Meditation

Meditation for 10/24/2019

“The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” (Acts 5:12-14)

The local church assembles for worship and fellowship. “Meet together” includes the meaning in common consent and purpose. Christ wanted His followers to be unified (John 17:21-23). Unity remains the church’s goal.

Unity does not mean exclusiveness. The Jerusalem church continued to evangelize and grow. The faithfulness and unity of he church gained respect and admiration in the community from those without the courage to commit themselves fully to Christ and His church.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, Jesus wanted His followers to continue to meet, and not just his immediate disciples, but all of His followers. Today, though some think the church has become irrelevant in contemporary times Abba, we see an increase in people who may not claim attendance in church, but gather in homes and other locations to worship and remain in fellowship. Abba, we offer up our prayers to You, for more and more people to find God through Jesus Christ, and for You to use us in Your service to touch the lives of more people and in Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Every saint has a past—-every sinner has a future!”

KNOWING GOD:

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one hart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans15:5-7)

Beloved, God desires unity among His people. The church should be one in Christ Jesus. Holding grudges and resenting other members of the body separates us from the will of Christ. Christians should accept one another as Christ accepted us. To simple, you say? Well, it truly is this simple and straight forward. Try it for yourself!

I AM:

The Church, Local Body: (1^st Corinthians5:12-13)

The church must practice fellowship. Christians must settle disputes to continue fellowship. The church has a three-set plan for solving differences: 1) The two striving parties privately attempt to overcome their differences. 2) Two or three people serve as witnesses and encouragers to solve the problem/s. 3) The church attempts to settle the disagreement. The time element of the three steps is not mentioned in Scripture, but the process implies a period of time for the parties to reflect and pray. Persons who do not respond tot he three attempts to overcome strife show themselves unconcerned for the fellowship and remove themselves from the church. The church witnesses of Christ’s power to forgive. Jesus has given the church the work of bringing people to Him. The church prays, worships, and experiences the presence of Jesus. The church is a powerful body created by Christ Jesus to promote fellowship, forgiveness, witnessing, and worship. Essentially, every effort is made to help the parties involved in a disagreement to reconcile their differences. However, if one or all parties refuse to participate, then they must leave the church, to bring the fellowship back together in harmony under Christ.

Second Thought of the Day:

“I, Jesus, have sent y angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root of the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation22:16)

A local body is a group of believers serving Christ in one geographical location, also known as a church. The believers in Jerusalem formed a church. Most New Testament passages relating to the church refer to a “local body” of believers. The local church is not isolated or provincial. The Jerusalem church became the base for the church’s mission outreach to Samaria and beyond.

The local fellowship must display unity and commitment to minister to one anther as the Jerusalem church did. They must also display Christ’s love to the whole world, not just to the membership of the church. Although all churches or the local body are autonomous bodies under the lordship of Christ, each congregation must obey the word of the Holy Spirit and the teaching of Scripture.