Latest / Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago / Why Meeting in Person is Important - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Transcript

Why Meeting in Person is Important - Pastor Daniel Batarseh · Bible Study with Pr. Daniel Batarseh | Verse by Verse Series | Maranatha Bible Church - Chicago

0:01
Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Sunday morning
0:02
service through our livestream, trusting that all is well with
0:06
you. As you are still in your home in
0:09
Jesus name. And before we jump into the word
0:11
of God, that's posture hearts in the place of prayer and ask him
0:15
to help us by the spirit of God. Lord, you know, our situation.
0:23
And you know how this is even still a little fresh to us and
0:28
we just ask now that you would help us hear from you that you
0:33
would help us communicate. You would help us understand
0:35
your word, Lord, more than anything.
0:38
We don't need the right Graphics.
0:40
We don't need the perfect sound. We don't need all these
0:43
different tricks. Lord, what we need right now.
0:47
More than anything. Is your presence.
0:49
We need your power. We need your voice.
0:51
We need you to help us. Is so Lord, as we expand your
0:54
word, do what you need to do to our minds and our hearts to
0:58
understand your will and then to conform to it.
1:02
Lord, even in this moment. We asked for the empowerment of
1:05
the Holy Spirit. Lord that your Holy Spirit would
1:09
rest upon the ministry of this word and that Lord, he would be
1:13
driven into our hearts and changes as a result.
1:19
We wait on you and we look to you. assist us now in Jesus
1:24
name, Damon, I can tell you this.
1:29
I'm eager to again. See you.
1:32
I know I say that every time we come on the live stream and I'm
1:35
eager even to communicate God's truth in person as much as this
1:42
is a blessing. It's so much more different to
1:45
look at the eyes of those that you love instead of a camera,
1:49
but you see me and hopefully, that's okay with you.
1:53
And I want to take the time to speak.
1:55
Something that perhaps we've all been feeling in our hearts over
1:58
the past few weeks. If you are a part of this local
2:02
church United, Evangelical Church, you're well aware that
2:05
we meet at least three times a week.
2:08
Some meat twice out of those three meetings, some meat.
2:11
Once out of those three meetings, some have different
2:13
circumstances and family lives that permit them to do one or
2:18
the other. But for many, they meet, every
2:21
single one of those meetings, the ones they permeate the
2:23
Friday night bible study the Sunday morning service and on
2:25
top. Top of that, they meet outside
2:26
of those meetings and it's a wonderful thing because I'm sure
2:30
you can testify to what I can testify to.
2:34
The fact that this church is like a family, this isn't like a
2:37
drive-through church where you come and get what you want for
2:40
half an hour and leave with something of a minimum,
2:42
emotional stirring. No, this is a family.
2:45
It's a Concrete, solid body. That is intricately woven into
2:51
one another's lives. And that's a blessing.
2:54
It is a tremendous treasure that God has blessed us with and as
2:58
you're well aware, it went from three times a week to now coming
3:03
to almost a month and a half of none of that.
3:07
And we still have a few weeks to go where we are isolated from
3:10
one another, I bring that up because some have brought up and
3:15
entertained the possible threat of what this prolonged online
3:20
Church might do to some. These are not It's that are
3:25
within our local church necessarily.
3:26
I might might be a temptation to some but some leaders of
3:30
different local churches who are experiencing what we're
3:32
experiencing have been voicing through blogs and different
3:35
things of what this prolonging of online.
3:39
Church the way we've been engaging even can be an actual
3:43
threat to some if they're not careful.
3:47
And what might be that thread, exactly the threat is that by
3:51
being so used to what's been happening and by even being
3:54
blessed, to a certain measure of receiving God's word, through
3:57
the live stream through social media platforms.
4:00
And not only that, we know that we are able to even engage, we
4:03
can communicate through these different Outlets.
4:07
It's possible that some might think, you know, this isn't as
4:11
bad as I thought it would be. There might be some who might
4:14
even think more than that and say this is actually more
4:17
convenient to me. This is actually a lot more
4:20
comfortable for me. I mean, what can be better than
4:24
rolling out of bed. Five minutes before the live
4:25
stream still with a crust of my eyes, and being able to watch a
4:30
sermon and scroll through my social media and eat my
4:34
breakfast and still stay in my pajamas.
4:37
Or some might say, you know, with my busy schedule.
4:39
This is this is really fitting and I'm still receiving
4:42
something. And I'm still keeping in
4:43
communication with those that are called brothers and sisters.
4:48
No matter how much of a blessing, this has been and we
4:51
are living in such a unique time of History where the word of God
4:54
can go forth to millions of people in one moment.
4:58
No matter how much of it is something of benefit.
5:03
This is not the way God intended Church to be done.
5:07
And I'm not saying that because this is a threat to us.
5:10
I mean, again, it might be a Temptation for some but what I
5:14
want us to do is to understand God's standard for the Search to
5:18
a certain degree, not that we would be discouraged further
5:22
because we're not experiencing his standard and this moment,
5:26
but that we would have a built up, understanding of the Beauty
5:30
and the wisdom behind, why God wants it to be.
5:35
The way he wants it to be somebody wrote it in this way.
5:39
And I thought it was beautifully, said that what we
5:42
are experiencing today. These online services is a
5:46
circumstantial compromise. It is not an ongoing
5:51
convenience. Let me say that again, these
5:54
online services that you and I are experiencing that other
5:57
local churches are experiencing are a circumstantial compromise.
