Over the last two years, we’ve gone from having one dog, which is a tiny toy poodle named sox, to having an Australian Shepherd named Korra and two cats, Murphy and Burgess. It is crazy at our house at times. Cats can be snobs and dogs can be demanding and territorial. Sox is the oldest of all the animals and is used to being alone. He is now having to learn to share toys, water, food and our attention. Korra is a herder. She herds everyone; include people all the time. She thinks it is her job to round all the animals up and keep them corralled in one place. It is crazy to watch. Sox will start fighting and growling and the cats will hiss and try to slap Korra with a right claw and then take off. Korra thinks she is the queen of the castle and the keeper of the gate.
I love our pets. No
matter how long I’ve been gone, whenever I walk into the door, it is an all out
race to get to me first. They jump and
run around and smile and act if I am the number one person in their lives. It is awesome! Even the cats seem a bit excited in their own
way by rubbing up against my leg.
Imagine a church where people love to see you and help you
through tough times and love on you because they care and excited because they
are happy and cry because they hurt for you and laugh because they enjoy your
company and peace because there are no forced opinions. Imagine suppertime conversations that
demonstrate unity and resources are pulled together to help one another in
times of crisis. Imagine a church that
will walk a long journey of pain and suffering with you. Imagine being loved no matter what sin
struggles you are dealing with. Imagine
being missed when you are gone and being hugged when you return. Imagine a church that sees you as one who
was made in the image of God.
Imagine a church that modeled Jesus!
The church model is found in Acts 2:42-47. The new church modeled Jesus in a way that was captivating
and inspiring. “That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized
and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles,
the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone
around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And
all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s
need was met. They followed a
daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal
a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general
liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were
saved.” (MSG)
Imagine a church in our town that resembles the simplicity
of Jesus’ Church: Committing to the Word of God, unity of fellow believers,
helping others in stressed out times, daily worship that is Jesus centered, and
eating meals together to enhance our strength in unity.
Imagine a church that model Jesus so much, that they filled
all the room up in a matter of days or weeks instead of years or decades
because others wanted in on it, too. The
first church grew and grew and grew because they understood relationship
building and the tremendous need for unity in the body of Christ. They understood that loving one another, worshipping
God daily and supper time conversation will create excitement and motivation in
those looking in from the outside that they may one day soon want to come in
and join the incredible church.
Imagine a church just like that one! Is it possible?
Yes!
The key is: Modeling the church after Jesus.
The desire must be: Seeking the best in others. Unity.
Truth. Patience. Spirit-led.
Humility. Joy. I’m it for the long haul. Being open to knocking down walls.
Imagine a church like Jesus!
Is it possible?
Yes!
It is up to all of us in our town to create such a place!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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