disciples just as Jesus had done. He was there to teach, Jesus had taught. He was there to comfort, Jesus had comforted. He was there to remind them of the truth. He was to remind them of the promises that Jesus gave. He was to remind them of the peace that Jesus promises to all that loved him and keep his commandments.


This promise Jesus gave to his disciples still applies to us today. We did not walk as the disciples did with Jesus, but we have his words of promise that he would give unto us the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us and remind us of the truth along our journey. And we surely do need to be reminded of the promises. It’s Satan’s job to try and convenience us that God’s words are not true. He wants us to believe we are defeated, that we are without hope. He wants to steal our joy and our peace and leave us in fear.


So the Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we accept the gift of salvation Christ came to enact. The Holy Spirit wants to help us remember the promises of the Word. One important note is, we cannot remember the promises if we do not know the promises. That is another think Satan wants to stop, us reading our Word and learning what riches the pages contain. So I pray for us today that we would be more diligent about reading our Word so that we can be equipped to stand up against the tricks of the devil.




“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do you, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death til he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-26



IN REMEMBERANCE. Jesus’ sacrifice. Paul was writing to the Corinthian church regarding the keeping of the Lord’s Supper (communion). Paul says some were coming and taking for the wrong reason. Some were coming because they were hungry and it was only taken as food for the stomach. Some were coming because they wanted to drink and it was only to fill that need.


Paul gives instruction on how they should come to take of the Lord’s Supper. He is telling them they should first come with thanksgiving. They should be thankful for what Jesus did when he gave of himself for our sins. He gave his body to be beaten for our transgressions. He took in his body the sting of our sin as he was beaten, spit upon and crucified. He took away the stink of our sin when his blood was shed, as the lamb sacrificed.


The message still stands for all believers today. We must first examine ourselves before we take communion. If we take of the communion in an unworthy state, Paul says we drink damnation upon ourselves. We should examine our hearts and then come before the Lord with thanksgivings. And then we also must come in remembrance. We take of the elements to remind us of what Christ gave for each of us. And when we take, it is to remind us we are also taking a part in Christ death, so that we die and Christ lives in us.



I pray that when it comes time to take communion at your church, you will go remembering what Jesus truly gave for each of us. And then go with thanksgiving and remembering what it means to you.

The Week in Review

Psalm 133 - A Psalm of Harmony

Show Yourself Friendly Retreat (Part 3)

Question: What are you to do when others have treated you wrong?

Let’s get Samuel to help us answer this question. Samuel was a prophet and he served God from his youth. The people of God came to a point where they said Samuel is getting old, his sons are doing whatever they want to so we no longer want to have you over us, we want a king so we can be just like the other nations. God told Samuel to give them what they wanted.


He also told Samuel they are not rejecting you, but they are rejecting me. However in chapter 12 of 1st Samuel he gives his farewell speech. He ask, what have I done wrong to you that you would reject me? Yet listen to what Samuel says in verse 23 of this chapter even after the people have rejected him as the one they want to follow.

1 Samuel 12:23 – Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

What are we to do when others have treated us wrong? We are to make the stand like Samuel did and do what is right before God. What is important for us to understand here is that even when we feel rejected by others we must still make sure that we stand for what is right. He acknowledges that the sin is against God if he does not continue to pray for these people. This is important for us to understand. If we have been lied on, cheated, envied or anything else that makes us feel rejected, we have to do as Samuel did and make the commitment to do things God’s way. This is the first step to our receiving the blessings of God and being in harmony with him. This is what this first line in the scripture is telling us…it is wonderful and pleasant that brothers should be in harmony, because it is pleasing to God that we make the decision to do things his way even if others refuse to.


Question: How should we look at unity or harmony? Let’s look at the best example of unity, the Triune God. The greatest example we have of how we should look is to look at God himself.


- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one in purpose. They all work together for one purpose. One does not promote himself above the other, the Holy Spirit does not work out his own ideas and wishes but he does the purpose of the Son. The Son does not do his own desire but he does that which is the will of the Father. They are united in purpose. This is how we live in unity. We must have one purpose. What is our purpose? To love God and love one another. These are the two greatest commandments from which we are able to do the others.

- Uniquely different but uniquely blended. Each has a unique purpose in the Godhead. The Father called for man to be created in his image. He spoke the words and from his word the world and man was created. The Holy Spirit moved upon the waters and caused the waters to be filled with all living creates. This was one example of the three working as one in the Godhead. God the Father called for the creation, Christ who is the word made flesh caused all things that were created to be, for there is nothing that was created that was not in him. The Spirit was active in carrying out the word. Another example.


The cross of Christ. This was not an “oh oh” moment for God. God knew before Adam and Eve even had the opportunity to sin, that the cross of Christ would be needed because of the fall of mankind. God set in motion the mission of salvation before the foundations of the world. God the Son, Jesus carried out the mission and came to give himself as a ransom for many. God the Holy Spirit now empowers the church (that’s you and I) to continue to carry the mission of Christ to a dying world. These are the 3 different persons of the trinity working together. Each has a different purpose but they work that purpose together. That is what you and I are called to do. We are uniquely different but are called to be uniquely blended. Each of us is called to carry out our purpose in the body but we are still connected to create one body, one people of God, one holy nation. What would it look like with a body with seven arms or ten legs? It would be deformed and it could not function, as it should. You and I are called to be what we are called to be and we blend together to make that up. So maybe some have the same types of gifting and you make up the arm. You must all blend together to function as an arm would. One of you can not decide, I’ve really got this gift down pat, I’m much better at it than sister “soinso”, so I’m going to be the arm all by myself. We are moving into a deformed body. The triune God was 3 in 1. We are to be uniquely different but are to blend into one. One people, one body.


- One is not greater than the other. In the trinity there is not one that is more important or greater than the other. They are equaled in important. They require equal worship, equal honor, equal reverence and love. In fact Jesus says in the word “My Father and I are one”. They are one in equality as well as purpose.


- They all work for fulfillment of the other. Each works to complete the purpose of the other. The Holy Spirit is often spoken of in scripture as Jesus’ Holy Spirit or God’s Holy Spirit. That is because his purpose is not his own, but to fulfill the purpose of the Father and the Son. Jesus talks of not doing his will but the will of the father. Not my will by thine, is Jesus’ stand. Jesus gives himself to fulfill the purpose of the Father, which is to draw all men to him and therefore to the Father. For Jesus told his disciples if you see me, you’ve seen the Father.



----FINAL NOTE----


This gives us a clear understanding of how we are to be united or in harmony. We can be united because the God we serve is a God in harmony with himself. There is no struggle in God’s make up. If we say that we belong to him, shouldn’t we possess or look like his attributes? We should be one in our purpose, which is the fulfillment of God’s mission in the world. We are all different but that is something to be honored not put down. God made us uniquely different, yet we come together uniquely and make his family. One is not greater than the other. If I preach and you don’t that does not make me more loved by God than you. I may have more responsibility but that does not make me better. And finally it shows us that we all work for the fulfillment of the other. I should take pleasure in investing in you so that you can reach what God has for you to reach. My gifts are not for me, but for you, to build you up and help equip you to do what God has required for us to do.