6:01
We are forced in some way to do this, but they are Not and
6:05
ongoing convenience that is crucial in our understanding.
6:11
And we have to understand one thing that we even vocalizing.
6:19
How much we miss each? Other is a beautiful thing and
6:21
that's why I personally do not think it's a threat to many
6:24
because we have been longing to see each other.
6:27
And we've been voicing that over and over again, but I want to I
6:31
want us to think further than that.
6:32
We can miss each other. For many reasons, but perhaps,
6:37
we are limited in our understanding of the death of
6:39
the spiritual value. That face-to-face
6:42
person-to-person regular consistent meeting with one.
6:45
Another actually carries. Its the impression that we get
6:50
from the New Testament writers to is that meeting together,
6:54
physically is something to be longed for and is something to
6:59
be kept and protected, and that, if there's any Hint of
7:05
separation. That it would cause an ache in
7:09
the heart of the True Believer, even if there's conveniences
7:12
with that. Let me give you an example.
7:15
Turn your Bibles to first Thessalonians chapter 2.
7:18
And I want us to see, Paul's language, and what we're talking
7:20
about and maybe we can Echo what he feels.
7:25
Paul says, in 1st Thessalonians, chapter 2, verse 17, but since
7:30
we were torn away from you, he says he's talking to the
7:32
Thessalonian church, but since we were torn away from you,
7:37
Brothers, for a short time in person, not in heart.
7:43
We Endeavour the more eagerly in with great desire to see you
7:47
face to face. Now.
7:50
Look at the wording. He's using here and notice that
7:53
the first thing he says is that he was torn away from a
7:58
Thessalonians. That's strong language.
8:00
That's almost like you forcefully, ripping something
8:03
apart that's supposed to be connected and that's It's what
8:07
he says, concerning his relationship with them that he
8:10
was torn away. Implying that there was
8:12
something outside of him. There was something overpowering
8:15
him that forced him and that limited him from having the
8:19
freedom to be able to meet with him, on a regular basis.
8:24
And this is something that we see in the next verses caused by
8:28
Satan. Actually because he says, I try
8:31
to come to you over and over and over again, but Satan hindered
8:34
us. Now, we don't know how Satan
8:36
hindered and we do. What he did specifically.
8:39
But Paul received the Revelation that as he was trying to find
8:42
his way towards this church, the enemy continually put roadblocks
8:46
in. Hindered him.
8:48
What I want us to focus on is Paul's attitude towards the
8:52
separation that he was experiencing with the Believers
8:55
and it's important one because it shows the valley that he
8:58
places on the church meeting together the way God intended it
9:02
to be. He's trying to say Century that
9:04
the only reason why I shouldn't be meeting with you.
9:07
And the only reason why we shouldn't be meeting with one.
9:10
Another is only on the basis. If we are actually being torn
9:14
away from each other, then if we are being forcefully, dragged
9:18
outside of our control and our being overpowered by something
9:21
outside of us, that is causing us, not to be able to see each
9:25
other face to face. That is incredible because we
9:29
have to admit that. There are some people who have
9:31
to be dragged to get to church. Nevermind dragged away from
9:34
church. Paul said, no.
9:35
Listen, you don't have to drag me to go to church.
9:37
You have to drag me away from my church, for me not to meet with
9:41
them. That should be convicted because
9:43
surely for Paul to say this implies that he understands
9:47
something of the value again of the local Gathering.
9:52
And so he wasn't comfortable where he was at.
9:56
In fact, look what he was saying here.
9:58
He was saying with his language here that he endeavored, the
10:01
more eagerly and with great desire to see them face to face,
10:05
that is language of desperation. That is language of priority.
10:09
That is language of Revelation to know something of the beauty
10:13
of being in the presence of other believers.
10:17
Now, he was separated says, for a short time.
10:22
So just because it was a short time, didn't mean that Paul
10:25
Kickback to relax and say, well it's a short time.
10:27
So we'll get back together and we'll just we'll just return to
10:31
the way things were and we'll just go off where we left off.
10:34
No, even though he was separated for a short time.
10:39
Paul still made the effort as we've talked about before to
10:43
remain in contact and to give a source of encouragement and
10:47
exhortation towards the Believers, even though he was at
10:49
a distance. And that's what he's doing with
10:52
this letter. He's staying in communication
10:55
with these Believers by writing to them.
10:57
So this is as modern-day Zoom. This is something that he was
11:01
able to do this. This is social media Outlet, so
11:03
to speak. But nevertheless is much of
11:07
value and importance. This was.
11:11
He still knew. Oh no, to be with you
11:14
face-to-face, is what I'm aiming for.
11:16
That's what I'm praying for. That's what I'm fighting for.
11:18
That's what I'm that's what I'm fighting Satan for.
11:22
Can I ask you something? Do you feel that way about the
11:24
local church? I pray with all of my heart that
11:28
once things change again and were able to meet that.
11:31
We would never treat the meeting the same way again.
11:37
That we would never think so lightly of what it's like to
11:40
walk into that building on a Friday night on a Sunday morning
11:44
on a Wednesday evening. I don't think Satan has to fight
11:49
many Christians in the west not to go to church.
11:52
I think they found many different ways to excuse
11:55
themselves from coming to the meeting that is foreign to the
11:59
understanding of the New Testament Christians.
12:02
And so, what did Paul have is a revelation for him to think this
12:06
way to feel this way. Did he know something that we
12:10
didn't know? They have some secret insight to
12:12
the local church. Now, it's sprinkled all over the
12:15
New Testament and I present to you at least a few points to
12:18
why. Listen this right here does not
12:23
substitute nor is it equal to you getting in your car driving
12:29
to church shaking hands. Giving hugs, sitting beside
12:33
somebody hearing from a person in the building getting up
12:38
shake. Hands and fellowshipping.
12:40
Nothing will replace that. No matter how much of a
12:42
convenience this is. Why the points I want to bring
12:47
up? Are things that cannot be
12:50
equated to the blessings that we are experiencing now, in other
12:54
words, the things that we want to surface from the scriptures
12:58
are what the physical Gathering offer that this cannot offer
13:02
that YouTube church does not offer that fill-in-the-blank
13:07
offers. It's something that not only
13:09
promotes the physical Gathering but it consistent and a
13:12
commitment to the physical Gathering.
13:16
Here's number one. Turn your Bibles to Hebrews
13:17
chapter 13. And let's look at verse 7 to see
13:21
an important point. And Hebrews 13:7, we get an
13:27
insight to why it is important to meet physically.
13:31
At least one angle from it. The author of Hebrews says to
13:35
these Hebrew Christians, remember, your leaders.
13:39
Remember your leaders? Those who spoke to you the word
13:43
of God. Now, if you would stop there, we
13:47
don't have a point to make, because he goes on to say why
13:52
they should remember their leaders.
13:53
But if you would have stopped, remember you leaders?
13:55
Those who spoke to the word of God?
13:57
We would say, well, I can get that from going on YouTube.
14:01
There are so many better preachers even and greater
14:04
studies on YouTube than, perhaps my local church, and so I'm
14:09
Actually more blessed by these things.
14:11
And I'm not shooting down. YouTube sermons.
14:13
Are you to preachers? I've been greatly blessed by men
14:16
of God who don't even live now and have been recorded based on
14:19
their messages and have been blessing blessings to me, but he
14:24
doesn't stop there. It doesn't just say, remember
14:26
your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God.
14:29
No, he says, remember your leaders, those who spoke to the
14:31
word of God. And then, he says, two things
14:33
after that, that are in line with the relationship that you
14:36
might have with somebody who invest in you, the spiritual
14:39
truths from the scriptures. The first thing he says is
14:42
consider the outcome of their way of life.
14:48
Think about that. He means you're that the
14:51
preacher and teacher of any local church.
14:53
Must also be a person who lived among the people.
14:59
Who was among them, who was there?
15:03
In fact, when you look at the Old Testament and you see the
15:05
Tabernacle going through the Wilderness, I challenge you
15:08
because there's a portion of scripture in the book of numbers
15:11
that tells you the placement of where the different tribes would
15:14
be whenever the tenth would park whenever the cloud would say,
15:18
you're stopping here. They would have to be placed
15:20
specifically around the Tabernacle and what you actually
15:23
see is that the Levites, the priests, the teachers of the law
15:27
were parked. By the Tabernacle, they were
15:31
surrounding the tent, they were in close proximity to the place
15:35
of worship and for different reasons.
15:37
One of the main reasons was to protect from people just coming
15:40
in and Waltzing. In, and being casual.
15:42
They would set a standard and they would protect it
15:43
physically. But that says something, the
15:45
fact that the Levites were so close to the place of worship
15:49
implies that they were near to the house of worship and near
15:51
the people who would come and worship.
15:54
And so, what do we see here? Those who spoke to you the word
15:57
of God consider there? Welcome, how can I consider the
16:01
outcome of somebody's life? If my relationship to them, is
16:04
simply through a screen for an hour, a week for maybe two hours
16:08
a week. This is telling us plainly that
16:12
the pastor or the Elder of a church must live amongst his
16:18
people, not just to preach them and to teach them, but to embody
16:21
the message and to display to them as an example of what it
16:26
means to live. The very thing that I'm
16:27
preaching. And so they must have some
16:30
certain exposure to the people that they are ministering to, in
16:34
the people must have some kind of exposure and availability to
16:37
their personal lives to certain extent to know if they are
16:41
living, what they are preaching now, why is that?
16:45
Because the authority of any message being declared?
16:49
Is it proportion to the authenticity of the messenger?
16:54
See for this to actually carry some kind of power.
16:57
And weight is not based on gifting.
17:00
It's not based on insight and knowledge.
17:02
That's certainly true. There is a level of that.
17:05
But how much more when you see a person regularly preaching and
17:08
teaching and then you see that their lives are backing up the
17:11
message that they're declaring, how much more weight.
17:13
How much more conviction is there?
17:14
And that's the way God designed it to be that the person that
17:17
you would be sitting under who had preached to, you would also
17:21
display to you how they should live it out.
17:24
So that you would have a model to follow and you would have an
17:27
encouragement to look to and say, hey if this person whose
17:31
Flesh and Blood like me can live out the things that he's
17:34
preaching and I can That clearly then it's possible for me.
17:38
You can't get that from having a relationship with a pastor
17:40
online. You can be blessed by the
17:42
insights, concerning the word of God, but the power for the word
17:45
to be driven into, your heart, was designed by God, to be lived
17:50
out before a people continually. That's the only people think
17:54
that they can just be distant from the church and say well I
17:58
get so much more blessing from just hearing messages.
