This has been an incredible journey for me to this point. We have finished our last week in this series at The Dwelling Place, but have only begun to scratch the surface of how this all applies to us practically as the church. Our goal was to lay a firm foundation for our ecclesiology. I believe the first layer has been laid well. It's now up to all of us to act as wise builders [...]
In this 3rd week of rethinking church we are looking at The church as a community. The word community itself tells us something about the church. It is a common unity. "And all that believed were together, and had all things common..." Acts 2:44 Throughout the scriptures we find the community of God's people who together share their faith and lives in common. The description God most often gives to this community of believer and [...]
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 Paul says there is holy and acceptable worship, which means there is unholy and unacceptable worship. What makes worship unacceptable? Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, (2) "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they [...]
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 In our relationship with Jesus, He gave us all and it cost God everything. To Him, relationship with us was worth it. In His presence I become aware of my need for His grace and He holds nothing back. He lavishes His love and [...]
"And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" (6) Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. (7) And he touched my mouth and said: "Behold, [...]
