INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
HOME CHURCH VISION
NEW THIS MONTH
HOME CHURCH VISION
A HOME CHURCH IS A CHURCH THAT MEETS IN HOMES INSTEAD OF BUILDINGS. ALL MINISTRY FUNCTIONS TAKE PLACE IN THE HOME. THE HOMES THEN NETWORK (INFORMALLY) TO FORM THE BODY OF CHRIST.
Greetings in Christ’s name,
This quarter, some of my comments from the BBM web site:
In today's multi-ethnic society, it seems the race issue is always coming to the forefront of most issues. We as Christians have tended to avoid the issues all together.
Here in America as well as many other countries, our worship services are some of the most segregated social gatherings there are. This is because they are some of the only ones where we choose who to be with! At work, at school, at the mall, at sporting events, and in our towns we are forced to interact with other cultures and with people of different skin colors. With church and other social clubs, we can be around those like us, and we can feel comfortable. We do not have to leave our "comfort zone" of inclusiveness.
I believe that we who are Christians have been spineless and cowardly witnesses of Jesus and the gospel. We are taught by Jesus to love and receive all into our company regardless of ethnic or social standing. When Jesus crossed into Samaria in John chapter four, he ministered to a Samaritan woman by a well. By traveling through Samaria and by talking to the woman, Jesus was violating the laws of separation of his day, but he was teaching a great truth to all. He taught that all mankind is created in God's image and worthy of respect and God's love. God sees only one race, the human race!
In Acts fifteen; the church at Jerusalem struggled with the assimilation of gentile (non-Jewish) converts into a Christian church that was mostly converted Jews. The apostles wisely drew no distinction between the two groups, but only insisted they follow basic laws. In Galatians chapter two, Paul recalls this historic event, but adds the incident where Peter, being afraid of fellow Jews, refused to eat with the gentiles who became Christians. This in spite of his (Peter) declaration in Acts eleven that "…the Spirit told me to go with them, (the men of Caesarea) making no distinction…." (vs.12), Peter felt the pressure of societal prejudice. Paul had to rebuke him for his hypocrisy. There can be no quarter given in this area!
We are commanded to love all equally. Prejudice and discrimination are works of Satan, and birthed in hearts that are worldly and not Christ like. We are commanded to reach out across cultural and color lines to witness God's love to the world. To treat someone different due to skin color or ethnic differences shows that we are carnal, and in need of deliverance in our hearts.
Have you made any effort to visit a church of a different ethnic group than you? Have you attempted to make friends with people of other skin colors than yours? Who do you invite to your home church meetings? How do you look on interracial marriage, integrated neighborhoods, immigration, your Pastor being of a different color than you, and such? Your response to these questions, and others like them is a barometer of your heart. Are you a Peter or a Jesus?
Have you noticed that Ministers on both sides of the political spectrum (Democrat and Republican) have aligned themselves with parties instead of the Bible as it relates with President Clinton's dilemma?
Democratic Ministers say "He's repented, lets move on and forget what happened" and Republican Ministers say "He hasn't really repented, we demand that he resigns from office".
Both sides are hypocritical because they take the political side of the argument. Republicans want the President removed from office, Democrats don't. Neither really cares about the word of God. Here is what the Bible says on the matter, where do you stand in this light?
On Respect for leaders:
On forgiveness and sin:
During the times of the bible, Christians were neutral to politics. On one hand the Pharisees killed Jesus for political reasons (to protect their power base, to appease Caesar) and on the other Rome was pagan and barbaric in their rule. The Christian understood that their kingdom was "not of this world" as Jesus taught them. They understood that all systems of man's invention were corrupt and could not be used for kingdom advantage. Jesus never taught his disciples to lobby the Roman senate, to "save" Caesar, or to become politically involved. He taught them to live at peace with all men, to witness Christ's love to all, and to rely on God alone, not to lean on the "arm of flesh" (men's systems).
We must understand that all unsaved men are lost, and untrustworthy to lead Christians in moral issues. If they don't commit adultery, they commit fraud, lie in TV commercials, use money to live lavishly, and only pander to Christians during elections! If you operate in this realm, don't expect morality or Christian ethics.
As a citizen you have a right to vote and become involved in politics, but as a Christian you have greater responsibilities. You must not swear allegiance to a political party, but only to Jesus. The pulpit is for the Gospel, not to rail against political leaders. Remember what happened when Caesar (Constantine) became a Christian and made clergy religious / political leaders. The Roman Catholic Church with all their "teachings" was born, and instead of the coliseum and lions, there were the inquisitions. You cannot merge the two kingdoms; light and darkness are opposed.
Our home on the web is at: http://www.geocities.com/bbmin
UPCOMMING MEETING SCHEDULE
Please note that we meet every other
Saturday at 5:00 PM. Our meetings are full service, we sing
praises, have prayer, teach, anoint with oil the sick and
afflicted, and allow all spiritual
gifts the room to flow and operate through whoever God chooses to
use! Our teaching format is participatory so come with your
questions and comments so we can teach each other. We
also spend time together "breaking bread" afterwards so
if you want to, bring finger foods or dessert when you come.