18:01
You're actually robbing yourself of Greater blessing.
18:05
Because he says here, that you should consider the outcome of
18:07
the way of life. When you see a pastor, how he
18:10
communicates with people in the church, when you see social
18:12
abilities, when you see how he responds to crisis, when you see
18:15
how he treats, his wife, and how he raises his children, you get
18:19
something from that and we need that as a sheep.
18:23
We need to be exposed to leaders who live the message out before
18:28
us so that we can do. The second thing.
18:30
He says, consider the outcome of their way of life.
18:32
And what does he say? Imitate their faith.
18:36
So, leaders must live in such a way in which their lives are
18:40
worth imitating. Leaders are to be above reproach
18:45
and to give people a standard to meet.
18:48
Well, no, he's a pastor and he's this and he's not, he's going to
18:51
live differently to me. No, you know, often times we go
18:54
to those scriptures that talk about the qualifications of an
18:56
elder Titus 1. First Timothy 3, we go.
18:59
That's for pastors is true this for passes, but it's really a
19:02
model for all people. But we can't just say that's
19:05
four passes for them, not to be lovers of money not to drink too
19:07
much wine. And to be respectable.
19:10
Is that really just for leaders? Now the leaders.
19:13
Yes. Are called to a standard, but
19:14
they are also to live it out so that the people can say, that's
19:17
something that I must imitate as well.
19:20
You can't get that again from this is something that is
19:23
fleshed out and something that can be measured and studied.
19:27
And then again, to be inspired by, I want us to see this in
19:32
first Thessalonians 2 again. In the first verse that we
19:35
talked about in chapter two, but look at verse 10.
19:38
Just to see an example of this, a first Thessalonians 2 verse
19:41
10. Look what look, what is said
19:43
here. You are witnesses.
19:48
That's what he says. You are witnesses.
19:52
These leaders are saying that. And God also how holy and
19:56
righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
20:01
So he's telling these Believers, you can testify of how we lived
20:04
amongst you, and you can see from every corner of our lives
20:08
that we are. In fact, holy righteous and
20:12
blameless. But then he goes on to say the
20:15
next things for, you know, how like a father with his children.
20:18
We exhorted each one of you and encourage you, and charged you
20:22
to walk in a manner, worthy of God, who calls you into his own
20:25
kingdom, and Glory. They see the connection.
20:28
There. He goes, you are witnesses of
20:30
how we lived that is important. And then he goes on to say and
20:34
we exhorted, you and we preach to you and we charge you.
20:37
We decide to do to live in a manner worthy of the lord.
20:40
Well, you can't really charge people to live in a certain.
20:44
Wayne expected to live in a certain way and let's first you
20:47
are embodying. What you want them to be.
20:50
You have to first give them a reason to hear you out.
20:54
That's what he says your witness is because there's nothing in us
20:56
that you can say. No no.
20:58
And he goes because of how we lived among you and now we have
21:00
the authority to speak into your life.
21:04
And we can show you that it is possible.
21:07
So the local church. This is important in the
21:11
physical Gathering offers inspiration and guidance to
21:17
God's people through God appointed leadership.
21:23
Inspiration and guidance comes that when you come into those
21:26
Church doors, and you have a relationship with the leaders,
21:29
there. There is something offered to
21:31
you, that is greatly needed for our sanctification.
21:38
Be mindful of this wonderful truth that even God himself came
21:42
into our world took on flesh and lived out the life.
21:47
That is an example for you. And I even God himself, came to
21:51
our world. Yes to die for our sins.
21:52
But also to be able to say to us follow me imitate me.
21:59
Look to me and that's what we do.
22:01
We look to Christ who took on flesh and we see how he
22:03
responded and lived according to the father's will and we go
22:08
That's my standard. And those who are under, the
22:10
chief Shepherd, must do the same and you and I, as the Sheep must
22:15
be able to link ourselves to such people, by the local
22:18
church. So, the first point I want to
22:21
make is that the physical Gathering provides us examples
22:23
to follow and again, you can't get that from Facebook live.
22:28
Number two, not only examples to follow in the spiritual sense.
22:32
But secondly that in the local church are reserved
22:37
manifestations of the holy spirit.
22:40
So go to First Corinthians chapter 12 and look at verse 7
22:44
to understand what I'm trying to say here.
22:47
Paul in this chapter First Corinthians, 12 13, 14 is honed
22:52
in on teaching on the gifts of the Spirit.
22:55
And he says in First Corinthians 12:7 a specific phrase.
22:58
That is so pregnant. With truth says here to each,
23:02
he's talking about Believers to each is given the manifestation
23:06
of the spirit for the common good.
23:11
This is glorious for the church to understand.
23:15
He says each believer has been given a manifestation of the
23:18
holy spirit for specific purpose.
23:20
It's been granted. It's been deposited.
23:22
It's been given into you at the moment of Salvation.
23:26
Something has been Checked into your heart and mind of a
23:32
supernatural value and worth. And he's saying here, that that
23:37
thing that's been given to you and me, listen to the power of
23:40
this contains, the ability to manifest an aspect of the person
23:46
and the ministry of the holy spirit of God, each person.
23:50
Not just leaders, not just pastors out.
