This past week, we were talking about the value that we should put on Christian Community if we are going to grow deeper spiritually. We are looking for connections, we need to be a part of a tribe or family or something. Look at how many millions are on Facebook. That may be superficial, but it's a connection for this busy life we seem to be chasing. I'm on Facebook, and it provides a lot of reasons for me to pray for people I know, they often share what they are going through and it helps me to send up a quick prayer on their behalf at the moment I've discovered their challenges.
John Wesley was convinced that meaningful life change, a deepening and serious pursuit of faithfulness, required a community, a body of Christ to nurture and provide the right environment for it. He had the big gatherings of the Societies, but then he encouraged folks to get into classes of 12 to 15 to meet weekly and learn about their faith and learn from others what to do to grow deeper in faith. For those who truly wanted to get serious in their pursuit of Christ likeness, Wesley developed the Bands, a small intimate group of 4 to 6 who met weekly to really covenant with each other to help in the development of faithfulness. That group would ask serious questions about the work of the soul, the temptations being fought, the needs in life to be prayed for. That was a powerful way to get deeply committed people to help each other. From those bands, came leaders who were able to do might things in the community of faith.
John Wesley suggested that we all wrestle with three General Rules that would help shape our lives of faith. The three rules were, 1. Do No Harm, avoid evil of every kind. A tall order, but one worth thinking about and wrestling with in all things. The second was Do All The Good you Can, to whomever you can. That meant you really applied the Golden Rule, do to others what you would love for them to do to you. It included doing the right thing every time and to anybody, even your enemies. It also included doing the right thing for the environment and the created order. The third rule was attend to all the ordinances of God, and that included, public worship of God, the ministry of the Word, read & expounded, the Lord's Supper, family and private prayers, searching the Scriptures on your own, and fasting, or abstinence. Now there is a challenge for you.
You might see why you need friends and family of God, the church known as the Body of Christ, to help each other to get there. Three of these ordinances were public in nature, you were gathered with others, and three were private or within your own home. It's not easy to do, and if you have a mentor or guide or coach or someone holding you accountable, it maybe easier to do. And when you share in a class or band how it's going, you are going to get good ideas from others, for solving some of your life's little problems. You might just get the perfect solution for something that has been bugging you for years...
To review our 8 Life Enriching Practices, let me say that it's not a suggestion or a good idea, it's something serious Christ followers actually do. You might want to decide to actually be a better follower, especially as we gear up for the fall programs and ministries at church, to be committed to doing these exercises in faith development.
Pray, and remember it's a conversation with the Creator who loves you. It needs to be as much listening to God as it is suggestions ways God can help you and the people you love. Bible Reading, is actually a good way that God can speak to you, and it will identify the things you need to know to be a better example of Jesus to others. It can be really hard to do that on your own, because there are parts of the Bible that will really bog you down, that others might be able to guide you to the really best parts. Worship is essential for keeping a proper perspective on life. That "other" in our lives can direct and encourage and equip us far better than we can on our own. The Worship of God, is giving God the value that is deserved and the reward is a sense of presence and help in every time of trouble. Worship also includes the Lord's Supper, which is a reminder that we have been forgiven. We are separated from the junk that get's in the way with our fellowship with God, and healed and given new life. We need that regularly.
Part Four of the Enriching practices is that we are renewed and healed. Worship allows us to be in the presence of the one who can restore, renew, redirect, refresh and transform our minds by the work of the Holy Spirit, the power that swept across Chaos in creation and brought forth order, and life and light. Healing is the chance to be re created and made whole, or given the right perspective to deal with what is going on in your life.
Part Five is Christian Community. Part Six, which comes up next week is how we live, our Lifestyle, which matters to God too. Stay tuned.
Blessings on you all
Pastor Jeff
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