Category: Kingdom Community

Fellowship and koinonia

close friends

Do You Desire Deeper Friendships? – Part Two

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Last week we looked at two principles for developing close spiritual friends: bearing each others’ burdens and using spiritual gifts. This post looks at two more. Remember, this could apply one on one or in a group. The next principle is intentionally building one another up to be more like Christ. I Cor. 14:26b states: “Let all things be done to build each other up.” Eph. 4:12-13 explains that God gave different types of people to the church “for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain . . .  to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Think about how helpful it would be to have a couple friends who consistently encouraged you to become more like Christ. How much strength would it give you to have someone speaking words to help you be more like Christ in specific situations in Continue Reading →

close friends

Do You Desire Deeper Friendships? Part One

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Do you ever feel like you want some close spiritual friends you can tell your life to? Are you feeling a hole in your spiritual life where close friends should be? This is because we were designed to have close spiritual friends in mutually edifying relationships where we can reveal our true self and be channels of God’s grace. The New Testament refers to this as fellowship; the Greek word is koinonia, which literally means participation. What does the New Testament teach about fellowship? One of the principles we observe in the Apostle Paul’s life is that we should support one another especially in troubled times. This is stated plainly in Galatians 5:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (ESV). This implies that we actually let other people know what our burdens are! Think about how often we don’t do this. How often do you Continue Reading →

discernment

Releasing God’s Spirit In The Body Of Christ Through Discernment – Part 2

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Over the years I have experienced impressions through others (and myself) that were clearly from God and helpful and others that weren’t from God. Using reliable principles of discernment has been very important even if there is a long learning curve. Last week we looked at the biblical idea of discernment and how discernment provides a safe place to release the Holy Spirit. This week we will look at some basic principles of discernment we can apply to hearing from God. In general, if a perception fits with the New Testament, especially the fruits of the Spirit, then we can consider if it might be from God. Otherwise, we shouldn’t consider it. This is probably the most basic principle of discernment. It is especially important to keep in mind the virtues that come from the Holy Spirit. Anything from God will reflect His good nature. Just because a perception is Continue Reading →

discernment

Releasing God’s Spirit In The Body Of Christ Through Discernment – Part 1

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One of the questions I ask people before I give spiritual direction is whether they are open to supernatural ministry. This is because I sometimes invite God to give them leadings in a direction session. The most common response is something to the effect that they are cautious but open as long as there is some discernment or wisdom applied to the situation. I suspect that the majority of Christians have this view and it is a good one. Scripture is clear that discernment should be exercised in spiritual matters, not just spiritual gifts. Phil 1:9 states: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Thus, Paul desires that believers grow in discernment, presumably for every area of their spiritual life. I Cor. 2:14-15a further explains “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for Continue Reading →

city

Our Future Perfect Community

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Do you long for the perfect community where humans live in complete harmony and mutual support? One of the most fascinating passages in Scripture is Revelation 21:1 -22:5 where our destiny is explained. One part of this destiny is the idea that we will live in a city, the New Jerusalem. This will be our future community. God will dwell with us in this city: “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Rev. 22:3b-4. And Rev. 21:3 emphasizes this by stating it three times! The New Jerusalem is also the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9). Thus, we have the mysterious description of the New Jerusalem as both the Bride and the dwelling place of the Bride and God! Perhaps these are two different ways of Continue Reading →