23:52
Those who just speak the word each has been given the ability
23:55
to manifest a component of the Holy Spirit.
23:59
You know what? That means?
24:01
Again. It means that each Born Again
24:03
blood, wash Christian. Has the ability and the
24:08
responsibility, the ability and the responsibility to do what to
24:15
share something of Supernatural value.
24:18
So that others around them would experience Supernatural,
24:22
goodness. It's an ability and a
24:25
responsibility in what way will you look at verse 4 and it says
24:29
variation of gifts, and variation of services and
24:33
variation of activities. It's in different ways that
24:35
these manifestations of the Holy Spirit make themselves known in
24:39
the context of the local church. So, let me give you an
24:43
illustration that will hopefully make this clear concerning the
24:45
responsibility element. I have siblings.
24:49
I grew up with my siblings and we were all close in age.
24:51
So we did a lot of things together, and I'm not saying
24:56
this actually happened. I'm just saying, here's an
24:57
illustration. If you have siblings, perhaps
24:59
you can understand where I'm going with this.
25:02
It's a simple illustration of a father, who would give, let's
25:05
say me $50 and he told me strictly.
25:08
He gave me instructor says this $50 is for you and your three
25:11
other siblings to go and grab lunch.
25:13
I'm giving you this, the pause it so that you can go and you
25:16
can provide for the rest of Brothers and sisters, something
25:19
to eat. Okay, so that deposit has a goal
25:25
and there's an intention behind that deposit.
25:28
But can you imagine if he gave me that fifty dollar, bill, and
25:31
I agree to that or perhaps I was ignorant of his instructions.
25:35
Either way. Can you imagine if I took that
25:37
$50 and in my own heart I said, I'm not going to tell my
25:40
brothers and sisters, that Dad gave me this $50 and then I went
25:43
off to only spread that $50 out for the rest of my week.
25:48
Like to know that I can have lunch at my favorite restaurant
25:51
during my school semester and they knew nothing and they
25:54
didn't receive anything from that fifty dollars.
25:57
What would you think of such an act?
25:59
Whether you are ignorant of it or whether you chose
26:02
deliberately not to do? So that is purely selfish.
26:06
Right? That is, it's purely motivated
26:11
for my own needs to be met. And we look at that and we
26:15
understand that principle and we almost rebuked such a thing and
26:19
we score in a, such an act. And yet, we are hesitant to do.
26:23
So, when we translate that principle in the spiritual
26:26
sense. In God's economy, and with
26:30
spiritual currency. See, I give that illustration to
26:36
say that God has given you and me something.
26:40
He's given us a certain amount of a gifting a deposit for the
26:45
purpose of sharing it with our brothers and sisters.
26:49
God did not give us a portion of the Holy Spirit and his in his
26:52
abilities, so that we ourselves will be blessed.
26:55
Yes will be blessed in the process.
26:56
But the goal is always outwards is always towards those around
27:00
us and it is equally just as selfish to say why I'm saved.
27:06
I have the Holy Spirit, but I'm not going to intentionally and
27:10
prayerfully invest in other people's lives because of fill
27:15
in the blank. The reason why so, when people
27:18
think to themselves that they don't have to, Bind themselves
27:23
to a local church. Again, it's like receiving 50
27:28
dollars from your father, as a teenager and choosing to keep
27:31
that all that money for yourself when he says, go and share with
27:33
your siblings. Here's a verse for us to
27:37
understand that first Corinthians 14.
27:40
Remember the same context of the gifts of the Spirit, being
27:42
exercised and practice an order. And First Corinthians. 14:20.
27:47
60co. Paul says what then Brothers is
27:51
like so, so what am I trying to get at concerning my teachings
27:54
on the gifts when you Come together again.
27:58
Coming together. Each one has a him a lesson, a
28:02
revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.
28:06
Each person is coming to the gathering with something to give
28:11
which something to offer and that can range from a sermon
28:15
being preached to an encouraging message and everything in
28:18
between that can go from counseling.
28:21
Somebody on the side with the wisdom that God has given you,
28:24
that can go from Financial giving, because you've been
28:26
given us an extension of Mercy in your heart, and compassion in
28:30
your heart and a giving heart to give it can be anything, but
28:33
every person who calls themselves a Christian, When
28:36
they come together specifically in the church Gathering is
28:39
coming to give something that's been deposited in them.
28:44
See, you're familiar with this. So I'm not going to tell you
28:46
something new, that we have been plagued in the west with this
28:48
consumer mentality where it's the opposite.
28:51
We're coming to get something. And if we don't get it, we go
28:53
through another church. That's going to give it to us.
28:55
What would it look? Like?
28:56
If every person came to a church with a mentality, say, no.
28:58
I'm going to give something, everybody's going to be blessed,
29:01
including the one who gives. And so, Paul by the spirit is
29:06
trying to get them to understand that the gifts of the Spirit are
29:09
not for yourself, selfish purposes, and part of that
29:13
understanding is that you wouldn't do.
29:14
Way. You think you should be done?
29:15
He goes? No, there has to be order or as
29:17
people are not going to be blessed.
29:18
There's chaos. And then he goes on to say in
29:20
this little verse and when you come together, you're giving
29:22
something you're giving something for what purpose, the
29:24
last part of the verse. Let all things be done for
29:27
building up. That will be the experience
29:31
every Friday night, every Sunday morning when we choose to come
29:34
to church. Pray for rethinking and
29:37
meditating upon how we can give coming to church.
