Search the Community

"We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible.' وو Charles Spurgeon

Looking forward to koinonia on Sunday. Be travelling away this week. No-one will be doing a sermon. We don't do sermons at our ekklesia (assembly). We do paraklēsis (exhortation). We do oikodomē (edification). We do diakonia (ministry). But we don't do sermons. No sermons. How do you like them apples?

Edification is a subject that is near and dear to me. It is a vital part of Christianity and one we should do our best to practice. Perhaps some of you agree with this and would be so kind as to share your thoughts on this subject along with like minded scriptures and experiences. I hope this can be an edifying (pun intended ) discussion. GBU.

My fellowship preference is for mutually comforting faith among those who have "a yearning to fellowship with those of like faith, in order to liberally share something given freely by the Holy Spirit to reinforce them." Rom 1:11-12 (11) For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; (12) That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. This preference for mutually comforting faith is both a deal maker and a deal breaker when it comes to my fellowshipping decisions. For something to be mutual there must be some reciprocity, or beneficial exchange between those concerned. If there is no comforting cooperation and participation from those I am assembling with for edification I soon part company with them, as Paul did with those who refuted his preaching in the synagogue at Corinth. Act 18:4-7 (4) And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. (5) And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. (6) And when they opposed him, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. (7) And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. Rather than forsake assembling anywhere with anyone because of a Scripture-based fellowship preference mature Christians prayerfully seek out like-minded companions who encourage one another and form supportive relationships. Heb 10:23-25 (23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider one another for the stirring up of love and of good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, just as is the custom for some, but exhorting one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. I hope your fellowship preference is among those who share mutually comforting faith in Christ.

Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." This infers that if God's people had knowledge of who they really are in Christ, of who God is, and of the rights and privileges of their DOMINION -- they wouldn't be destroyed. Jesus walked in union with His Father. We too must do the same with Him. We only have true SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY to the degree that we are abiding in Him. The angels do not respect us and the demons do not obey us because of who we are, but because of who is in us. Affirmation: MY IGNORANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WEAPON AN ENEMY CAN USE AGAINST ME. John 15:7 - "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Observation: ONCE THE WORD OF GOD BEGINS TO ABIDE IN ME AND IT BECOMES A RHEMA WORD (A WORD FROM GOD SPOKEN TO MY SPIRIT) THEN WHEN I TALK OR SPEAK IT, SITUATIONS WILL CHANGE. Remember that joy is not dependent on your circumstances. Some of the world’s most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable. People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them. True Joy is a by-product of living in His Presence. Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons…anywhere. Do not judge a day as devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties. Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Him. Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves. Other matters you must deal with, but He will help you with them. If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Him, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days. "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." - Habakkuk 3:17–19 "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place." - 1 Chronicles 16:27 ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY