Church services are tame; but 1st century worship meetings were wild. (See Acts.) When Jesus got connected to religion in people’s minds, Christianity became passive. Religion is tame, but follow & obey the risen Jesus & you’ll never be the same! Team Jesus is a spiritual restaurant where you “taste & see that the Lord is good.” Flying spiritually solo will keep you so low, but Team Jesus will lift you up! Church leaves people alone in their thoughts. Team Jesus connects their hearts.

Christ-followers are meant to soar in the Spirit together — not to have our wings clipped. Pain is an opportunity to let go of the flesh & embrace the Spirit. Meeting with others while being intoxicated on God’s New Wine will ease your pain and fill you with joy radiating from within.

Spiritual knowledge without spiritual life is powerless. “Send the fire, today!” When we won’t mind Christ and do what He says; we don’t have “the mind of Christ.” Spiritual reality is infinitely more important than head knowledge or physical appearance. Let’s bring the risen Jesus out from behind the shadows of lofty religious leaders.

Good people obey God joyfully. Too often I obey reluctantly & grudgingly. God uses whatever we offer Him, but life is much more effective when come together with others and obey Him.

God’s looking for spiritual laborers, not passive attendees. Jesus said: “The laborers are few.” Let’s ordain all Christ-followers as ministers! To learn to be spiritual laborers, we need hands-on training, not just lecture. Besides “praying for laborers,” let’s open up church & let people speak out for God. Most Christ-followers have heard enough to change the world. Now let’s do it! But let’s always remember that boldness without a kind heart is meanness.

Learn more in the book Beyond Church or visit The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St. in Nashville, Tennessee (37207) on Sundays @ 10:45 am.