29:41
Not necessarily to be filled with the spirit, but already
29:45
filled with the spirit to pour out to others.
29:47
And, you know, what will happen. And perhaps you've experienced
29:50
it. You will leave the meeting
29:52
feeling full. Have you ever experienced that
29:57
when you leave the church, you are built up.
29:59
You came in one way. Perhaps, Perhaps you were.
30:01
So being a beauty, even even think about how you can get.
30:03
But just because you came to a church that tries and
30:07
prayerfully seeks to know how they can bless one another,
30:09
you're leaving built up. And that's what we continually
30:13
want to experience on a weekly basis, but it's going to require
30:17
this understanding that I've been given something.
30:20
So I'm going to now, give it to others.
30:22
By the way. This is a side note.
30:24
This is a great verse 2, gauge another aspect of your life.
30:29
So pay attention to this. This is just a side.
30:30
Note. Would you like to know how you
30:32
can measure if your circle of friends is the will of God for
30:36
your life? Would you like to know how the
30:40
people that you choose to call Best Friends?
30:42
Your your group of people that you seem to be more connected to
30:46
do? You want to know if they are the
30:47
will of God for your life? I think this verse is a
30:49
beautiful example, ask yourself this when I come together with
30:52
them. Am I being built up in my faith?
30:58
Or is my faith being torn down. When I come together with them
31:04
during the day, let's say on a Saturday afternoon.
31:07
Do I come home at night? With my love for got assaulted,
31:14
and me point being pulled back from a greater Devotion to God,
31:17
or am I coming back home with a freshness?
31:20
That's been given to my faith because of the fellowship of
31:22
others. He says, when you come together,
31:25
let all things be done for building up.
31:27
If you hang around, people who call themselves Christian and
31:30
you leave with your flesh, arouse more than your faith
31:33
being built up. You got to reconsider your group
31:35
of friends, doesn't matter. If they go to church every week.
31:38
Think about that for a second. That doesn't mean that when you
31:40
hang out with your friends, all you do is read and pray and fast
31:42
and you can't do other things. No, it means that you walk with
31:45
people who walk with Jesus. So no matter what environment
31:47
you're in, whether you're playing sports, or going out to
31:49
a restaurant because Jesus is the center of their lives.
31:53
You have Jesus. In the midst of that Fellowship.
31:57
Just a little nugget there that has nothing to do with the
31:59
sermon necessarily, but maybe somebody needed to hear that.
32:02
Let's think another Point here. Not only do we have to give
32:06
something, but I think this verse of each one being given
32:09
the manifestation of the spirit should Inspire the person who
32:13
Longs for the manifestations of the spirit.
32:16
What I mean by that? Are you a person that has ever
32:19
prayed? Lord.
32:20
I want your Holy Spirit to be more real to me.
32:24
Lord. I want your nearness.
32:26
I want you to draw close to me. I want to experience your voice.
32:30
I want to experience your power. I have, you ever prayed that
32:33
have you ever longed for the, have you ever ached for that
32:35
saying God Almighty, make yourself more clear, more
32:38
obvious in my life. Lord do something in me in such
32:42
a way that it will edify me and encourage me and strengthened me
32:45
to live a Godly life For Your Glory.
32:47
Have you ever prayed that? If you have prayed that, and I,
32:52
that's a prayer of my heart longing for that and, and
32:56
seeking God for that on a personal level.
32:58
But I remember even in the midst of reading 1st Corinthians, and
33:01
I've read it a few times. But one time, I remember reading
33:05
this specific chapter and this verse popping up to me in a way
33:09
that it's never had before. Remember it says to each has
33:12
been given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good.
33:16
And I remember reading that verse and this thought came to
33:18
me. If you want to know greater
33:24
manifestations of the spirit. Get around people who are filled
33:28
with the Holy Spirit. If you want to know greater
33:33
manifestations of the spirit, get around those who are filled
33:37
with the holy spirit because Paul says, each one has been
33:40
given the ability to unveil and unpack and almost release
33:47
something of the spirit of God that you will benefit from.
33:50
And I never saw this versus same way gay and ever saw the local
33:54
church. The same way again.
33:56
See God in his wisdom. Designed the church to be
33:59
listened to how profound this is that those who would long for?
34:04
Jesus Christ to be more real in their lives.
34:06
Would have to link themselves to the local church in order to
34:09
experience it. So it's not a subjective thing.
34:13
You know, people say well, I just need me and Jesus.
34:16
And Jesus is more real to me and I can have church in my own
34:18
house and I can just do my own thing and walk with Jesus.
34:20
Hold on. Are you a person that wants more
34:22
of Jesus? Oh, yeah.
34:23
I do want more of Jesus. I long for him.
34:24
I want to know his voice. I want to see it.
34:26
Is what Paul says that there is a manifestation of the spirit
34:29
reserved. In the context and within the
34:33
bounds of you committing to a local church with a, with a
34:36
people that are filled with the holy spirit.
34:40
So even something of experiencing of God cannot be
34:44
attained apart from the body of Christ.
34:49
So you see that, even Jesus in being the head of his body has
34:54
made something of his person available to us, only if we
34:58
commit to meeting with the Brethren regular and I can tell
35:02
you that more one of the most personal and impressing moments
35:09
of my life concerning God making himself.
