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Programs
Posted by Lahry Sibley on June 29, 2009 at 7:52am
in Pastoral Group
I was with some other folks who were discussing church programs. What follows addresses this topic.....and more.
Ministry is an outflow of relationship. Relationship is a life lived with another person. Our relationship with God begins not at baptism, but at the cross. Before we can enter into relationship with our God whom we believe and His Son, we must first, not visit the cross, but offer sacrifice. Our old nature must die there. It is in crucifixion with Him by faith, that we die, once and for all. Everything that was our old self must perish, once and for all time.
You simply cannot be partially crucified. On the cross everything must die, or you simply have not been crucified there. Only after crucified death are we ready for burial. After burial comes the resurrection with Him. Then and only then begins the newness of life, the new creation of God. There is no other way to enter in, beloved.
Once this has come to pass, then and only then are we able to approach the throne of Grace boldly, clean and free from sin. This is where the relationship with God begins. Everything else about us becomes and overflow of our personal and intimate relationship with God. You can call it what you will. Worship in relationship. Receive the mind of Christ.
It's not enough to visit the cross and observe it. We must die there. Some Bible saints called it repentance, turn away from. No going back. Death is a one way thing. Have you been there?
Programs mean nothing if all we are sharing is ourselves, our bible knowlege, our works. What others are looking for, what blesses the most....is that we actually know God, and better yet, He knows us. We've been cleansed by the blood in joint death with Jesus. He is working in us and through us! That is what others are seeking, the real deal. God in us, the hope of glory.
In our church building, there is a baptistry. On the wall behind the baptistry is a cross draped with purple cloth. Every time I see that, I think of how important it is, how absolutely necessary it is that we remember and never forget, that to benefit from the immersion into Christ, we must first die upon that cross. Then and only then do we participate in the power of God that flows through the stains of that shed blood 2000 years ago.
We cannot and must not bury live people. To do so, is a witness that we have not properly presented the Gospel to the batisimal candidate, and thereby perverted the truth. Paul said that anyone who does this, presents "another gospel", is accursed. Is it any wonder, dear saints, that our churches are often so "dead", dead to God but not to our flesh?
Is it any wonder that we have all these discussions about programs and procedures when God is the One Who should be orchestrating our lives before others. His conducting takes place when we spend time with Him and live in Him, and have our being.
Jesus commanded that we abide in Him and let His Word abide in us. He goes beyond that and tells us that He and the Father through the Holy Spirit will take up residence in us. We then become the Ark of the Covenant of Messiah. Abiding cannot be a "part time" thing. The moment I stop abiding in my body, I'm dead. The moment we stop abiding in His Body, we cease to live this Holy Life. It's necessary for my life in the vessel, that I stay in it all the time. My pulse must exist 24/7. Otherwise, I'm dead. Why do we think it is not necessary that our pulse ever be in our life with Christ? If we do, we are decieved and need to repent!
God will not abide in a pig sty. Leprosy is a visible example of the ugliness of sin in the heart. It is an example of how aweful sin is to God. Unclean! Unclean! is our cry, if we have not been to the cross and died thereon. We might fool others. We might fool ourselves. But we will not fool God. Have you been washed in the blood?
Before there can be "Acts", there must be life. Before there can be life, there must be death. Is this not the best time to seek our Holy God? Asking Him to search our hearts and hold His Holy Mirror before us that we may see ourselves as He sees us? Do you like what you see? If you answer yes, worship will be abounding in your heart. He who is forgiven much is grateful of much. Grateful souls worship Him. If you answer, "not really", then the question must be asked again. "What will you do with this man called Jesus"? Do we really believe as we say we do? If yes, why will we not do as He commanded? Kill the flesh, so that the spirit may live forever, ever united with Him and seated with Him in heavenly places. Do you cry out for Barabas? Then you must also cry out "crucify Him"! If you have never honestly made this choice before, make it now. I don't care who you are, how long you've been a "church christian", what your profession has been or how much Bible you know. Have you died with Him on His cross? Then and only then will you reign with Him. There is no other option. His Way or hell forever, now and in the life to come.
I assure you, when the Bread of Life becomes the life you live, all other things will just fall into place somehow or they won't matter at all.
I apologize, I didn't have a pulpit this morning. So I imposed upon this forum. But I trust that what has been written will have His heavenly affect upon your heart and lives and accomplish it's intended purpose.........God's progam!
Humbly before Him,
Lahry
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Reply by Avah on June 29, 2009 at 8:15am
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Reply by Lev/Christopher on June 29, 2009 at 10:30am
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Reply by Lahry Sibley on July 1, 2009 at 6:45am
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