35:11
Real was through other vessels. Was coming to a prayer meeting,
35:16
even if it was a handful. And as though we went to the
35:19
throne room together, like in Isaiah 6, I can tell you people
35:23
who are sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit coming to a church
35:25
Gathering. And then approached me with a
35:28
Word of Wisdom or an encouragement.
35:30
Something that was experienced in the house of worship and I
35:35
can testify Journal full of moments that God has used
35:37
people. Maybe even people that don't
35:39
necessarily know even, even if I went to a different churches
35:42
just to go and worship God, the boy How do you of Christ?
35:46
How wonderful, how beautiful it is?
35:48
I'm telling you. If you do not value the body of
35:50
Christ. You do not value.
35:52
The manifestations of the spirit of God.
35:58
Lastly. We can speak about another
36:01
component of what the physical physical Gathering brings, and
36:04
that is spiritual protection and restoration, spiritual
36:08
protection and restoration. I am in.
36:12
No means. Deep in my medical understanding
36:17
of how the body works, but I am aware enough of the, the Beauty
36:22
and the amazing aspects of the human body.
36:26
I remember the first year when I got saved a moment in my life.
36:30
It was like an epiphany where I realize how complex, and how my
36:35
own body is like a machine, unlike any other thing.
36:38
And it, and it took me back because I realized, though, I
36:42
was saved that strengthen my faith even more.
36:45
To see that I am created by somebody and to see how things
36:49
function and flow and all these different matters.
36:51
I go God, you are amazing, the body alone, testifies of your
36:54
glory. I remember even having
36:56
conversation my roommate about that.
36:57
He laughed at as though. I just realized that I was
37:00
created or something. I was all realize that the human
37:02
body is an amazing. I said, can you imagine?
37:03
Can you understand how glorious? This is the fact that I can see
37:06
through these things and I can taste things and all these
37:09
different things and he kind of laughed at me as though, I was
37:11
just new to this or something. But have you ever considered?
37:18
The ability for the body to heal itself.
37:24
Have you ever considered that? Maybe you've experienced it on a
37:28
small level where you cut your finger or something and it was
37:31
an open wound and you close that wound.
37:33
And I don't know how it works in the body.
37:35
But all I know one thing is that if I've cut my finger and I have
37:38
many times before over a few period of days, it begins to
37:41
collect skin and there's a scab there.
37:43
And then over time, the brain is doing what it needs to do.
37:46
In an offer. A sudden fresh skin covers that
37:48
wound. It's amazing.
37:51
How one part of my body can be harmed and the rest of my body
37:56
is being aware of that, and now is doing what it needs to do.
37:59
In order to heal that. And we look at in the physical
38:04
sense, and we're in amazement. And this is one of the
38:07
advantages of being a member of the body of Christ that you, and
38:12
I get to experience a spiritual nourishment, a spiritual
38:17
protection. And even, in some cases
38:22
restoration. But if I cut this hand off and
38:26
it's, they're laying on some table.
38:28
You can cut that hand all you want but because it's not
38:32
connected to the body, the brain is not able to signal to the
38:36
rest to the blood and to the nerves.
38:39
And whatever else you need to speak to, to come in to bring
38:42
the restoration that that hands knee.
38:43
It is isolate. It is severed.
38:45
And therefore it has severed itself from again, the healing
38:49
power that comes from being a part of a body.
38:55
That is crucial to us to understand because this is the
39:00
reality for the spiritual body of Christ as well.
39:04
You and I have been identified as different parts of one body.
39:07
One is a near one is an eye, one's a foot one's nose, one's a
39:10
mouth, and we all need one another.
39:13
You can't be your role Christian.
39:14
You, you need to be a part of something so that you can know
39:17
the fullness of what it means to be a body and just like a
39:23
physical body. It is very much possible for a
39:26
part of the body to be exposed to danger, to give itself to
39:29
danger to be unwise, and for something to happen, and to
39:33
cause harm. And just like Christians.
39:36
There are Christians who are not careful and their walk with the
39:39
Lord. And they give themselves to
39:40
something or they bite into temptation and and doing so
39:44
cripples them, or hurts them. And sometimes even is that risk
39:49
of infecting, the rest of the body.
39:51
If you don't take care of a part of the body and you're not
39:53
giving attention to, it has the potential of infecting the rest.
39:58
I say that because here to scriptures that you're very
40:02
familiar with, but I want you to consider commonality between
40:04
them. To, here's James 5, let the
40:06
James 5:19. He says my brother's If anyone
40:10
among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back.
40:14
Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner.
40:17
From his wandering, will save his soul from death and will
40:19
cover a multitude of sins. We know that scripture.
40:22
It's a warning and it's an encouragement to those who are
40:26
part of a church that have one amongst them wanders away.
40:29
It's the church's responsibility to do something about it.
40:33
Here's another familiar passage in Galatians. 6:1 Brothers
40:36
Again. Brothers.
40:37
If anyone is caught in any transgression, Galatians 6:1
40:41
you, who are spiritual, should restore him in a spirit of
40:44
gentleness. Keep watch on yourself.
40:46
Lest you too be tempted. What are the commonalities
40:51
between these two scriptures? You might say?
40:53
Well, they both present the warnings and the possibilities
40:56
of a Christian doing harm to himself spiritually and that is
41:00
right. James talks about wandering
41:02
Away, Paul talks about falling into sin.
41:07
But that's not the similarity that we want to focus on the
41:10
similarities that we want to focus on between these two
41:12
passages of many others. Is that?
41:14
Because of a fallen brother, and if somebody is caught wandering
41:19
or in sin. The source of rescue and
41:27
restoration is going to come from other Christians.
41:33
The rescue and restoration of a fallen or infected or broken or
41:38
cut open. Body part is going to come from
41:41
other body parts. And so, there is something a
41:45
preservation and there is something of healing and there's
41:48
something of nourishment. Yes, but even when things get
41:51
bad and there's an openness to infection and harm, all of that,
41:57
by God's wisdom, is designed within the realm of you being
42:01
connected to other people. And if you choose not to be
42:05
connected to other people, you are setting yourself up to be
42:08
like a Sitting Duck. For the enemy.
42:13
And so the more I connect myself, the more I keep myself.
42:17
Connected with other people. The more I know something of a
42:21
shielding. Let me put it this way, if
42:24
you're a Christian. You will commit your life to a
42:28
local church. That is God's design and in
42:31
doing. So, you know what that doesn't
42:33
mean? Doesn't mean that you just come
42:34
to church. Maybe three times out of the
42:36
month and you hear a message because that's what you think
42:39
church is all about to come and hear the pastor speak any
42:41
better. He better be better than last
42:43
time because last time was getting bored.
42:44
I was tempted to look at my phone that is not true church.
42:47
You might have been sold that through the Western idea of it,
42:50
but that is not a church. The church is in part, hearing a
42:53
message on a regular basis, but you as a And committing to a
42:57
local church are giving other, the people the right to keep you
43:01
in check. That's what you're doing.
43:05
So, if you're a person who is not in a good place in your
43:07
faith, even if you're watching this or you're half asleep, or
43:09
maybe you're not watching this right now, you're going to watch
43:11
it later and you are not in the right place.
43:14
Spiritually. Don't get offended if your
43:17
leaders or your friends in the church are going to check up on.
43:20
You. Don't get bothered.
43:21
If you're going to get text messages, don't get bothered.
43:23
People are going to show up to your door and knock on and see
43:25
where you're at. Why?
43:27
Because the church was designed for you to give your life.
43:31
As an accountability to others to speak into your life and you
43:36
might not like the feeling in the moment.
43:38
You might not, you might ignore those text messages and those
43:40
emails but one thing is for certain God designed it for the
43:44
body to heal itself. And to reach out and to Signal.
43:49
When something is not right and for something to be done about
43:52
it. And it's a beautiful thing.
43:57
How many people over the ages have been rescued from wandering
43:59
away because of a faithful brother or sister who reached
44:02
out how many new restoration and the grace of God to the mercy
44:05
and the tenderness and the compassion of another brother or
44:07
sister in Christ that took the time patiently to restore them.
44:11
You can't get that on YouTube Church.
44:14
You can't get that on Livestream.
44:15
You might get more done in your house.
44:17
You might get more time to relax and enjoy your life and do some
44:20
gardening and stuff on a Sunday, but you will never know a
44:22
spiritual protection and restoration if you do not commit
44:25
yourself to. Ships of other people who love
44:28
Jesus. Perhaps you're saying, amen,
44:32
throughout this whole message because you're an agreement with
44:35
this and you don't understand how this could even be a
44:37
temptation to think that I can pull away from the church, but
44:41
you'd be amazed to know how the enemy might use this time to
44:44
Temp some people and to convince them.
44:46
Otherwise, let me repeat the statement that I made first that
44:50
these online services are circumstantial compromised.
44:54
They are not an ongoing convenience.
44:57
Why? Because you and I have leaders
45:01
in our Lives to set examples of the be models for us you and I
45:05
if we long for the manifestations of the Holy
45:07
Spirit, we have to wake ourselves up and we have to get
45:10
to church and you never know how God will touch you that day
45:13
through the worship to the message through, somebody coming
45:16
over and prank. You never know.
45:17
If you want more of God, you're gonna want more of church.
45:20
And lastly you will not know a protection.
45:23
You will not know restoration, especially in times when you
45:26
need it. This is for you.
45:28
And I the local church. Let's pray like, Paul and ask
45:35
God for it to be a reality again.
45:38
And for us to not be separated for much longer.
45:41
You have every right to pray that even while you're trusting
45:44
God during the season. So let's connect our hearts and
45:47
faith and ask God for that. Amen.
45:50
Amen. Lord, you know.
45:56
What is separating us from one another during these couple of
45:59
months, but we also know that it is your standard and your plan
46:04
for the church to meet together. Physically.
46:07
We're asking for our government to operate under wisdom, were
46:11
asking for this virus to be reversed.
46:13
And we're asking that we would be together in a way in which we
46:16
would appreciate the church. And the meetings that we have
46:20
more than before, don't let us fall into the Trap of thinking
46:24
that this is something that we can consider to be a regular
46:28
convenience. Lord.
46:29
Keep us in your word and to see what your word says about the
46:33
church or for now, though, not in person in heart.
46:37
Keep us United. When we trust Lord.
46:44
That we will get the news that we can come again and we can
46:48
experience all the blessings that are packaged in the local
46:52
church and Jesus name we pray. Amen.
46:56
God bless you. We'll see you next week.